A/HRC/23/6 noted also the efforts of the Government to improve access to education and highlighted the need for education and training. It made recommendations. 67. Slovakia acknowledged the country’s commitment to the follow-up of the recommendations received in its first review. It welcomed inter alia the signature of the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ratification of CRPD and its Optional Protocol. It made recommendations. 68. Slovenia noted the establishment of ministries to address the issue of gender perspective in the universal periodic review. It called on the Government to ensure respect for the human rights of its people and to investigate all human rights violations and hold accountable those responsible. It made recommendations. 69. Spain hoped that the Government would be consistent in its efforts to respect human rights in accordance with resolution 21/25 of the Human Rights Council. It highlighted the risk of the breakdown of national cohesion if existing ethnic tensions were used for political ends, thus engendering further human rights violations. It made recommendations. 70. Sudan applauded the efforts by Mali to promote human rights, which included work undertaken to implement previously accepted recommendations. It welcomed the signing of several international and regional instruments, particularly regarding the promotion of development and the fight against poverty, and praised efforts to develop national plans in those areas. 71. Sri Lanka welcomed efforts in the areas of education, health, nutrition and housing, and the adoption of a strategic framework for the reduction of poverty in 2011. It commended the development of a national policy to protect children’s rights and the adoption of the Family Code. It made recommendations. 72. Sweden noted that women in Mali faced domestic violence and that FGM was condoned. Men were favoured in divorce and gender equality concerns had been aggravated by the internal crisis. It was concerned about stoning and amputations in the north and excessive detentions. It made recommendations. 73. Switzerland noted that human rights violations had increased throughout Mali and called upon the transitional Government to ensure that alleged human rights and international humanitarian law violations were impartially investigated and did not remain unpunished. It made recommendations. 74. Thailand commended Mali for its legislative and institutional reforms promoting and protecting human rights. It was concerned that the conflict in the north had caused serious violations, given reports of rape, sexual violence and alleged inhumane punishment. It made recommendations. 75. Togo expressed its support for the Government and people of Mali in their commitment to safeguard the country’s integrity, and restore political stability, social peace and democracy. It strongly condemned the attacks by armed groups of terrorists and criminals in northern Mali. 76. Tunisia noted the forward strides made by Mali since the 2008 review, specifically its ratification of five instruments and creation of two institutions for human rights. It also noted the country’s initiatives in terms of sexual equality and protection of women and children. It made recommendations. 77. Morocco commended the Malian authorities’ commitment to pursuing their cooperation with United Nations bodies, the accreditation of its national human rights commission, and its advances in constitutional revision and school attendance. It asked what progress had been achieved in setting up the judicial transparency programme (PREGOT). 10 GE.13-11815