A/HRC/36/8 combating racism and xenophobia. However, it remained concerned about the continuing gender-based wage gap in Finland. 38. Spain congratulated Finland on the ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. It was concerned that although Finland ratified the Istanbul Convention, gender violence remained a problem in the country. 39. Sri Lanka commended Finland for the high percentage of women’s participation in the State legislature and recognized the efforts to strengthen gender equality, including the adoption of the Action Plan for Gender Equality and the Act on Equality between Women and Men. 40. The State of Palestine welcomed the steps taken by Finland to implement the previous review recommendations and its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. It also welcomed the efforts of Finland to combat discrimination, including the National Action Plan to combat discrimination and promote equality. 41. Sweden was concerned that although Finland was ranked as one of the most gender equal countries in the world, domestic violence and sexual abuse against women remained widespread. It was also concerned that transgender persons and intersex children continued to face discrimination. 42. Timor-Leste welcomed the establishment of national human rights institutions, the Government Action Plan for Gender Equality and the Government Action Plan against Human Trafficking. Timor-Leste also wished to highlight the new project in Finland to collect information about forced marriage. 43. Turkey welcomed the adoption of the Action Plan for Gender Equality, the adoption of the National Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and the drafting of the Government Action Plan against Human Trafficking. Turkey was concerned that discriminatory and xenophobic comments had become more common. 44. Ukraine commended the significant improvements to the national legislative framework provided by the adoption of laws and programmes for the protection of the rights of children, vulnerable persons and persons with disabilities. It also welcomed the legislative amendments on the prevention of human trafficking and on combating violence against women. 45. The United Kingdom welcomed the ratification by Finland of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Protocol of 2014 to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and the adoption of the 2016-2017 Government Action Plan against Human Trafficking. 46. The United States of America congratulated Finland for its efforts in combating discrimination and trafficking in persons and encouraged it to take steps to reduce the number of religiously motivated hate crimes and ensure equal access for persons with disabilities. 47. Uruguay praised the progress achieved with regard to the commitments made by Finland to consider alternatives to the detention of asylum seekers and regular migrants. 48. Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction the legislative and administrative measures to promote and protect human rights adopted by Finland over the past few years. 49. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed concern about challenges related to the increase in and propagation of increasingly extreme racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, especially against Roma, Somalis and on the Internet. It also expressed concern about the increase in hate speech regarding immigration and asylum seekers. 50. Albania welcomed progress made in the promotion of human rights, in particular the establishment of the second National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights with a focus on education, equality and non-discrimination. It also welcomed major structural reforms in social welfare and health care. 6