A/HRC/37/9 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 33. During the interactive dialogue, 68 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 34. Egypt commended the efforts made by the Government to improve the human rights situation in Guatemala and the implementation of recommendations made during the previous cycle. It also welcomed the steps Guatemala had taken to bolster economic, social and cultural rights. 35. El Salvador congratulated Guatemala for ratifying most human rights instruments and for incorporating their principles into national law. It welcomed the implementation of best practices to improve the integration and protection of vulnerable groups and of policies to counter human trafficking and torture. 36. Finland commended Guatemala for the national consultations that had been held with civil society and agreed that there was a need to decentralize the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala to all regions and to protect judicial officials and human rights defenders. It noted that violence against women remained alarmingly prevalent and that awareness-raising to counter that scourge was urgently required. 37. France welcomed the adoption by Guatemala of judicial reforms and the progress it had made in combating impunity through the work of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. It welcomed the fact that the Public Prosecution Service had been strengthened and the 2016 reform establishing judicial independence. 38. Georgia noted with appreciation the significant results Guatemala had achieved in the fight against corruption and impunity, and highlighted the cooperation between the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala and Attorney General’s Office. 39. Germany commended Guatemala for its achievements concerning the rights of indigenous peoples and children. It appreciated the fact that civil society stood against corruption and impunity, and took note of the request by Guatemala to renegotiate the mandate of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. It was concerned about serious human rights issues. 40. Ghana welcomed the efforts to strengthen the Special Criminal Investigation Division within the National Civil Police and noted with concern that the advisory council of the national office for the prevention of torture was yet to be operational. 41. Greece noted with appreciation the positive steps taken by Guatemala to combat illiteracy, provide adequate housing for all and draw up the Policy on Gender Equality and Promotion of Women’s Human Rights. 42. Haiti welcomed the progress Guatemala had made in the fight against impunity, in the abolition of the death penalty in civil cases and in its adoption of the National Strategy to Prevent Chronic Malnutrition 2016–2020. 43. The Holy See noted the efforts of Guatemala to strengthen health care and social and housing programmes for all and to increase the level of literacy among children and adults, thus establishing a multicultural society. It highlighted the initiatives that had been taken to ensure food security for children. 44. Honduras welcomed the adoption of the Public Policy for Coexistence and Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination and the development of the National Strategy to Prevent Chronic Malnutrition 2016–2020. 45. Iceland stated that, while it welcomed the progress made in the protection and promotion of human rights since the second universal periodic review of Guatemala, there was still room for much improvement. 46. India noted with appreciation the implementation of the Zero Hunger Pact Initiative and encouraged Guatemala to remain steadfast in its efforts to promote human rights. 5