A/HRC/42/2 419. Iraq expressed its gratitude to Albania for accepting its recommendations concerning stepping up efforts to combat trafficking of human beings, particularly women and girls, and adopting additional measures to protect migrants and asylum seekers. It commended the acceptance by Albania of most recommendations submitted to it and hoped that Albania would implement the recommendations it accepted according to its international commitments and obligations. 420. UNHCR, delivering a statement on behalf of the United Nations country team, noted the significant efforts made by Albania in areas including LBGTI, children, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, asylum and migration and to reduce the risk of statelessness. It also highlighted the efforts of Albania on women’s rights, gender equality and gender-responsive budgeting and the National Strategy for Gender Equality. It encouraged implementation of policies against violence against women and girls. It also welcomed the justice reform and encouraged the rapid establishment of the new justice system structures. It further noted the need to ensure the independence of media, to provide the Ombudsperson with adequate resources and to pay increased attention to environmental rights. 421. Pakistan commended the Government of Albania for accepting majority of the recommendations, including its own recommendations, which were made during the session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in May 2019. It also appreciated the efforts made by Albania for promoting and protecting the rights of women and children. 422. The Russian Federation noted that its recommendations were accepted by Albania and expressed hope that, at the next cycle of the universal periodic review, Albania would inform on the measures on the penitentiary system reform and on the effective investigation of cases of trafficking in human beings and punishment of perpetrators. It hoped that, in the near future, Albania would adopt a strategy against blood feud and its root causes and that it would introduce a ban on child marriages. 423. Senegal noted with satisfaction the renewed commitment of Albania to the adoption of legislative and institutional measures relating to human rights. It welcomed the willingness of Albania to strengthen positive action for human rights, as evidenced by the ratification of the main international human rights instruments and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It also stressed the efforts of Albania to bring its national legislation in line with international obligations in the areas of protection of children, domestic violence, minorities and persons with disabilities. 4. General comments made by other stakeholders 424. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Albania, 10 other stakeholders made statements. 425. The Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism requested the Government of Albania to reconsider granting refugee status to the members of the group MEK (People’s Mojahedin Organization) and pay attention to the demands of those affected by the actions of MEK. It noted that granting refugee status to terrorists was a violation of international law. 426. The International Lesbian and Gay Association commended the acceptance by Albania of nine recommendations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics and supporting the mandate of the Independent Expert on these issues. However, it regretted that Albania had noted the recommendations relating to amending its Family Code to provide legal recognition for same-sex partnerships. There was still no legal gender recognition available in the country, as well as no trans-affirmative health services. Intersex persons remained legally invisible and unprotected. It urged Albania to make public its position on various issues related to the rights of LGBTI persons. 70