A/HRC/42/13 47. Uganda commended the State for the progress made in protecting human rights but noted with concern the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS, especially among young people, and encouraged the Government to strengthen its efforts to tackle that scourge. 48. Ukraine noted of the temporary amnesty on the death penalty. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to strengthen its efforts towards guaranteeing gender equality and women’s rights by taking effective steps to eliminate domestic violence and all forms of sexual abuse. 49. The United Kingdom urged Equatorial Guinea to build on efforts to tackle human trafficking. It remained concerned at the limited human rights progress since the country’s 2014 review and noted the persistence of severe restrictions on democratic space. 50. The United States remained concerned by reports of arbitrary detention and violence by security forces, including alleged extrajudicial killings and the use of torture. It urged the Government to end the intimidation of civil society, journalists and political opposition members. 51. Uruguay acknowledged the efforts made to ratify international instruments and urged Equatorial Guinea to continue ratifying other human rights conventions and enhancing its efforts to ensure human rights for all persons without any discrimination. 52. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela commended the State for the increase in access to basic services, action taken in support of families of persons with disabilities with limited resources, the construction of university campuses and the A Roof for All Major Programme, which had delivered thousands of homes. 53. Zambia raised concerns regarding female prisoners vulnerable to sexual assault and sexual violence by prison guards and fellow prisoners. It was also concerned at the continued harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents. 54. Zimbabwe acknowledged the adoption of the National Economic and Social Development Plan for Horizon 2020. It highlighted the budgetary allocations to the social sector, including the construction of hospitals, polyclinics and education and health-care centres. 55. Algeria expressed appreciation for the State’s accession to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its efforts to promote economic, social and cultural rights through the National Economic and Social Development Plan for Horizon 2020. 56. Angola noted efforts made to align the national legislative framework with the country’s international human rights obligations. It welcomed the fight against corruption and commended the State for its efforts to diversify the national economy. 57. Argentina welcomed the creation in June 2018 of the Intersectoral Technical Committee in order to establish an inclusive process to follow up on the implementation of review recommendations. 58. Australia was deeply concerned about the narrowing political space. It urged Equatorial Guinea to institute legislative change, and to bring domestic law into compliance with international human rights obligations. 59. Belgium expressed appreciation for the efforts that Equatorial Guinea had made to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle. However, several major sources of concern remained. 60. Benin welcomed measures taken with a view to strengthening the regulatory and institutional framework, particularly the adoption of a national plan to combat poverty and regulatory measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities. 61. The Plurinational State of Bolivia noted and welcomed efforts to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 6