A/HRC/40/5 67. Honduras welcomed the ratification of the International Labour Organization Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183), and commended the decision to increase the budget of the national human rights institution. 68. Iceland was pleased to note that Senegal had received a visit from the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice. 69. India commended Senegal on it national strategy on the protection of children, the empowerment of women and the national community-based rehabilitation programme for upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. 70. Indonesia positively noted the adoption of the second national strategy for gender equality and equity for the period from 2016 to 2026 and the development of the action plan for the period from 2017 to 2021 for the eradication of gender-based violence. 71. The Islamic Republic of Iran praised initiatives to protect economic, social and cultural rights, including the national policy on nutrition, the establishment of specialized schools for children with disabilities and the national child protection strategy. 72. Iraq welcomed the constitutional reforms, and the strengthening and restructuring of the human rights organizations within the Ministry of Justice. 73. Ireland was concerned by the reported calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty and urged the authorities to resist any moves to row back its abolition. 74. Israel commended Senegal for promoting judicial independence through Organizational Act No. 2017-11 and for the measures taken to improve its response in combating trafficking in persons. 75. Italy welcomed efforts to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights, and the increase in the number of women representatives in the National Assembly. 76. Japan commended the Government’s initiatives to support gender parity and women’s empowerment as a matter of high priority and welcomed the significant increase in female representation in parliament and local assemblies. 77. Jordan welcomed the commitment of Senegal in promoting and protecting human rights and related constitutional, institutional and legislative reforms. 78. Kuwait noted various projects on economic, social and cultural rights, notably to improve the quality of teaching, education and professional education at all levels. 79. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended Senegal for implementing human rights in cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, including the promotion of the rights of women and children, and the rights to education, health and poverty alleviation. 80. Latvia noted the measures taken by the Government and encouraged further efforts in fulfilling its human rights obligations and commitments. 81. Lebanon commended efforts of Senegal to fulfil its international commitments, namely in the fields of education, health, justice and combating violence. 82. Lesotho commended Senegal for the collaborative legislative measures it had taken to revamp its human rights institutions and echoed its call for more technical and financial assistance. 83. Liechtenstein expressed its concern about the absence of a comprehensive and explicit prohibition of corporal punishment. 84. Luxembourg congratulated Senegal on the adoption of a revised Constitution and welcomed its 30-year partnership with the country in the field of development cooperation. 85. Madagascar noted with satisfaction the adoption of a policy to combat violence against women, and their families and communities, and measures to improve the access of persons with disabilities to education. 86. Malaysia noted positively the progress in education, health, poverty alleviation and the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. GE.18-22584 7