A/HRC/21/3 24. Regarding women’s rights, Morocco has taken several measures to promote gender equality. It has combated gender-based violence and gender has been taken into account in public budgets, access to public services and facilities, and participation in the management of public affairs. In the field of group rights, several measures have been taken to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities, children, migrants and refugees. 25. Morocco underlined the importance of the progress achieved and that it would continue its efforts to accomplish further reforms in order to consolidate the rule of law and respect of all human rights. To that effect, it expected more support from the international community. Morocco hoped that this progress would be crowned by its election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2014–2016. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 26. During the interactive dialogue, 93 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 27. Sri Lanka welcomed the granting of the constitutional status to the National Human Rights Council and the adoption of the National Action Plan for Democracy and Human Rights. It also praised Morocco for its efforts to protect the rights of women and children. Sri Lanka made recommendations. 28. Sudan appreciated the constitutional measures adopted by Morocco to strengthen the institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. It welcomed the national dialogue established with NGOs dealing with human rights issues. Sudan made recommendations. 29. Swaziland commended Morocco for its comprehensive national report and for the positive developments that have occurred in that country since the adoption of its first report to the universal periodic review, as a result of a peaceful transition to a more egalitarian status quo. Swaziland made a recommendation. 30. Sweden welcomed the political reforms that have been initiated in Morocco. It also welcomed the release of persons imprisoned for expressing opinions. It was concerned about recent measures to censor and restrict press freedom and to suppress freedom of expression via the Internet. Sweden was also concerned that people do not fully enjoy freedom of expression, association and assembly in matters pertaining to the Western Sahara. It made a recommendation. 31. Switzerland expressed concern over the persistence of violations of human rights committed by the security forces, in particular in the context of peaceful demonstrations. It referred to the work of the Equality and Reconciliation Commission and the progress made on gender equality. Switzerland made recommendations. 32. Thailand congratulated Morocco on the guarantees of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the new Constitution, ratification of international human rights instruments, withdrawal of its reservations to CEDAW, establishment of a national human rights institution and reform of justice. Thailand made recommendations. 33. Togo noted that, since the first UPR cycle, Morocco has ratified several international instruments including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol and the OPCAT. It noted that Morocco has also lifted its reservations on CEDAW. 34. Turkey welcomed the constitutional status awarded to the National Human Rights Council, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Economic and Social Council. It welcomed the withdrawal of certain reservations to CEDAW. Turkey made recommendations. 6