A/HRC/39/3 79. Djibouti commended Turkmenistan for its adoption in 2016 of a new Constitution that introduced the multiparty system, integrated many provisions of international treaties to which Turkmenistan was a party and enshrined the rights and freedoms of citizens. 80. Egypt welcomed new constitutional provisions protecting fundamental rights and freedoms plus amendments to domestic legislation guaranteeing respect for human rights standards. It further expressed appreciation for the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for the period 2015–2020. 81. Estonia encouraged Turkmenistan to accept and facilitate the requested visits by special procedure mandate holders and extend an open invitation to all of them to visit the country. It remained concerned about laws and practices that restricted the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, including restrictions on Internet access and online content. 82. France regretted that institutional changes like the establishment of the Ombudsperson had remained without effect since 2013. Moreover, the elections of 25 March did not seem to indicate any improvement in terms of democracy. 83. Georgia welcomed the strengthening of national human rights institutions through the establishment of the position of Commissioner for Human Rights, in line with the recommendations of the second universal periodic review. It noted the accession of Turkmenistan to a number of international treaties, including the Paris Agreement. 84. Germany welcomed the adoption of national action plans on human rights, on gender equality and on combating human trafficking. It remained concerned about the continuing deterioration regarding freedom of expression. It condemned the persistent use of torture and ill-treatment in prisons and the many enforced disappearances. 85. Greece noted with appreciation a number of legal measures taken to promote human rights, including the new Constitution, adopted in 2016, the adoption of national action plans on human rights, on gender equality and on combating against violence, as well as amendments to the Criminal Code introducing a definition of torture. 86. Honduras noted the inclusion of a section of human rights in the new Constitution, adopted in 2016, and the establishment of the position of the Commissioner for Human Rights. 87. Iceland welcomed the Constitutional provision recognizing equal rights for women and men but expressed concerns about continued underrepresentation of women in the public and private sectors and the criminalization of sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex. 88. India noted with appreciation the adoption of the national action plans on human rights, on gender equality and on combating human trafficking, the establishment of the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights and the constitutional provisions guaranteeing social security for persons with disabilities. 89. Indonesia commended Turkmenistan for the adoption in 2016 of the Ombudsman Act. It noted the National Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkmenistan for the period 2016–2020 and National Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons for the period 2016– 2018 and expressed its hope that those action plans would contribute to improvement of the human rights situation. 90. The Islamic Republic of Iran commended the Government for the adoption and implementation of the National Socioeconomic Development Programme for the period 2011–2030, the revised National Presidential Programme on the Improvement of Social and Living Conditions and the Presidential Programme on Socioeconomic Development for the period 2018–2024. 91. Iraq commended the Government for the adoption of the National Action Plan on Human Rights for the period 2016–2020, and the submission of reports to various treaty bodies, which had demonstrated the country’s commitment to the respect of human rights. 92. Ireland encouraged Turkmenistan to ensure an effective and independent functioning of the Office of the Ombudsperson, in accordance with the Paris Principles. It noted that, 9