A/HRC/27/13 Principles. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. 32. Timor-Leste commended Equatorial Guinea on the constitutional reform of 2012, on progress in education, health and children’s rights and on the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its economic and social objectives. 33. Togo noted measures to improve the situation of women, children and disabled persons. It commended Equatorial Guinea on its efforts to ensure economic and social rights. 34. Tunisia encouraged Equatorial Guinea to intensify its efforts to eliminate gender stereotypes and to strengthen its cooperation with all of the United Nations human rights bodies. 35. Turkey welcomed the development plan, the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister in charge of human rights and the establishment of a national human rights institution. It called for strengthened rule of law and intensified efforts concerning human rights. 36. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expressed concern about retaliations against human rights defenders and allegations of corruption. It urged Equatorial Guinea to ensure freedom of speech and assembly. 37. The United States of America remained concerned about arbitrary detentions and politically-motivated violence, failure to hold security forces accountable for human rights violations, and the lack of legislation protecting children from hazardous labour. It urged protection of the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly. 38. Uruguay noted the studies and national discussions conducted on the death penalty. It expressed concern about reports of corruption and the lack of an independent judiciary. 39. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the steps taken towards ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and improving the living standards of persons with disabilities, as well as advances in ensuring access to education. 40. Viet Nam noted the continued efforts of Equatorial Guinea to enhance enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially political, economic and social rights, through constitutional reform, budget transparency and capacity-building. 41. Zimbabwe commended Equatorial Guinea on its strengthened institutional mechanisms and investment in education, health, public services, water and sanitation, as well as gender equality. It urged Equatorial Guinea to improve the education for all policy and broaden human rights training and awareness-raising. 42. Algeria appreciated measures to strengthen various national institutions to ensure the best protection of human rights. It commended Equatorial Guinea on its efforts to promote economic, social and cultural rights. 43. Angola welcomed the ratification of and the harmonization of domestic legislation with international human rights instruments, the establishment of a national human rights institution and the adoption of education measures in Equatorial Guinea. It expressed concern about the female dropout rate from and access to schools. 44. Argentina noted the legislative amendments introduced and encouraged Equatorial Guinea to take further steps, including abolition of the death penalty. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to extend a permanent invitation to OHCHR and special procedures, and expressed concern about women’s rights. 6