A/HRC/43/2 destination. It was asserted that such opacity provided a wide-open door for embezzlement. It concluded that the inadequate commitment of the Government to abolishing corruption continued to hinder the advancement of human rights and called on the Human Rights Council to pay closer attention to transparency, or the lack thereof, noting that an ineffective government would be unable to implement its commitments, especially those on human rights protection. 733. Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme congratulated Madagascar for the acceptance of the majority of the recommendations as well as the success of its peaceful electoral process of 2018-2019. It noted that the country had embarked on substantial reforms for the effective implementation of the recommendations resulting from the second cycle of the universal periodic review. It welcomed the enactment of laws to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to establish the National Independent Human Rights Commission and the National Reconciliation Council, to fight against genderbased violence, and to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It also appreciated the launching of a national awareness campaign to fight against acts of popular revenge. However, it also expressed concern about persisting poor detention conditions, prison overcrowding, lack of hygiene and food in the prisons, as well as the exploitation and abuse of detainees by prison guards. It urged Madagascar to redouble its efforts to eradicate corruption, the exploitation of children in mines, sexual violence, illiteracy, social disparities, exclusion, and poverty in rural areas. Finally, it also invited Madagascar to develop a national strategy aiming at the rational and sustainable exploitation of natural resources in accordance with the principles of the Sustaining Development Goals. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 734. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 203 recommendations received, 174 enjoy the support of Madagascar, and 29 are noted. 735. In conclusion, the delegation of Madagascar expressed its appreciation to the Human Rights Council for undertaking the universal periodic review of Madagascar, through which the Malagasy Government had been able to demonstrate the efforts that it had deployed in the implementation of human rights in Madagascar over the four previous years. Indeed, Madagascar had presented its third report in November of 2019, and, as a result, had received 203 recommendations, 163 had been accepted, 11 noted, and the others under reservation in accordance with domestic legislation and Malagasy cultural mores. 736. The delegation stated that the challenges were certainly numerous, the field of human rights being very broad, but that the Malagasy Government wished to reiterate its firm will to continue its efforts to ensure the rights of “all humans in all ways” for its whole population. Madagascar would even dare to count to this end on the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, national and international. The delegation thanked the technical partners in Madagascar for working with the government and welcomed their further cooperation. 737. The delegation also thanked all Member States that had addressed their recommendations to the Malagasy Government in order to improve the human rights situation in Madagascar. Madagascar takes into consideration these recommendations, in accordance with its national legislation and the resources and priorities of the Government. Iraq 738. The review of Iraq was held on 11 November 2019 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions and decisions, and was based on the following documents: 116