A/HRC/45/2 undermined long-held secular principles as well as freedom of expression and social liberties. It expressed concern that such discriminatory attitudes are being perpetuated within Turkey’s educational system, where religious education is traditionally taught from the perspective of Sunni Hanefi Islam. It also stated that, although freedom of expression is theoretically protected by the current Constitution, it is increasingly undermined in practice as the Penal Code outlaws blasphemy, which is punishable by a prison sentence. 754. Human Rights Watch expressed disappointment over the Turkish Government’s refusal to acknowledge key issues that are at the core of the human rights crisis that the country is facing today. It stated that if the Government were serious about its engagement with the universal periodic review process, it would commit to address the increasing erosion of judicial independence and abusive use of criminal proceedings and detention to target perceived government critics. It expressed concern over the increasing restrictions on free speech and failure to investigate abuses committed by State officials such as torture and ill-treatment in custody. 755. Amnesty International (by video message) regretted the rejection of many recommendations. It noted that the most serious human rights violation was the lack of independence and impartiality of the judiciary, as evidenced in court decisions in trials of human rights defenders, journalists and others. It stated that, since Turkey’s review, four human rights defenders were convicted in July 2020 on terrorism-related charges in the absence of crimes committed, to dissuade others from engaging in such activities and to paralyse civil society. It regretted Turkey’s rejection of recommendations to decriminalize peaceful expression, and urged Turkey to amend articles in the Penal Code and AntiTerrorism Law. It stated that, despite Turkey’s claim that it operates a zero-tolerance to torture policy, allegations of torture and other forms of ill treatment remain. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 756. The Vice-President thanked the head of the delegation of Turkey for his presentation, which included his concluding remarks, and stated that, based on the information provided, out of 321 recommendations received, 216 enjoy the support of Turkey, and 105 are noted. 757. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Arslan thanked the delegations who took the floor for their constructive comments. With regards to the issues raised by nongovernmental organizations, he stated that he is not going to answer those as Turkey’s policy is not to use any sort of reprisals against certain non-governmental organizations. He also confirmed that Turkey responded to most of the issues in a detailed way during the universal periodic review process in January 2020. 758. Lastly, the Ambassador emphasized that Turkey’s will to expand the scope of human rights and advancing its democracy to a higher level remains strong and that Turkey will maintain its close cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including its constructive engagement with the universal periodic review. He thanked the secretariat of the universal periodic review and the Troika for their support to the universal periodic review of Turkey. Kiribati 759. The review of Kiribati was held on 28 January 2020 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions and decisions, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by Kiribati in accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21 (A/HRC/WG.6/35/KIR/1); 121