A/HRC/32/5 Sierra Leone encouraged Niger to implement a more comprehensive preventative strategy to combat gender-based violence. 91. Morocco expressed appreciation for the reforms Niger had undertaken to build a democratic society that respected human rights. It congratulated Niger for establishing a national human rights institution, decriminalizing press crimes, improving access to justice, and combatting slavery and human trafficking. Morocco supported the request of Niger for technical support to establish a specialized body dealing with prison administration and security. 92. South Africa recognized the establishment of the national human rights institution and the adoption of the economic and social development plan. However, it noted remaining challenges in the full realization of human rights exacerbated through the burden of external debt and the food crises. It encouraged Niger to continue all efforts towards the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to development. 93. South Sudan expressed appreciation for the national action plan on justice and human rights (2016-2025) and applauded efforts to combat slavery and human trafficking, and the enshrining of the abolition of slavery in the Constitution. South Sudan also expressed appreciation for steps taken to prosecute perpetrators of the crime of female genital mutilation and bring them to justice. 94. Spain welcomed the accession of Niger to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the decision of the Government to accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In this respect, Spain commended the fact that the death penalty had not been applied since 1976. 95. Switzerland welcomed the efforts of Niger to abolish the death penalty. However, it expressed concern at the persistent rate of child, forced and early marriages that led to human rights violations, in particular of the right to education and sexual and reproductive rights. Switzerland was also concerned that human rights defenders continued to face violations and restrictions of their rights. It stated that Niger should ensure that mining companies were aware of its obligation to respect human rights. 96. Togo welcomed the participative and inclusive approach in preparing the national report. Togo was particularly impressed with the work undertaken during the previous four years to promote and protect human rights. Togo welcomed the adoption of the decade-long action plan on justice and human rights (2016-2025) and the decriminalization of press crimes. 97. Tunisia welcomed the development of an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the universal periodic review and the presentation of a mid-term report in this regard. It noted the establishment of 15 institutions contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights. Tunisia encouraged Niger to fight all forms of violence against women and children, including female genital mutilation. 98. Ukraine noted the significant progress of Niger in the ratification of human rights instruments and the fact that Niger had strengthened its national legal and institutional framework to combat slavery and human trafficking. Ukraine welcomed the signature of Niger on the Optional Protocol to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) aiming at combating modern slavery. However, it noted remaining challenges to building a genuinely constitutional State. 99. The United Kingdom commended the progress of Niger regarding security and humanitarian challenges. It urged Niger to ensure human rights protections particularly for those who were seeking refuge. It welcomed the signing by Niger of the Declaration of Table Mountain and urged Niger to ensure that journalists and non-governmental 12 GE.16-05960