A/HRC/39/3 31. The Russian Federation noted with appreciation the new provisions on the Office of the Ombudsperson in the new Constitution and reforms that had been made in the health sector. It noted the adoption of the State Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men Act and a programme for enhancing the employment sector and creating new jobs for the period up to 2020, as well as the action plan for its implementation. 32. Saudi Arabia noted efforts to improve further the cooperation with the United Nations, especially with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the period 2016–2020. 33. Senegal praised Turkmenistan for its ratification of a number of international instruments and its adoption in 2016 of a new Constitution, which focused on the multiparty political system and respect for human rights. 34. Serbia encouraged the Government to improve its cooperation with the human rights mechanism of the United Nations. It welcomed the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson and the adoption of numerous laws that complied with the relevant human rights treaties. 35. Slovakia noted with appreciation the adoption of the national action plans on human rights, on gender equality and on combating trafficking in persons. It noted the adoption in 2016 of a new Constitution, which included a section on human rights but also provided for limitations of those rights made by law. 36. Slovenia welcomed the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson and encouraged Turkmenistan to ensure its compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). It expressed concern at the human rights situation in the Turkmenistan, in particular allegations involving enforced disappearances and torture, and restrictions to the enjoyment of freedom of movement and expression. 37. Spain welcomed with satisfaction the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson and the adoption of the National Action Plan on Human Rights and the National Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons. It was concerned at the high number of allegations of torture and ill-treatment against detainees in Turkmenistan. 38. Sweden stated that the enforced disappearance of prisoners had continued and remained systemic. 39. Switzerland deplored that the human rights situation in Turkmenistan had not improved since the previous review. The visits of several special procedure mandate holders had been on pending for a long time. Switzerland remained particularly concerned at the incarceration rate and the conditions of detention in Turkmenistan. 40. Tajikistan noted the progress that had been made in Turkmenistan in the area of human and the establishment of the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights. 41. Togo congratulated Turkmenistan for the progress it had made since the second review in reforming the national human rights system, in particular the adoption in 2016 of a new Constitution, which included new provisions on human rights. It encouraged Turkmenistan to continue those efforts with a view to improving the human rights situation in the country. 42. Ukraine noted the efforts undertaken by Turkmenistan to improve the institutional and legislative framework for human rights, including the ratification of several international treaties, the adoption of the national action plans on human rights, on gender equality and on combating trafficking in persons, as well as the adoption of the law on the Office of the Ombudsperson. 43. The United Kingdom remained concerned by allegations of torture, incommunicado detentions and restrictions on access to justice and access to information in Turkmenistan. It was also concerned by restrictions on the rights to freedom of movement, expression, association and religion or belief and the use of forced labour to harvest cotton. 44. The United States of America appreciated the efforts Turkmenistan had made to protect conscientious objectors and improve prison conditions. However, it was concerned 5