A/HRC/42/2 Disappearance, the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, and fight against human trafficking. 822. Kuwait welcomed the support by Ethiopia of a significant number of recommendations, including the recommendation made by Kuwait. It commended Ethiopia for the efforts taken in the field of human rights, including the adoption and implementation of the National Plan of Action for Human Rights (2016-2020), and efforts in the humanitarian sector, despite the challenges faced by Ethiopia. 823. Libya thanked Ethiopia for its active participation in the universal periodic review process as well as for the information on its promotion and protection of human rights. Libya was pleased with the efforts to promote the rule of law and harmony between groups and communities, as well as efforts to ensure sustainable development. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 824. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Ethiopia, eight other stakeholders made statements. 825. The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defender Project welcomed the political will of the Government to engage on human rights challenges, noting that the climate in the country had drastically improved since the previous universal periodic review. It welcomed the support by Ethiopia for recommendations on ratifying core international human rights instruments to which it was not yet a party. It regretted that Ethiopia had not offered a standing invitation to all Human Rights Council special procedure mandate holders. 826. Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit – COC Nederland noted with concern that, although Ethiopia had recently made commendable strides with regard to fundamental rights and freedoms, LGBT persons continue to live in fear of violence, danger and prosecution. It deplored the prohibition of consensual same-sex activity under the 2005 Criminal Code and expressed its hope that homosexuality will be decriminalized. It called on Ethiopia to ensure that the LGBT community is able to access health services, as this remains a major barrier affecting the quality of life for LGBT persons in the country. It urged Ethiopia to amend its National Road Map for HIV Prevention and other national health policies to include LGBT individuals as “key populations.” 827. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation welcomed the gradual reopening of operational civic space for civil society organizations. It also welcomed the Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Ethiopia and Eritrea, made in the spirit of progressing towards sustainable peace in the region. It noted with concern that institutional and legal impediments for sustained political space prevented the development of a vibrant civil society. It lamented the failure of the Government to provide an adequate response to ethnic tensions across a number of regions. 828. International-Lawyers.org called on the Government to assist displaced persons, noting that the authorities in several regions of the country had destroyed temporary structures. It noted with appreciation that Ethiopia signed the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. It urged the Government to educate the children of displaced persons to improve the equality of access to education. 829. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme commended Ethiopia for taking the necessary political and administrative measures to pardon and grant amnesty to thousands of citizens, especially those who were accused and charged under the counterterrorism law. It drew particular attention to the return of political exiles, the closure of secret detention and torture centres, as well as the lifting of restrictions placed on the media and civil society organizations. However, it was troubled by the situation of displaced persons in 122