A/HRC/41/12 98. Uruguay welcomed the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the fact that the new Constitution included an entire chapter on human rights. It encouraged the Comoros to continue working in a similar vein. 99. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted that the new Constitution was highly innovative and appreciated the measures the Comoros had taken to extend access to education and health services, to train teachers for primary and secondary schools and to introduce universal health coverage and general health insurance. 100. Yemen noted that the Comoros had taken important measures in legislation and development, despite the challenges in the area of human rights. It welcomed the achievements in education, health, the empowerment of women and youth and the fact that the new Constitution was focused on human rights. 101. Zimbabwe praised the Comoros for the adoption of the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development 2018–2021, which included extended access to quality education and health, decent work, social protection, water and sanitation. 102. Albania commended the Comoros for the steps it had taken to strengthen human rights, including its accession to the Convention against Torture. It urged the Comoros to intensify its efforts to combat discrimination and violence against women and children. 103. Algeria welcomed the adoption of the law on combating violence against women and children and the law on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. It applauded the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the ILO conventions. 104. Angola noted the efforts made by the Comoros to strengthen cooperation with the human rights mechanisms at a time when the stability of State institutions had faced some difficulties. It encouraged the Comoros to comply with its international obligations. 105. Argentina welcomed the presentation of the report of the Comoros and congratulated the Comoros on its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 106. Armenia acknowledged the revision of the Constitution in July 2018, the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development 2015–2019 and measures to promote the right to health and combat violence against women and children. It was, however, concerned by the low quality of health services. 107. Australia welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and urged the Comoros to ensure the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles. Australia was concerned by reports of limitations on freedom of expression and assembly, of long periods of detention and poor prison conditions in the Comoros. 108. Benin noted with satisfaction that the Comoros had acceded to several international human rights instruments. It welcomed the legislative and institutional reforms adopted by the Comoros, particularly regarding the access of women to different public positions, to justice and to health services. 109. The Comorian delegation stated that there were no political prisoners in the Comoros and that no one had been detained or arrested by reason of the exercise of their freedom of expression, which was guaranteed by law and in practice. However, the Criminal Code stipulated that certain types of statement were punishable. For that reason, some individuals could be brought before the courts. According to the delegation, the persons who were incarcerated had committed serious offences and their detention was unrelated to their political convictions. In the case of attacks against public officials or attempted coups, the Government was obliged to bring those responsible to justice. Thus, the State Security Court had handed down decisions for the imprisonment of perpetrators of crimes, and the media had had unrestricted access to the procedure, while ordinary citizens had been able to follow the hearings outside the court, in particular via the Internet. In addition, the accused had exercised their right to legal aid and the court proceedings had been transparent. 10 GE.19-06795