A/HRC/30/3 106. Peru expressed concern about the lack of a national human rights institution, the lack of independence of the judiciary and the government control of the media. 107. The Philippines welcomed the increased participation of women in political and social life and encouraged Belarus to continue its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. 108. Poland expressed concern at continued human rights violations which were of a systemic and systematic nature. 109. Portugal was concerned at systematic violations of human rights and noted that Belarus was the only country in Europe to apply the death penalty. 110. The Republic of Korea appreciated the adoption by Belarus of legislation on equality in education, preventing human trafficking, improving the judicial system and supporting families with children. 111. Romania commended the steps taken since the last review, while noting challenges hindering the full enjoyment of human rights. 112. The Russian Federation welcomed the consistent cooperation of Belarus with the universal periodic review and the measures it had taken to strengthen human rights protection. 113. Rwanda commended the adoption of laws and regulations aimed at improving national legislation and noted the significant reduction in infant mortality. 114. Senegal welcomed the accession of Belarus to several human rights conventions and the legislative measures it had taken to guarantee quality education and better functioning of the judiciary. 115. Serbia commended the efforts Belarus had made in the universal periodic review process and its engagement with non-governmental stakeholders. 116. Sierra Leone acknowledged the progress Belarus had made since the first universal periodic review and urged it to prosecute all acts of violence against women. 117. Cuba stated that Belarus had undeniably made progress on human rights. 118. Slovakia invited Belarus to accede to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and expressed concern about the independence and impartiality of the justice system. 119. Slovenia noted the commitment of Belarus to the international trend towards the gradual abolition of the death penalty. It remained concerned about continuing human rights violations. 120. Spain was concerned that Belarus continued to be the last country in Europe to apply the death penalty. 121. Sri Lanka recognized the efforts of Belarus to safeguard the socioeconomic rights of its people, as reflected in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. 122. The State of Palestine acknowledged the efforts of Belarus to promote and protect human rights since the first review and welcomed various measures to ensure the education of children. 123. The Sudan noted with satisfaction the legislative and judicial reforms related to education, copyright protection, trafficking and the achievement of five of the Millennium Development Goals. 11