A/HRC/32/9 development of the Recommendations Monitoring System and efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. 14. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela highlighted progress made to combat poverty, address domestic violence, and improve access to basic and secondary education and health services. 15. Australia noted that further measures were required to protect land reform advocates from intimidation and violence, to investigate gender-based violence and to guarantee protection from all forms of discrimination. 16. Austria expressed concern at the high number of journalists, human rights defenders and lawyers who had been attacked or killed, and the high rates of child pregnancy and maternal mortality. 17. Azerbaijan commended Paraguay for its efforts to strengthen the human rights framework, protect children and persons with disabilities, reduce poverty and raise people’s standard of living. 18. Belgium welcomed the designation of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture. It noted that in certain areas, such as the rights of the child and those of women and girls, there was room for progress. 19. Benin welcomed the adoption of laws and policies on forced disappearances, the upgrading the Secretariat for Women to a Ministry, and the National Health Policy. 20. The Plurinational State of Bolivia recognized the progress that had been made to improve human rights since the first review, specifically the narrowing of the socioeconomic gap and the implementation of the Recommendations Monitoring System. 21. Greece commended Paraguay for its acceptance of all the recommendations from the first review, the National Development Plan to 2030, the National Policy on Children and Adolescents and the abolition of the death penalty. 22. Regarding indigenous rights and land settlement, Canada was concerned that the process of expropriation approved by Congress in 2014 had not yet been implemented to comply with the rulings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. 23. Chad encouraged Paraguay to reinforce its normative and institutional framework with a view to improving enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 24. Chile highlighted the creation of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture and the adoption of several national laws and plans promoting the rights of women, children and people with disabilities. 25. Colombia highlighted the establishment of the Recommendations Monitoring System and reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with Paraguay to address trafficking in persons. 26. Costa Rica welcomed the establishment of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture and the Recommendations Monitoring System. However, it was concerned about cases of violence against and murders of journalists and human rights defenders. 27. Cuba recognized the efforts of Paraguay to eradicate poverty and uphold the economic, political, social and cultural rights of women living in rural areas with a view to their development and empowerment. 28. Djibouti acknowledged the progress made by Paraguay since the first review cycle to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework for the protection and promotion of human rights. 5