A/HRC/42/4 28. Austria commended the ratification of international instruments and the adoption of laws and action plans. It noted that progress remained to be made in the area of property rights, the eradication of corruption and the social integration of minorities. It was concerned about reports of the persistence of domestic violence against women and children. 29. Belgium commended Albania for the amendment of the law on domestic violence and the adoption of the law on the rights and protection of the child. It believed, however, that there was room for improvement, in particular regarding the fight against corruption and women’s and children’s rights. 30. Brazil welcomed the constitutional amendments of 2016 and encouraged Albania to improve the procedures to issue identification and travel documents for refugees and asylum seekers. It also encouraged Albania to promote social inclusion to address the specific needs of vulnerable populations and to make progress in the fight against trafficking in persons. 31. Brunei Darussalam welcomed progressive steps to combat child exploitation and welcomed the work to develop a national action plan for the protection of children from economic exploitation. It commended Albania for the introduction of the National Agenda for Children’s Rights. 32. Bulgaria commended the steps taken to reinforce the protection of the human rights of persons belonging to national minorities. It noted with appreciation that the law on the protection of national minorities had recognized for the first time all national minorities in the country, including the Bulgarian national minority. 33. Canada welcomed measures taken to strengthen equality between men and women. It noted, however, that additional measures could be taken to ensure the full respect for the fundamental rights of all. 34. Chile welcomed the implementation of the National Agenda for Children’s Rights, the progress on legislation to eliminate discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and the implementation of the third National Strategy on Gender Equality 2016–2020. It also welcomed the ratification of core human rights instruments and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 35. China welcomed the positive promotion of social and economic development and the State’s commitment to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion and protection of human rights. It noted that Albania had strengthened the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, striven to eliminate domestic violence, raised the level of compulsory education and actively fought trafficking in persons, formulating relevant national strategies. 36. Costa Rica acknowledged the progress in judicial reform and the amendments to the Electoral Code to increase the participation of women. It noted that Albania should strengthen services for women victims of violence and their families and improve access to housing, health care and education for minorities. 37. Croatia positively noted the determination of Albania to continue the fight against corruption and organized crime. It welcomed the adoption of the law on the rights and protection of the child and invited Albania to further improve the protection of children and victims of trafficking in persons. 38. Cyprus welcomed steps taken to implement the recommendations from the previous cycle of the universal periodic review, notably the amendments to the Criminal Code regarding gender violence and the adoption of the National Strategy on Gender Equality. It congratulated Albania for signing and ratifying international and regional conventions. 39. Czechia appreciated the adoption of the Code of Criminal Justice for Children, the Juvenile Justice Strategy, the National Strategy on the Fight against Human Trafficking, the National Strategy on Gender Equality and legislation on persons with disabilities, domestic violence and the integration of Roma. 5