A/HRC/40/9 the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms, and the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up within that Ministry. 40. Australia welcomed the adoption of the Equal Opportunities (Amendment) Act and the implementation of disability-inclusive policies, but remained concerned at the persistence of barriers to gender equality, lengthy investigations and imprisonment without trial, and the criminalization of homosexuality. 41. Belgium welcomed the commitment made by Mauritius to respect human rights, but remained concerned about violence and discrimination against women and a lack of respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 42. Bhutan commended the ratification of major human rights treaties and the establishment of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up. It encouraged Mauritius to take further steps to protect the rights of children and eliminate domestic violence. 43. Botswana noted with appreciation the progress made by Mauritius in the implementation of its international human rights obligations, such as laws on equal opportunities, domestication of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the provision of legal assistance to accused persons. 44. Brazil congratulated Mauritius for introducing a national minimum wage in the private and public sectors, for increasing women’s participation in political life, and for its efforts to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to eliminate stigma and discrimination in health-care settings. 45. Burundi welcomed the various measures adopted to empower women and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them. It also welcomed the domestic legal provisions that criminalized genocide and other atrocities constituting war crimes. 46. Cameroon commended the institutional progress made to improve the human rights situation in Mauritius, and commended its policy aimed at guaranteeing the protection of children’s rights. 47. Canada welcomed the progress made by Mauritius in preventing gender-based violence, including amendments to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act, and recognized its efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict those suspected of trafficking in persons. 48. Chad appreciated the measures taken by Mauritius to protect and promote human rights in the fields of health and education, and to strengthen its cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms. 49. Chile appreciated the creation of the Human Rights Secretariat and the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up, but was concerned about the high number of early marriages, the stigmatization of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, and the small number of women in decision-making positions. 50. China appreciated that Mauritius had enacted a number of bills to strengthen human rights guarantees, combated discrimination and hate speech, conducted human rights training for law enforcement officials, developed health and education services and worked to protect the rights of vulnerable groups. 51. The Comoros underlined efforts made to protect the rights of children, persons with disabilities and older persons. 52. The Congo acknowledged the commitment made by Mauritius to address environmental issues through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, and the mobilization of adequate means to guarantee the right to health care for everyone. 53. Côte d’Ivoire congratulated Mauritius on its many reforms, which had enabled progress in the areas of the economy, democracy and good governance. It encouraged Mauritius to ensure better protection of human rights throughout its territory. 6