A/HRC/19/2 countries hosting refugees. Morocco also noted positively Tajikistan’s cooperation with treaty bodies and the mechanism of the Human Rights Council and the efforts of the Government to protect the most vulnerable groups of the population. 361. Cuba recognized Tajikistan’s efforts aimed at promoting universal access to health services and public education. It also welcomed the progress made in the areas of food security and combating human trafficking. It noted positively Tajikistan’s accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and two Optional Protocols thereto, and ILO Convention No. 182 on prohibiting the worst forms of child labour. It pointed out the national plan of action to reform the juvenile justice system, the measures taken to protect children from ill-treatment and the establishment of rehabilitation centres for women and children. Cuba also noted Tajikistan’s accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women without reservations. Cuba praised Tajikistan for having reduced poverty in recent years. It called on Tajikistan to continue its measures for the protection and promotion of human rights, and wished it success in the implementation of its socioeconomic development programmes. 362. UNICEF welcomed Tajikistan’s endorsement of a number of recommendations relating to the prohibition of corporal punishment of children in all settings, the elimination of child labour and the introduction of a separate juvenile justice system. It called on Tajikistan to focus on the rights of the most disadvantaged children, including children with disabilities and girls. UNICEF also welcomed Tajikistan’s adoption of the strategy on inclusive education for children with disabilities, and expressed its readiness to provide technical support to refine the strategy further and to implement it as a matter of priority. It also called on Tajikistan to ensure the right of children to live in a family environment by preventing family separation and developing family support and substitute services. Lastly, UNICEF urged Tajikistan to submit its overdue periodic reports for the two optional protocols to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 363. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme appreciated Tajikistan’s efforts to harmonize domestic legislation with international legal standards, and supported the measures taken in the area of gender equality. It noted with satisfaction the adoption of the moratorium on the death penalty and advised Tajikistan to take necessary steps to abolish it, in particular by ratifying the second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It remained concerned at the increasing restrictions on the freedom of conscience and belief, civil society organizations and independent media. It urged Tajikistan to take specific steps to meet its obligation to ensure a favourable environment for the freedom of expression. It deplored the allegations of torture and poor detention conditions, and encouraged Tajikistan to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and to request technical assistance for the renovation and construction of prisons. In conclusion, the organization encouraged Tajikistan to combat poverty and to ratify core human rights instruments. 364. Save the Children called on Tajikistan to respect the minimum age of criminal responsibility of 14 years, without exception. Save the Children noted the adoption of the national plan of action on juvenile justice reform and of relevant legislative amendments, and it called for their full compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international human rights standards. Save the Children deeply regretted the fact that the institutionalization of children with disabilities was still a common practice. It encouraged the Government to respect the principle of the best interests of the child with disabilities, and to ensure that community-based and family-based care services were prioritized. Save the Children called for the prompt ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Save the Children echoed the concern expressed by the 186 GE.13-14768