A/HRC/37/6 44. Indonesia was encouraged by the ratification of a number of international human rights instruments, the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, and the introduction of vaccinations against HIV infections. 45. Iraq commended the creation of legal assistance offices for women, efforts to increase the representation of women in public life, the establishment of special courts for children, the adoption of a national strategy for reproductive health, and the strategy to combat HIV/AIDS. 46. Ireland welcomed the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the extending of a standing invitation to special procedures. It expressed concerns at reports of arrests and harassment of journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders. It welcomed the decriminalization of media offences in the Communications Code, of 2016, but noted that certain provisions unduly restricted freedom of expression. 47. Italy welcomed the adoption of legal provisions against domestic violence and rape, efforts in the fight against poverty, and the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 48. Lebanon appreciated efforts to reduce poverty, to combat trafficking in persons and trafficking in children and to fight epidemics. 49. Libya commended measures taken for judicial protection, and in the health and education sectors. 50. Luxembourg welcomed the referral to the International Criminal Court which had led to the sending of a mission by the Court in June 2017, and the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It noted remaining challenges in the area of freedoms of expression, assembly and association. 51. Madagascar welcomed the adoption of the National Health Development Plan, the work with civil society on raising awareness of human rights, and the capacity-building campaigns in police stations and places of detention — particularly regarding torture and the protection of minors in conflict with the law. 52. Malaysia highlighted the development and adoption of the National Policy on Health and Reproduction, the National Health Development Plan and the national strategic plan to combat HIV/AIDS. It noted with concern the comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding the disproportionately high number of people living with HIV/AIDS, the high rate of mother-to-child transmission and the limited availability of HIV/AIDS-related services. 53. The delegation of Gabon explained that, in 1990, the governing and opposition parties had come together at a national conference and drafted the current Constitution of Gabon. Since then, any provision or piece of legislation had been adopted only in accordance with the Constitution. In the area of human rights, Gabon was making efforts to meet the requirements of the conventions it had signed and to implement the provisions to guarantee those rights. 54. Freedom of the press was protected in Gabon and was safeguarded by the new Communications Code, under which journalists were no longer subject to criminal penalties for an offence against the legislation on the press (délit de presse) or offence of opinion (délit d’opinion). 55. Gender equality was also observed in all government institutions and in Parliament, with the share of women fixed at 30 per cent. The quota would be raised to 50 per cent. 56. With regard to the post-election violence, Gabon had already referred the matter to the International Criminal Court and the authorities were awaiting the Court’s conclusions. As a result, it was not necessary to open a second international inquiry, as mentioned by the European Union. At the national level, the matter had also been referred to the public prosecutor, investigating judges and the courts. 6 GE.17-23556