A/HRC/40/15 61. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela commended the ratification of several international treaties, the National Development Plan 2017–2021 regarding public policies in the areas of health, education and improvements to the living environment for the population, and the adoption of policies on the rights of women. 62. Viet Nam welcomed the progress made regarding legal frameworks for human rights and the efforts to ensure equality and protect vulnerable groups, especially in the context of addressing climate change and other environmental issues. 63. Yemen recognized steps taken regarding the strengthening of democracy, the effectiveness of the Government, the reorganization of State institutions, the improvement of the parliamentary system and legal reforms in the areas of women’s rights and youth rights. 64. Zimbabwe noted the reform in the National Human Rights Commission, and the adoption of the National Development Plan with its priorities in the area of human rights, namely to improve the health and education systems and to combat poverty. 65. Afghanistan took note of the progress made in the development of legal and institutional frameworks as well as of the national plans and policies aimed at promoting and protecting human rights values. 66. Algeria hailed national programmes and policies to promote human rights, particularly the National Development Plan and other strategies to reduce poverty. It welcomed measures to end recruitment of children into the armed forces and encouraged further efforts in that area. 67. Angola recognized the precarious security conditions in Chad, and welcomed initiatives to promote peace and security in the Sahel region. Angola also commended efforts to extend access to water. 68. Argentina commended Chad for inviting the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice and the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination to the country. It noted the efforts made by Chad to strengthen the rights of women and children. 69. Australia welcomed legislative measures to ensure equality between men and women and to enable reform of the National Human Rights Commission. However, Australia was concerned about the death penalty, security forces’ use of child labour, torture and arbitrary killings. 70. The Minister of Justice thanked all the delegations that had been willing to intervene with a view to improving human rights conditions in Chad. He took note of the recommendations that had been made in a constructive spirit. All practical steps would be taken to ensure that the various recommendations were implemented in the country. 71. Azerbaijan commended steps taken to implement recommendations in the previous universal periodic review cycle, including a national strategy to combat gender-based violence and promote women’s participation in public affairs. 72. Benin welcomed the various measures and initiatives that the country had adopted with regard to the enjoyment of human rights, including the harmonization of its legal system with international standards, since its last review in 2014. 73. The Plurinational State of Bolivia welcomed and appreciated the ratification of four international human rights instruments. 74. Botswana commended the reform of the National Human Rights Commission, and the amendment of laws, policies and regulations to promote human rights including the National Gender Policy of 2016 and the National Development Plan 2017–2021. 75. Brazil commended the Government for enshrining the principle of equity between women and men in the national Constitution, and for establishing a constitutional ban on female genital mutilation. It encouraged Chad to consider abolishing the death penalty. 8 GE.18-22801