A/HRC/42/2 783. China expressed appreciation for the efforts of Equatorial Guinea to end poverty, develop education and health, promote gender equality, and guarantee the rights of women and children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. It thanked Equatorial Guinea for accepting its recommendations and expressed the hope that the Government would continue to implement the National Economic and Social Development Plan for Horizon 2020 and to promote sustainable economic and social development, and further protect women’s rights and continue to combat violence against women. 784. Cuba thanked Equatorial Guinea for accepting the recommendations it had made, in particular with regard to continuing with efforts to improve access to and the quality of health care and education, particularly in rural areas, including the expansion of literacy programmes. It urged Equatorial Guinea to effectively implement the recommendations it had accepted. 785. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stated that the interactive dialogue with Equatorial Guinea had been a useful opportunity to understand the country’s policies and experiences on the promotion and protection of human rights. It took note of the report of the Working Group, as well as the additional information provided by the delegation and was encouraged by the acceptance by Equatorial Guinea of many of the recommendations received, including those it had made. 786. Djibouti thanked Equatorial Guinea for the additional information provided, which highlighted its efforts and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Djibouti congratulated Equatorial Guinea for its acceptance of many of the recommendations it had received during its third universal periodic review, including the two recommendations that Djibouti had made. 787. Egypt commended Equatorial Guinea for accepting the majority of the recommendations it had received, including the two recommendations that Egypt had made on the promotion of the right to health and the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary. Egypt indicated that the country’s report demonstrated the efforts made for the protection of human rights and commended Equatorial Guinea for its accession to a number on international human rights instruments. 788. Gabon congratulated Equatorial Guinea on its concrete efforts to guarantee civil and political rights and social and cultural rights, noting that these efforts had led to major reforms at the judicial and administrative levels, as well as the creation of bodies for the promotion and protection of human rights. Gabon commended Equatorial Guinea for the follow up and implementation of the recommendations accepted during its universal periodic review. 789. Iraq expressed appreciation to Equatorial Guinea for having accepted its recommendations on taking measures to combat domestic violence and making efforts to ensure access to education. Iraq commended Equatorial Guinea for accepting the majority of the recommendations it had received and expressed the hope it would implement accepted recommendation in line with its international obligations. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 790. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Equatorial Guinea, seven other stakeholders made statements. 791. Centre Europe-tiers monde expressed satisfaction at the acceptance by Equatorial Guinea of a high number of recommendations. It noted, nevertheless, that the country refused to accept visits by special procedure mandate holders and to ratify fundamental international instruments. It indicated that the authorities should investigate and identify those responsible for abuses and human rights violations, including alleged extrajudicial executions, torture, arbitrary arrests and the detention of journalists, civil society activists and members of the 117