A/HRC/31/17 45. Equatorial Guinea noted the recent measures taken by Sao Tome and Principe in support of the plan for 2015-2030, which were contributing to building a democratic society and to respect for fundamental rights. It congratulated Sao Tome and Principe on the creation of a government department dedicated to human rights, namely the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. It also noted with satisfaction all initiatives to improve the protection and promotion of children’s rights. Equatorial Guinea made recommendations. 46. Estonia welcomed the initiative to introduce digital public services and invited the Government to activate the system and make full use of it. It note d that the revision of the Penal Code in 2012 was a positive step. Nevertheless, the situation of children was alarming, and the issues of child abuse and exploitation, harmful traditional practices and corporal punishment needed more attention. It invited the Government to commit fully to improving the situation of children. Estonia made recommendations. 47. Ethiopia highlighted the adoption of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan 2012 2016 and the achievements made so far. It commended Sao Tome and Princi pe on its commitment to fulfilling the economic, social and cultural rights of its people with an allocation of increased budgetary resources for progress in the areas of education and health. Ethiopia made recommendations. 48. France welcomed the progress made by Sao Tome and Principe, in particular the recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the decriminalization of relations between consenting adults of the same sex in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination. France made recommendations. 49. Gabon welcomed the measures taken to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and to improve the normative and institutional framework. It noted with satisfaction the adoption of the law on the judicial system and the revision in 2012 of the Penal Code. It particularly welcomed the establishment of the consultation centre on domestic violence and encouraged Sao Tome and Principe to persevere in the promotion and protection of human rights. Gabon made no recommendations. 50. Germany appreciated the progress made by Sao Tome and Principe since its last review, in particular the strengthening of democratic processes. It also welcomed the Government’s efforts in combating child labour and in improving the administration of justice. Germany encouraged the Government to continue improving its human rights record in fields such as children’s rights, gender equality and detention facilities. Germany made recommendations. 51. Maldives welcomed the establishment of the Counselling Centre against Domestic Violence as well as the importance attached to health. It noted positively the adoption of the Education and Training Strategy 2007 -2017. Maldives made recommendations. 52. Indonesia commended the continued engagement of Sao Tome and Principe with the universal periodic review process. It noted a number of measures that had been taken to manage the risk of exploitation of migrants. However, it believed that further efforts could be made, including by strengthening legal frameworks. Indonesia also noted the efforts to eradicate acts of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment through, inter alia, revision of the Penal Code and adoption of the law on the judicial system. It made recommendations. 53. Ireland commended the new Penal Code, which ceased to criminalize consenting same-sex relations between adults. It encouraged Sao Tome and Principe to take the necessary steps to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, b isexual, transgender and intersex persons in all areas of life. Ireland welcomed positive developments in 8/25 GE.16-00396