A/HRC/27/13 104. Italy welcomed the adoption of a moratorium on executions and urged Equatorial Guinea to abolish that heinous penalty. It expressed concern about numerous reports of torture by the police and ill-treatment of detainees. 105. Libya welcomed the measures taken on behalf of persons with disabilities. It urged the international community to assist Equatorial Guinea in achieving the objectives of the National Economic and Social Development Plan for Horizon 2020. 106. Madagascar noted the achievements of Equatorial Guinea since the previous UPR cycle, notably with regard to strengthening the judiciary and promoting human rights. It urged the international community to support Equatorial Guinea. 107. Malaysia commended Equatorial Guinea on the creation of the special service for persons with disabilities. While action had been taken to combat trafficking in persons, room for improvement remained. 108. Mali commended Equatorial Guinea on its commitment to improving thehuman rights protection. Mali encouraged it to strengthen efforts to ensure the welfare of its citizens. 109. Mauritania noted with satisfaction the establishment of the Directorate-General of Special Education and the accession by Equatorial Guinea to treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 110. Mexico welcomed the reform of the Constitution in 2012 and the strengthening of the Office of the Ombudsman. It hoped that increased investment in social sectors would reduce poverty and improve access to health care and education services in Equatorial Guinea. 111. Montenegro enquired about the obstacles preventing the Government from using the country’s natural resources to promote equal opportunities for all. It asked whether a comprehensive strategy was being developed to eliminate practices such as forced and early marriage, as well as female stereotypes. 112. Morocco welcomed the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister in charge of human rights, and noted the improvements made to the legislative framework, including the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman. It also welcomed the reform of the judicial sector to ensure better access to justice. 113. Mozambique commended Equatorial Guinea for the steps it had taken to promote human rights. It noted the development regarding the law establishing a moratorium on the death penalty. 114. The Netherlands expressed concern about discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, despite the fact that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons was punishable by law. 115. Nicaragua noted the progress achieved in the field of education and encouraged Equatorial Guinea to ratify the Convention against Discrimination in Education, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. 116. Nigeria urged Equatorial Guinea to prioritize the establishment of a platform for fundamental rights and freedoms, to boost health-care facilities, particularly for women and children, and to accede to the Optional Protocol to the International CovenantConvention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 117. Norway expressed concern about the situation of human rights defenders and journalists. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to accede to the Second Optional Protocol to 11