A/HRC/38/8 61. Australia commended the ratification of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development. It called on Botswana to ensure the protection of the freedom of expression and assembly, while expressing its continued concern about the application of the death penalty. 62. Azerbaijan appreciated the constructive cooperation of Botswana with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, expressing the hope that relevant mechanisms and organizations would enhance financial and technical assistance for Botswana. 63. Bangladesh applauded steps to domesticate the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and to adopt the National Policy on Gender and Development and the AntiHuman Trafficking Act. It noted that, although Botswana had achieved remarkable socioeconomic progress, it needed sustained international support. 64. Belgium acknowledged efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, including through the National Strategic Framework, expressing the conviction that further progress could be achieved in protecting vulnerable groups. It expressed concern at the fact that the death penalty was still on the statute books. 65. Benin welcomed measures and initiatives to ensure local development and respect for human rights, urging Botswana to build on its achievements. 66. Bhutan commended Botswana for the implementation of recommendations from the previous review. It requested Botswana to continue efforts to ratify human rights treaties. 67. Brazil commended Botswana for initiatives to tackle inequality and for its health policies. Brazil recognized the positive steps taken in the areas of freedom of expression and the press, and in ensuring women’s empowerment and representation in public life. It encouraged further action to prohibit corporal punishment. 68. Burkina Faso encouraged Botswana to revise the 2009 Children’s Act to bring it into line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate and to guarantee universal birth registration for all children born in its territory. 69. Canada noted the ongoing International Criminal Court membership of Botswana and its commitment to the Court. Furthermore, Canada welcomed the court judgments in Botswana enabling transgender persons to change their gender status on national identity registration documents to reflect their gender identity. 70. Chad welcomed the adoption of the National Policy on Gender and Development and the establishment of the National Gender Commission. It also noted with satisfaction the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. 71. Chile welcomed the creation of the Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Committee, the adoption of relevant legislation and efforts to broaden access to justice through the creation of three new courts of first instance. 72. Côte d’Ivoire appreciated the measures aimed at reducing extreme poverty and welcomed efforts to establish a national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles. 73. Cuba emphasized the adoption of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and of the Eleventh National Development Plan. 74. Denmark mentioned that, during its second universal periodic review, Botswana had noted recommendations to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and stated that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to assist Botswana on that issue. 75. Ecuador emphasized the recognition by Botswana of the need to revise laws and policies that were incompatible with the full enjoyment of constitutional rights and international standards. 76. Egypt praised Botswana for its efforts to fight poverty, combat HIV/AIDS, promote the rights of the child through the inclusion of human rights issues in the school curricula and end discrimination. 7