A/HRC/43/5 24. Finally, El Salvador acknowledged the importance of the universal periodic review, and thanked States for their recommendations, which El Salvador was committed to analysing. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 25. During the interactive dialogue, 74 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 26. Fiji commended El Salvador for adopting the Environment Act, the Environment Policy and the National Plan on Climate Change, and for its efforts to prevent discrimination in the civil service on the grounds of gender identity or sexual orientation. 27. France welcomed the ratification of several international instruments and measures taken in support of women’s rights. 28. Georgia welcomed the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the withdrawal of reservations to the Convention against Torture. 29. Germany commended El Salvador for extending a standing invitation to special procedure mandate holders, and found its progress in reducing violence and diminishing prison overcrowding encouraging. 30. Guyana urged El Salvador to finalize the Regional Framework Law on the Human Right to Drinking Water and Sanitation, and congratulated the country for tackling racial and gender discrimination. 31. The Holy See particularly noted the initiatives of El Salvador to counteract social problems created by gangs and gang violence, and its progress towards peace and prosperity for all. 32. Honduras congratulated El Salvador on the results achieved through the Ciudades Inclusivas programme, and expressed satisfaction with the country’s leadership in the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children. 33. Iceland welcomed the efforts of El Salvador to achieve gender equality, including the gender-balanced Cabinet, but remained concerned over the continued criminalization of women and girls for obstetric emergencies and miscarriages. 34. India noted the measures taken by El Salvador to promote gender equality and health care, through initiatives such as the Comprehensive and Integrated Health Services Networks and the National System for Substantive Equality. 35. Indonesia appreciated the progress made by El Salvador to meet the recommendations delivered during the second review cycle. 36. Iraq welcomed the adoption by El Salvador of new legislation and plans aimed at harmonizing the national legal framework with international human rights standards. 37. Ireland acknowledged the accession by El Salvador to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and encouraged the passing of legislation to ensure its implementation. 38. Italy welcomed improvements for more effective protection and non-discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, as well as the appointment of a new attorney general for the protection of human rights. 39. Japan appreciated the steps taken by El Salvador to promote women’s and children’s rights, but remained concerned by reports of violence perpetrated by gangs, which included homicide and vandalism in schools. 40. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic congratulated El Salvador on establishing the Specialized Court for a Life Free of Violence and Discrimination for Women, and on its policies to eliminate discrimination against women. 5