A/HRC/31/5 40. Ukraine welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. Further international assistance was needed to help Lebanon meet the challenge represented by the flow of Syrian refugees. 41. The United Arab Emirates noted the achievements of Lebanon in the legislative and constitutional areas, in developing national plans and in establishing and developing government agencies to promote and protect human rights. 42. The United Kingdom urged Lebanon to investigate allegations of torture. It was concerned about the difficulties that Syrian refugees faced to obtain and renew their legal documents. 43. The United States remained concerned about prison and detention centre conditions, the risk of exploitation of domestic migrant workers and their exclusion from protection under the Labour Code, and the potential gender discrimination inherent in several religionbased personal status laws. 44. Uruguay praised the adoption of the 2014-2019 National Human Rights Plan, the National Plan for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities and the National Action Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour. 45. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela acknowledged the commitment of Lebanon to upholding human rights, despite the Israeli military aggression against its people and civil infrastructure, which had lasted almost half a century. 46. Yemen noted the adoption of the National Human Rights Plan, the bill on an independent human rights commission, the protection of vulnerable groups and the National Action Plan to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour. 47. Afghanistan appreciated the efforts to spread the culture of human rights. It encouraged Lebanon to ensure that counter-terrorism measures were in line with human rights standards. 48. Albania welcomed the 2014-2019 National Human Rights Plan and the law to protect women against domestic violence. 49. Algeria commended Lebanon for its progress on economic, social and cultural rights, measures taken to empower women and persons with disabilities, the proposed creation of a national human rights institution and the amendments to legislation on torture. 50. Argentina congratulated Lebanon on its legislation guaranteeing freedom of religion and allowing religious diversity. It recognized efforts to guarantee the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. 51. Armenia welcomed the measures to combat trafficking in persons and commended Lebanon for its policy aimed at promoting diversity and tolerance between its different ethnic and religious groups. 52. Australia noted the adoption of legislation on domestic violence and recognized the country’s generous response to the refugees it had received. Australia was concerned at the reports of torture. 53. Austria praised Lebanon for hosting some 1.5 million refugees, but was concerned that the situation of refugees and migrants in the country remained precarious in many ways. 54. Bahrain commended the steps taken with regard to the refugee crisis and the efforts made to protect and promote the human rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups. 55. Bangladesh commended Lebanon for hosting a huge number of refugees and continuing to receive foreign workers, despite the fact that the promised international 7