A/HRC/42/6 92. The Philippines noted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and several other international instruments and recognized the efforts made to prevent trafficking in persons and the worst forms of child labour. 93. Portugal commended the progress made in the areas of education and human rights training. 94. Qatar commended Côte d’Ivoire for its accession to several human rights instruments and for the measures it had taken to strengthen the rule of law, in particular the new Constitution and the National Development Plan 2016–2020. 95. The Republic of Korea expressed concern regarding the excessive repression of peaceful protests and the reprisals against journalists. It noted that female genital mutilation and early marriage remained widespread, despite the legislation in place. 96. The Republic of Moldova welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution, which strengthened the protection of human rights and confirmed the abolition of the death penalty. 97. The Russian Federation welcomed the accession of Côte d’Ivoire to several ILO conventions and the integration of its international obligations in its domestic legislation. 98. Rwanda commended the progress Côte d’Ivoire had made in improving the social and economic status of its citizens and their access to justice, as well as its efforts to consolidate the democratic process and foster national reconciliation. 99. Saudi Arabia noted the efforts and positive progress made by Côte d’Ivoire, including new strategies to secure employment for persons with disabilities. 100. Senegal noted with satisfaction the cooperation of Côte d’Ivoire with the United Nations treaty bodies and the adoption of the new Constitution, which provided for better protection of human rights and civil liberties. 101. Serbia welcomed the adoption of legislative instruments aimed at strengthening the democratic framework and commended Côte d’Ivoire for the national reconciliation process through the establishment of two commissions. 102. Seychelles recognized the significant steps made in the realization of the right to health and the legislative framework to combat trafficking in persons. 103. Sierra Leone commended the adoption of a number of laws to strengthen the national normative framework, the efforts deployed to reform the judicial and prison systems, and the establishment of the National Development Plan 2016–2020. 104. Slovenia was concerned about the preventive detention of children and noted that the separation of minors and adults in detention was not respected in practice. 105. South Africa welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution, the National Development Plan and the national action plan to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle. 106. Spain commended Côte d’Ivoire for the measures it had taken, such as the family planning action plan and the efforts to combat human trafficking. 107. In response to the last questions raised, notably the one concerning the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, the Minister of State indicated that the position of Côte d’Ivoire remained unchanged since the second cycle of the universal periodic review. Consequently, no measures had been taken or were envisaged to promote public acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex persons in Côte d’Ivoire. Nevertheless, she clarified that Ivorian legislation did not criminalize the sexual orientation of persons living in Côte d’Ivoire. 108. The State of Palestine applauded the progress made in education and in ensuring the right to health, including by constructing 300 new health centres. 109. The Sudan praised the ratification of several international human rights instruments, the legislative and judicial reform and the establishment of the Supreme Court and the Court of Cassation. 8 GE.19-11244