A/HRC/44/6 97. Australia commended the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for its commitment to improving social and economic rights and increasing engagement with special procedure mandate holders. 98. Azerbaijan welcomed the increased cooperation with treaty bodies and special procedure mandate holders and measures aimed at building an environment for the enjoyment of all human rights. 99. Bangladesh noted the initiatives taken to amend and adopt several laws and policies, expressed appreciation for the country’s economic growth and applauded the country’s submission of reports to treaty bodies. 100. Belarus commended the strengthening of human rights legislation and the adoption of a number of strategies, including on sustainable development and protection of motherhood and child rights. 101. Belgium commended the country’s cooperation with two United Nations special rapporteurs and expressed its conviction that more progress could be achieved in line with human rights treaties. 102. Benin welcomed the legislative and institutional reforms and the adoption of a strategy and plans of action on mothers and children and against violence against women and children. 103. Bhutan noted the efforts made in streamlining the domestic laws in line with international treaties and congratulated the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for progress in promoting and protecting the rights of women and children. 104. Brazil appreciated the preliminary results from the national action plan for mothers and children and encouraged the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to continue to implement measures to reduce maternal mortality. 105. Brunei Darussalam commended the adoption of national plans on mothers and children and the introduction of a system in which education up to lower secondary school was mandatory and free. 106. Bulgaria appreciated the progress made in strengthening the legal and policy framework for the rights of women and children, and encouraged the country to make further efforts in the area of child protection. 107. Cambodia applauded the country’s impressive economic growth, anti-corruption legislation, and efforts to engage with ASEAN and United Nations human rights mechanisms. 108. Canada recognized the commitment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations mechanisms. It encouraged the country to reconsider Decree No. 238, which limited the activities of civil society. 109. Chile welcomed the national action plan on the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children, and the ratification of international conventions on torture and persons with disabilities. 110. China commended the efforts made in improving people’s living standards, developing education and public health services, and protecting the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. 111. Egypt commended the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for the establishment of national committees for the empowerment of women and children, persons with disabilities and older persons, and on anti-trafficking efforts. 112. The delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic noted that in order to better facilitate the lawful religious activities of its citizens, the country had amended Decree No. 92, on the management and protection of religious activities, and had adopted Decree No. 315, in 2016. 113. Trafficking in persons was a criminal offence under the law against trafficking in persons and the Penal Code. The Government had actively focused on combating 9