A/HRC/34/7 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 20. During the interactive dialogue, 66 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 21. Togo welcomed the progress made by Iceland towards the implementation of the recommendations accepted during the second cycle of the universal periodic review. Togo noted with satisfaction the inclusive participatory process that had led to the preparation of the report and welcomed the accession by Iceland to various international human rights instruments. 22. Tunisia commended the efforts to protect the rights of women and asked about measures taken to combat discrimination and violence against women and to achieve gender equality in the labour market, especially wage parity. Tunisia inquired about measures taken to establish a national human rights institution and to stop students from dropping out of school early. 23. Turkey welcomed the high percentage of women in Parliament, measures taken to increase women’s representation, including in the police, and the approach to equal pay standards. Turkey supported the recommendations made by treaty bodies regarding cases of violence against women and preventing child sexual abuse. 24. Ukraine commended the promotion of gender equality as a road map to follow, including the support given by Iceland to the HeForShe campaign and “barbershop” conferences. Ukraine commended the progress in ratifying instruments for the rights of persons with disabilities and the humanitarian aid contributions to Syrian refugees. 25. The United Kingdom noted the legislative developments on gender equality and the rights of immigrants, asylum seekers and elderly persons. It requested an update on levels of racial and ethnic discrimination, on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and on progress in establishing a national human rights institution and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 26. The United States of America commended Iceland for its commitment to tolerance, gender equality and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and the reception of Syrian refugees for resettlement. It welcomed the establishment of a reception centre for asylum seekers and human trafficking victims and the opening of a new prison. It expressed concern at ongoing incidents of gender-based violence, violence against children, discrimination against immigrants and the non-prosecution and non-conviction of perpetrators of human trafficking offences. 27. Uruguay welcomed the efforts of Iceland to promote gender equality, advance the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the areas of marriage and adoption and address domestic violence through a multisectoral approach, but noted that the national plan of action to combat sexual and gender-based violence had not been renewed. 28. Afghanistan welcomed the amendments made to the Gender Equality Act to accelerate progress on gender equality and equal opportunity. It also appreciated the establishment of an equal opportunity fund aimed at financing programmes and research on gender equality nationally and internationally. 29. Albania applauded Iceland for its record of supporting a rules-based system for the promotion and protection of human rights, consistent with the aims of the main human rights institutions. Albania invited the Government to further strengthen its national efforts and human rights mechanisms. 5