A/HRC/45/2 Guinea for accepting 203 of the 213 recommendations received and expressed appreciation to Guinea for accepting two recommendations presented by Djibouti. 443. Egypt commended Guinea on the national efforts made for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields, including strengthening the legislative and institutional infrastructure through the establishment of an independent national commission for human rights and the accession to a number of international human rights instruments. It thanked Guinea for accepting Egypt’s recommendations on the empowerment of women in the political economic and social fields and inclusive education. 444. Ethiopia welcomed Guinea’s continued engagement with the universal periodic review process and the acceptance of the recommendation offered by Ethiopia in terms of maintaining the best practice of providing compulsory education for all children free of charge. It stressed that the universal periodic review shall remain to provide an opportunity for sharing best practices and a platform where only a constructive exchange takes place. 445. Gabon noted with satisfaction that the Guinean authorities have taken important steps to guarantee civil, political, social and cultural rights, including the strengthening the national human rights institutions, the abolition of the death penalty through the new Criminal Code, the criminalization of torture and the adoption of children’s code. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 446. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Guinea, four other stakeholders made statements. 447. International Service for Human Rights (by video message) welcomed Guinea’s acceptance of a number of recommendations in an effort to create a safe environment for human rights defenders, and to tackle the challenges they face to ensure the freedom of expression. It noted that, during a constitutional referendum in March 2020, a number of human rights violations took place, most notably against civil society. It also appealed to Guinea to put an end to impunity enjoyed by the security forces and to respect its commitment to human rights, and to guarantee the enjoyment of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. It stressed that it is key that the Government of Guinea work in close collaboration with civil society to try to make progress in the promotion and protection of human rights defenders by strengthening the legal framework that protects them. 448. Amnesty International (by video message) welcomed Guinea’s cooperation with the universal periodic review and its acceptance of 203 out of the 213 recommendations, including the call for the commutation of all death sentences, the strengthening of the national human rights institution, the guarantee of the freedom of expression, and the investigation of alleged human rights violations by the security forces. It particularly welcomed the authorities’ commitment to end impunity and refrain from the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators, which has been weakened by Guinea’s rejection to update their law on enforcement and the use of firearms in line with international standards. It further noted that, at least twenty people were killed by security forces between March and July 2020, yet no member of the security forces has been tried for these crimes. It stated that, as Guinea prepares for the October elections, the Guinean authorities have already arrested and detained opponents of a third term, with some incommunicado. It also deplored Guinea’s rejection of all recommendations concerning freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity, the decriminalization of defamation and revision of the repressive cyber-crime law. 449. Plan International, Inc. (by video message) welcomed the commitment of States to combat gender-based violence and stated that, in Guinea, the efforts of the Government and the support of partners have allowed for the ratification of international and legal instruments. It noted the critical importance of trying to combat female genital 80