A/HRC/43/5 74. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commended the efforts made to combat human trafficking, violence and corruption. It called upon El Salvador to uphold and promote freedom of expression for all and to take measures to prevent violence against women and girls. 75. The United States of America was concerned over the high rates of violence, corruption and impunity in El Salvador. The United States congratulated El Salvador on holding free and fair presidential elections in February 2019 and on announcing a new international mechanism to combat impunity and corruption. 76. Uruguay welcomed the measures taken to reduce discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the new legislation on gender-based violence and discrimination. It valued the ongoing efforts made to ratify international human rights instruments and to withdraw reservations, and hoped that El Salvador would ratify the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement). 77. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted pressing challenges, such as discrimination against vulnerable groups, the persistent shortages in the health system, the increase in school dropout rates, and violence against women. 78. Algeria congratulated El Salvador on the reduction in the number of young people who were neither in school nor in employment, the decrease in school dropout rates and the decline in the number of homicides. 79. Angola commended El Salvador for establishing an open and fruitful relationship with several international human rights mechanisms. 80. Argentina congratulated El Salvador on implementing the Poverty Eradication Strategy and on signing the declaration on safe schools and the accompanying guidelines. 81. Australia commended El Salvador on its peaceful national elections and on the progress in reducing violence in the country. 82. Austria commended legislative steps to enhance protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and of the rights of the child. It was concerned about the high level of crimes against women, girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 83. Azerbaijan welcomed public policies and strategies for protecting child rights and the rights of migrants, preventing sexual violence against women, and strengthening gender equality. 84. The Bahamas commended the ongoing work to prevent violence among youth, the holistic and multisectoral approach to combating violence against women, and budgetary increases for education and health. 85. Belgium made recommendations. 86. Brazil welcomed the reform of the Family Code eliminating child marriage, and appreciated measures to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. It regretted cases of child prostitution and the sale of children for the purpose of sexual exploitation. 87. Bulgaria noted with appreciation the enactment of the Act on Equality, Equity and Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the prohibition of child marriage. 88. Burkina Faso noted that, despite the efforts made by El Salvador, significant challenges remained, particularly in the field of protection of human rights defenders and the protection of women’s rights. 89. Canada was concerned at reports of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials and urged El Salvador to fully investigate those allegations. 90. Chile was concerned about the persistence of stereotypes and prejudices about the role of women in society, which perpetuated violence against women, especially domestic violence. 8