A/HRC/26/7 24. Bhutan commended Uruguay for having implemented the recommendations resulting from the first review. It noted the positive measures taken, inter alia, to enhance the rights of women and children through national strategies. 25. The Plurinational State of Bolivia recognized the progress achieved since the first UPR cycle, especially in education, the protection of women’s rights and the fight against discrimination. 26. Botswana commended the efforts made by Uruguay, in particular those in the areas of children’s rights, sexual exploitation of children and education. 27. Brazil expressed its appreciation of the steps taken to promote racial equality and of the adoption of legislation permitting same-sex marriage. It noted the significant reduction in the rates of poverty and extreme poverty over the past few years. 28. Burkina Faso highlighted the progress Uruguay had made on the rights of the child and women’s rights and commended the measures taken to improve prison conditions and to reduce poverty. 29. Canada requested information on the measures that Uruguay planned to take to improve prison conditions. It expressed hope that the national human rights institution would be adequately funded. 30. Chad referred to the progress made, notably the State’s accession to the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education and its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as efforts towards the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 (1989) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. 31. Chile congratulated Uruguay for its progress in implementing national plans and programmes to promote and protect all human rights, and expressed its appreciation of the country’s commitment to the universal human rights protection mechanisms. 32. China expressed appreciation for several measures, including those taken to eliminate poverty, to reform the prison system and to promote gender equality and the rights of women, children’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. 33. Colombia offered to share its experience with Uruguay in the areas of integrating human rights and gender perspectives in social policies and of follow-up to UPR recommendations. 34. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the implementation of effective measures aimed at reducing the number of street children, promoting education, supporting families in extreme poverty, combating domestic violence and addressing inhuman treatment in detention centres. 35. Cuba referred to the achievements and political will of Uruguay in the fight against poverty. It highlighted for special recognition the country’s education programmes and the increase in resources for those programmes. 36. Cyprus commended efforts to align national legislation with international standards. It referred to reports of difficulties encountered in the response to violence against women, gender inequalities in the labour market and gender stereotypes, despite the progress made in those areas. 37. Ecuador highlighted the establishment of the national human rights institution and the implementation of the Plan of Action for the National Strategy for Children and Adolescents and the National Plan of Action for the Eradication of Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. 6