A/HRC/42/6 43. Ecuador congratulated Côte d’Ivoire on its ratification of various international human rights treaties and the adoption of its 2016–2020 national strategy for reconciliation and social cohesion. 44. Egypt highlighted the progress made since the previous review, especially the ratification of international instruments, the reform of the judiciary and the fight against impunity. 45. El Salvador praised the importance given to the right to education for children and the efforts to implement the recommendations from the previous review. 46. Ethiopia commended Côte d’Ivoire for its ratification of international instruments, the 2016 Constitution and the creation of new human rights bodies. 47. Fiji welcomed the fact that Côte d’Ivoire had enshrined the right to a healthy environment in the Constitution and noted the impact that climate change was having on agricultural production. 48. France praised the adoption of the Act on the promotion and protection of human rights defenders. 49. Gabon noted the reforms to improve the judiciary and penitentiary systems, and the adoption of the new Code of Criminal Procedure. 50. Georgia welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 51. Germany commended Côte d’Ivoire for the progress it had made regarding women’s rights and gender equality. Germany was concerned about the situation of persons in prison, especially children. 52. Ghana welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution in 2016 and of domestic legislation aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law. 53. The Holy See noted the efforts made towards a more inclusive society and for reconciliation. It encouraged Côte d’Ivoire to increase the social and political participation of all sectors of society. 54. Honduras congratulated Côte d’Ivoire on its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and welcomed the voluntary pledges made. 55. Iceland welcomed steps to fight discrimination against women and to increase women’s participation in decision-making. 56. India welcomed the new Constitution, health initiatives aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality and the National Child Protection Policy. 57. Indonesia welcomed the harmonization of the normative framework with international instruments and the creation of the National Human Rights Council and the National Press Authority. 58. Iraq welcomed the new Constitution and the National Development Plan 2016– 2020. 59. Ireland urged Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that the national human rights institution, which had recently been reformed, had the necessary resources and independence to comply with the Paris Principles. 60. Italy welcomed the abolition of the death penalty, the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the new Code of Criminal Procedure. 61. In response to the questions relating to female genital mutilation, rape and sexual violence, the Minister of State indicated that, since 1998, Côte d’Ivoire had had a law criminalizing female genital mutilation, with very severe penalties for anyone who performed female circumcision. Several practitioners had been convicted under this law. 62. Rape and sexual violence were also criminal offences. In order to combat these serious human rights violations, a Government-run project to improve access to rights and GE.19-11244 5