A/HRC/32/5 organizations were not unduly hindered, harassed or detained as a result of their work. It called on Niger to end traditional practices that discriminated against and targeted women and girls. 100. The United States of America commended the efforts of Niger to counter terrorist groups. It welcomed the audit of the electoral list of Niger in advance of the upcoming elections. It was concerned by reports that political space was narrowing. It remained concerned about the continued existence of slavery and noted that prison conditions were still a challenge. 101. Uruguay welcomed ratification by Niger of the Optional Protocol to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) aiming at combating modern slavery. It encouraged Niger to implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on Slavery. Uruguay was concerned at the high rate of early and forced marriage, and encouraged Niger to strengthen measures to eliminate those practices as well as female genital mutilation, and harmonize its domestic legislation with the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. 102. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela praised the progress achieved in the fields of health and education, such as the distribution of free books in the first and second basic cycles, the establishment of canteens in schools for the nomad population and the strategic plan for delivering food in schools for the most vulnerable population. 103. Zambia called upon Niger to consider withdrawing its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women; domesticate the instruments it has ratified, particularly those concerning the rights of women and children; enact laws to combat slavery; and take the necessary steps to eliminate female genital mutilation. Furthermore, Zambia urged Niger to include a definition of discrimination in its legislation and harmonize the Criminal Code with the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 104. Afghanistan commended the actions and commitments of Niger in promoting and protecting human rights in compliance with international obligations. Moreover, it welcomed significant progress in the area of freedom of expression and the Declaration of Table Mountain signed by the President of Niger, which allowed journalists to freely practice their professional duties. 105. Algeria congratulated Niger for the remarkable progress it had made in implementing its recommendations from the first universal periodic review cycle, of which it had accepted 110 of 112 recommendations. Algeria welcomed Niger as the first signatory to the Optional Protocol to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) aiming at combating modern slavery. Algeria encouraged Niger to continue its efforts to combat early marriage. 106. Angola noted with satisfaction that Niger continued its efforts to improve respect of human rights, particularly in its domestic legislation. Angola welcomed the action plan to implement recommendations from the first cycle. Angola also noted the adoption of constitutional provisions that prohibited all forms of slavery and human trafficking. 107. Argentina welcomed the fact that Niger had become a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It also noted the efforts of Niger to address the consequences of the clashes between the terrorist group Boko Haram and the defence and security forces. 108. Armenia expressed its appreciation for health development plans, strategies and programmes, and the commitment of Niger to maintaining an open-door policy for GE.16-05960 13