A/HRC/15/60 immediate steps to make domestic violence a criminal offence; and the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. While welcoming the commitment of Armenia to tackle domestic violence, the United Kingdom encouraged Armenia to address the full spectrum of discrimination experienced by women. 460. According to Belarus, the universal periodic review made it possible to assess the success achieved by the country in implementing economic and social rights and in developing its legislation. It welcomed the intention of Armenia to work further to implement the recommendations, the great majority of which had been accepted. Belarus commended the steps taken by Armenia to implement its treaty body obligations as well as the Government’s policy to ensure religious freedom and the measures to combat trafficking, including through the recent adoption of the third national plan of action to combat trafficking in persons. 461. The Russian Federation welcomed the constructive approach of Armenia to the universal periodic review. Armenia had accepted almost all of the recommendations, most of which had been or were being implemented. Implementation would serve to build further upon the progress achieved on a broad range of human rights protection issues in Armenia. It noted the work done in the preparation of the national report, which attested to Armenia’s serious approach to the universal periodic review, and its intention to work to take concrete measures to improve human rights in the country. 462. Kazakhstan stated that the universal periodic review process had been a good opportunity to enhance further Armenia’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, and that Armenia had demonstrated its commitment to cooperate constructively with the review mechanism. Kazakhstan noted with appreciation that Armenia had supported 81 of 85 recommendations made during the Working Group review. Kazakhstan expressed its conviction that Armenia would continue its efforts to protect human rights, and encourage the Government to pay more attention to the improvement of the rights and living conditions of the most vulnerable. 463. Italy took note of the recent developments since the review of Armenia, namely the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the adoption of the 2010–2012 national plan of action for combating trafficking in human beings for the period. Italy looked forward to the adoption of the law ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women, the draft of which was under elaboration. The universal periodic review outcome could form the basis of further initiatives for the promotion and protection of human rights in Armenia, with a view to establishing new forms of cooperation with United Nations agencies and regional organizations. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 464. Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik (Sudwind) commended Armenia for its acceptance of the majority of the recommendations made during the interactive dialogue, including the recommendations regarding the ratification of several international instruments and those on the adoption of a law to ensure equal opportunities for men and women, and of the third national plan on combating trafficking. Armenia was, however, a country with a traditionally patriarchal society and a high rate of violence against women; Sudwind thus urged it to pay more attention to this issue and, in particular, to accelerate the process of adopting a national law on violence against women. 465. In a joint statement, the European Region of the Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) and Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit (COC Nederland) urged Armenia to ensure compliance with international standards by providing public education and awareness-raising programmes on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and organizing 152 GE.11-17043