A/HRC/36/9 103. Argentina welcomed the adoption of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. 104. Lebanon appreciated the continued engagement of the United Kingdom abroad and cooperation with the United Nations to enhance human rights despite the decision taken on Brexit in June 2016. 105. Australia commended the leadership on human trafficking and modern slavery, and acknowledged the investigations of deaths in Northern Ireland, prevention of violence against women and girls and creation of domestic violence protection orders. 106. Bahrain commended the launching of the action plan to combat hate crime and the measures taken to combat human trafficking, noting difficulties of victims in accessing medical services and legal assistance. 107. Bangladesh reminded the State of its moral responsibility resulting from the colonial past to ensure that its immigration policies remained transparent, humane and accessible, and was concerned about escalating racial profiling, xenophobia and hate crimes. 108. Belarus regretted that the Government had not given ample attention to some of the recommendations from the previous cycles. 109. Bosnia and Herzegovina recognized the commitment of the United Kingdom to the universal periodic review, its efforts to promote equality and the new Hate Crime Action Plan. 110. Botswana noted concerns by special procedures on the measures taken by the United Kingdom to fight extremism and terrorism and on the draft investigatory powers bill. 111. Brazil believed that despite the challenge imposed by the current migration and refugee crisis, a human rights approach was needed when addressing the issue. 112. Bulgaria commended the efforts in combating violence against women and girls, and noted the roll-out of domestic violence protection orders and the introduction of female genital mutilation protection orders. 113. Canada emphasized the importance of maintaining existing standards and legal protections for human rights, with the United Kingdom preparing to exit the European Union. 114. Chile was concerned about the impact that the exit by the United Kingdom from the European Union would have on its human rights legislative framework. 115. China welcomed human rights progress and noted with concern serious problems of racism and xenophobia against ethnic minorities, while the rights of refugees and migrants had not been guaranteed. 116. Côte d’Ivoire encouraged the Government to strengthen the measures taken to fight all forms of discrimination, and violence against vulnerable groups, and to support and protect victims. 117. Croatia welcomed the steps taken by the United Kingdom regarding the implementation of recommendations from the second universal periodic review. 118. Czechia acknowledged the determination of the United Kingdom to prevent and eradicate modern slavery at both the domestic and international levels. 119. Ecuador was concerned at the frequent cases of hate crimes, the restrictions on granting refugee status and the possible repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998. 120. Egypt was concerned about United Kingdom policies making it a sanctuary for extremists and fertile ground for terrorism, hate crimes and discrimination, and was concerned about policies against migrants. 121. Estonia urged the involvement of all relevant stakeholders when replacing the Human Rights Act 1998 with a British bill, and called for the application of international human rights principles to all under its jurisdiction to be ensured. 9