A/HRC/RES/31/24 upon all actors to consolidate the democratic transition by bringing all national institutions, including the military, under a civilian government; 4. Welcomes the signing of the nationwide ceasefire agreement in October 2015, while calling for further steps towards national reconciliation, an end to violence and the pursuit of an inclusive and comprehensive national political dialogue, including efforts by the Government and the military to reach agreement with those ethnic groups that have not yet signed the ceasefire, and urging all actors to ensure effective participation of women, particularly from conflict-affected communities, in all decision-making and other activities with the objective of achieving lasting peace, and allow and facilitate rapid and unfettered humanitarian access to civilians in need throughout the country; 5. Recalls its serious concerns over human rights violations, including regarding the situation in Rakhine State and particularly with respect to persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities, including the Rohingya minority, and urges the Government of Myanmar to repeal discriminatory legislative and policy measures, to lift restrictions on movement that impede access to health and education services, to intensify its efforts to address discrimination, to counter incitement to hatred and hate speech leading to violence, to promote equality, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in all sectors of society, and to address economic deprivation and displacement; 6. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar to take further steps to consolidate the progress made to end all remaining human rights violations, to protect the human rights of all, including of women, children and persons belonging to minorities, and to address outstanding concerns, in particular regarding the right to freedom of religion or belief and the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, which are essential to ensure a safe and enabling environment, notably for civil society, journalists and human rights defenders who need to be recognized publicly for their instrumental role in the promotion and protection of human rights; 7. Encourages the Government of Myanmar to take further steps to strengthen democratic institutions, good governance and the rule of law, stresses the need for review and reform of legislation, including the Constitution, to ensure adherence with international norms and standards, and the need for a more independent, impartial and effective judiciary, and an independent and self-governing legal profession; 8. Welcomes the recent release of political prisoners, while urging the Government of Myanmar to fulfil its commitment unconditionally to release all political prisoners, in accordance with its obligation to ensure that no one remains in prison owing to his or her political beliefs or actions, including those recently detained or convicted, and to provide for the full rehabilitation of former political prisoners; 9. Also welcomes the recent steps towards the adherence to international human rights conventions, encourages the Government of Myanmar actively to consider the ratification of additional international human rights conventions and the optional protocols thereto, and calls for the full implementation of its obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and of other relevant agreements and commitments, including the commitment of the Government to open a country office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with a full mandate and in accordance with the mandate of the High Commissioner; 10. Calls upon the international community to support the national efforts made by Myanmar and its institutions to strengthen the rule of law in the country, and to continue to support the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, through technical assistance and capacity-building programmes, with a view to enabling it to contribute effectively to the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with the Paris Principles; 2