A/HRC/42/12 75. Germany recognized the efforts of Costa Rica to protect children, including the adoption of the Improper Relationships Act. It encouraged Costa Rica to implement that Act. 76. Greece commended Costa Rica on its efforts to promote gender equality, including the establishment of a gender-balanced Cabinet in the Government, and welcomed the ratification of international human rights instruments. 77. Guyana commended Costa Rica for the submission of its reports to the treaty bodies and for its Executive Decree establishing a mechanism for consultation with indigenous peoples. It also welcomed the Labour Law Reform Act. 78. Haiti welcomed the efforts of Costa Rica to protect the environment and promote the rights of people of African descent. It congratulated Costa Rica on its leadership in promoting the International Decade for People of African Descent. 79. The Holy See appreciated the role of Costa Rica in promoting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It also recognized the efforts to enhance quality education, women’s participation in social life and the protection of migrants and refugees. 80. Honduras praised the establishment by Costa Rica of a mechanism for consultation with indigenous people and the adoption of the national policy for a society free from racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. 81. Iceland welcomed the initiatives of Costa Rica to promote gender equality, to eradicate gender-based violence, to create the Presidential Commissioner for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex issues and to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 82. India welcomed the adoption of the National Policy for Effective Equality between Women and Men and the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. It noted the considerable progress made in the field of education. 83. Indonesia welcomed the efforts of Costa Rica to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through an inclusive development agenda and noted with appreciation the publishing of the National Plan for Development and Public Investment. 84. The Islamic Republic of Iran highlighted the fact that steps should be taken to ensure that the needs of minors and women were taken into account in detention centres, and noted the lack of a legal framework to combat discrimination. 85. Iraq welcomed the adoption by Costa Rica of the National Plan for Development and Public Investment, the national labour strategy and the Labour Law Reform Act. It encouraged Costa Rica to take further steps to promote human rights. 86. The delegation of Costa Rica stated that the Government considered the human rights of children and adolescents a priority, as reflected in its National Agenda for Children and Adolescents 2015–2020. The Agenda included action in areas such as education, family and health and promoted equality and non-discrimination. 87. Costa Rica had reduced the school dropout rate and was working to eradicate the worst forms of child labour, trafficking in children and commercial sexual exploitation. In 2015, the Government had launched the “Educating for a new citizenship” policy to promote respect for cultural, ethnic and gender differences. 88. The Inter-institutional Commission for Follow-up to and Implementation of International Human Rights Obligations had been strengthened. It was composed of more than 25 institutions and functioned with the participation of civil society. The delegation thanked Paraguay and the United Nations for their assistance with installing the information technology platform to facilitate follow-up to the implementation of recommendations from international and regional human rights mechanisms (SIMORE). 89. Ireland commended the progress made by Costa Rica towards guaranteeing equality for and preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. It recognized the challenges posed by increased levels of migration from neighbouring countries and the steps taken to address them. 8