A/HRC/27/16 29. Austria welcomed the adoption of the national action plan on violence against women. It wanted to know what further measures Nicaragua intended to take regarding the overcrowding in prisons and the hostile environment for human rights defenders and journalists. Austria made recommendations. 30. Azerbaijan commended poverty eradication, the National Human Development Plan and normative and institutional strengthening, and welcomed the accession of Nicaragua to the conventions on statelessness, its laws on gender-based violence and its criminal code reform. Azerbaijan made recommendations. 31. Bangladesh noted the Zero Hunger, Family Garden and Food Production Voucher initiatives and measures to reduce poverty. Many challenges remained, including climate change and natural disasters, and international support should be provided. 32. Portugal welcomed measures to fulfil the human right to education. It remained concerned about the high percentage of disabled children excluded from the school system in Nicaragua. Portugal made recommendations. 33. The Plurinational State of Bolivia commended institutional human rights progress, efforts to eradicate poverty and the attainment of the World Food Summit target on reducing the number of undernourished persons. It made recommendations. 34. Brazil noted the National Human Development Plan and the Comprehensive Act against Violence towards Women. Criminal code reform had criminalized gender-based violence, but amendments had weakened victim protection. Brazil made recommendations. 35. Canada asked Nicaragua to explain what measures were being taken to guarantee access to justice and protection from gender-based violence. It welcomed the progress made on a number of economic and social rights. Canada made recommendations. 36. Chile noted the National Human Development Plan. It applauded the ratification of ILO Conventions Nos. 169 and 189. It recalled previous recommendations relating to the rights of women and children. Chile made recommendations. 37. China commended the establishment and implementation of the 2013-2017 National Human Development Plan, progress in health, education and infrastructure construction, and the attention given to protecting the rights of women, children and the elderly. China made recommendations. 38. Costa Rica noted the collaboration with special procedures, and improved health care and education. It expressed concern regarding the conditions for detainees, especially foreigners, which should be improved. It commended the visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. Costa Rica made recommendations. 39. Cuba recognized efforts towards sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, increased good quality employment, reduced social inequality, improved quality of life and protection of women’s and children’s rights. Cuba made recommendations. 40. The Czech Republic welcomed legislative advances, with particular regard to legislation to combat gender-based violence, which should be better implemented. Freedom of expression was not fully enjoyed. It made recommendations. 41. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended efforts towards sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, more good quality employment, reduced social inequality and an improved quality of life. It made recommendations. 42. Denmark was concerned about the ban on all forms of abortion and reports of rape, torture and abuse of detainees. It commended the ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Denmark made recommendations. 6