A/HRC/30/3 30. Uruguay welcomed the fact that Belarus was preparing to sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 31. Argentina welcomed the 2012–2016 action plan on children’s rights. It urged Belarus to establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. 32. Uzbekistan noted the achievements Belarus had made in the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and its efforts in combating trafficking in persons. 33. Viet Nam highlighted the progress Belarus had made to ensure social security, health services, education and decent work conditions and to protect vulnerable groups. 34. Zimbabwe noted the social welfare policies for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, as well as the human rights education awareness programme. 35. Algeria welcomed the accession of Belarus to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and its efforts towards accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 36. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela acknowledged the implementation of the previous universal periodic review recommendations and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the social protection policies in place in Belarus. 37. Austria commended Belarus for its more constructive engagement with European partners. 38. Azerbaijan noted the strengthening of the human rights legal framework, the better understanding between religions and the cooperation of Belarus with human rights mechanisms. 39. Bahrain commended the measures that had been taken to implement previous universal periodic review recommendations, to improve minorities’ rights and to combat xenophobia and racial discrimination. 40. Bangladesh noted the achievements Belarus had made in implementing free and compulsory education, raising women’s education to a high level and reducing maternal and infant mortality. 41. Belgium welcomed the submission by Belarus of a progress report on the implementation of its universal periodic review recommendations. 42. Nicaragua commended Belarus for the legislative reforms it had introduced based on universal periodic review recommendations, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the national plan on international technical cooperation. 43. Bosnia and Herzegovina commended Belarus for its ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and its efforts to establish a national human rights institution. 44. Brazil welcomed the national plan on gender equality. 45. Botswana noted the legislative and policy measures that had been taken since the previous review. It was concerned about mass arrests of demonstrators. 46. Brunei Darussalam commended Belarus for its efforts to improve and adopt national legislation to fulfil its international obligations. 47. Canada was deeply concerned at the ongoing detention of political prisoners and at continuing restrictions on civil society. 48. Chile urged Belarus to strengthen its cooperation with human rights mechanisms, especially the special procedures. 6