A/HRC/42/2 Rica to continue its efforts to protect human rights of indigenous people and people of African descent and stressed the importance of the family as the main element of society. 753. Gabon congratulated Costa Rica on its constant efforts towards the promotion and protection of human rights. It noted with satisfaction the consolidation of the normative and institutional framework regarding human rights and the implementation of strategies to fight against poverty and reduce prison overcrowding. Additionally, it noted positively the measures taken by Costa Rica to promote the rights of women and children and the rights of people deprived of their liberty. 754. India appreciated the constructive engagement of Costa Rica with the universal periodic review and its acceptance of the great majority of the recommendations received. Moreover, it congratulated Costa Rica for presenting various measures, particularly on combating poverty and promoting the rights of women and children and to a healthy environment. 755. The Islamic Republic of Iran encouraged Costa Rica to double its efforts to promote and protect human rights, particularly through the elimination of all forms of discrimination and racism. It also noted the need for enhancing promotion and protection of the rights of children and adolescents, including through the planning, evaluation, monitoring and the reinforcement of public policies related to children. 756. Iraq thanked Costa Rica for the report presented on the situation of human rights in Costa Rica and for accepting its two recommendations on reducing the gender wage gap as well as poverty. It encouraged Costa Rica to implement effectively all recommendations accepted in accordance with its international obligations. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 757. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Costa Rica, seven other stakeholders made statements. 758. The International Volunteerism Organization for Women Education and Development, in a joint statement co-sponsored by Instituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco, welcomed the acceptance by Costa Rica of the recommendations 111.136, 111.176, 111.114 and called for their prompt and effective implementation. In particular, they called on Costa Rica to pay particular attention to a number of areas, including raising awareness of women’s rights, especially in rural areas; guaranteeing support to poor families, especially those belonging to minority groups; ensuring more comprehensive measures to prevent child labour; and increasing the education budget. 759. Conselho Indigenista Missionário noted that, for decades, Costa Rica had denied autonomy and self-determination to indigenous peoples and had imposed on them institutions that ignored traditional forms of indigenous self-government. It also stated that the 2018 law on access to justice of indigenous people was not being systematically implemented. Finally, it highlighted that the investigation of the killing of indigenous leader Sergio Rojas had been ineffective; that indigenous women continued to be the most discriminated group; and that Costa Rica continued to violate its obligation to restore indigenous lands occupied illegally. 760. The Centre for Global Nonkilling stated that Costa Rica stood as a clear example of sustainable life for all. As an environmentally friendly, non-militarised country and a peace champion, Costa Rica was a clear example of respect for human rights. It stated that, with little more efforts in the area of prevention of homicides, Costa Rica would become one of the first non-killing countries. 761. The International Lesbian and Gay Association noted the progress of Costa Rica on LGBTI rights and the adoption of various presidential decrees that guaranteed inclusion and 113

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