A/HRC/30/9 Elimination of Gender-based and Domestic Violence and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. 36. Timor-Leste appreciated the measures taken by Andorra to face human rights challenges, such as the establishment of the National Equality Commission to address anti-discrimination issues and the adoption of a bill on the elimination of gender -based violence and domestic violence. 37. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commended the adoption of the Labour Relations Code that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, the establishment of the National Equality Commission and the work done with regard to the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. It encouraged further action in those areas and hoped that Andorra would ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 38. The United States of America commended Andorra for its exemplary human rights record and longstanding commitment to democracy and the promotion of human rights. However, it was concerned that Andorra had not yet developed or implemented all the mechanisms necessary for the protection of the rights of workers, including laws, resources, investigations, remediation and penalties. It also noted that the law did not provide for an independent mechanism to investigate abuses and killings by the security force and that there was no official status for faiths other than Catholicism. 39. Uruguay noted the recent ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It also noted the recent approval of the law on gender-based and domestic violence and that a national commission on the prevention of violence had been established. Uruguay welcomed the multidisciplinary commission to combat gender-based and domestic violence. 40. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stressed the political will of Andorra to implement the recommendations accepted during the first universal periodic review, despite the economic crisis. It underscored the strengthening of the legislative framework for social and health services, which completed the management of the Andorra social protection system. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) recognized the progress made in implementing policies to protect the rights of women and to promote their participation in society. It underlined the app roval of significant legislative provisions aimed at eradicating gender-based and domestic violence, which were accompanied by national awareness-raising campaigns on the rights of women. 41. France welcomed the ratification by Andorra of several internati onal conventions, in particular the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), as well as the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuses. It also welcomed the recent legislative amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at prohibiting corporal punishment. 42. Angola commended Andorra for enhancing new developments in the justice sector, which enabled social inclusion of people, regardless of race, social condition or affiliation. It also commended the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It appreciated the establishment of the National Youth Forum, which enabled youth to participate in political and social life. 43. Argentina commended Andorra for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. It voiced and echoed the concern GE.15-11980 7/19