A/HRC/38/16 human rights institution and the consolidation of different Ombudsman institutions under its umbrella. Azerbaijan acknowledged the progress made in addressing the challenges related to discrimination, notably by amending the Criminal Code to include criminal responsibility for public incitement of hatred and discrimination on various grounds. 43. Benin congratulated Liechtenstein on its level of democracy and the steps taken to implement previous universal periodic review recommendations. It stressed the importance of establishing and operationalizing a national human rights institution and ratifying international instruments for the promotion and protection of human rights. Legislative measures were needed to strengthen compliance with the gender equality approach. 44. Bosnia and Herzegovina commended Liechtenstein for its long-standing commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights and for the steps taken to strengthen their foundations. It welcomed the country’s signature and ratification of a number of international and European instruments on the protection of human rights, and hailed the creation of an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles. 45. Brazil invited Liechtenstein to consider becoming a party to the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. In addition, it commended Liechtenstein for its comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and related initiatives, especially with regard to the promotion of vulnerable groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 46. Bulgaria welcomed the ratification by Liechtenstein of a number of international and European human rights instruments, and hailed the establishment of the Liechtenstein Human Rights Association and the Office of Social Services. It commended efforts to enhance gender equality and empower women, as reflected by the narrowing of the gender pay gap over the past decade. It praised Liechtenstein for the progress made in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and in promoting their integration into professional and social life. It welcomed the priority given to combating human trafficking. 47. Canada welcomed the establishment by Liechtenstein of a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles. 48. Chile welcomed the creation of the national human rights institution and urged Liechtenstein to provide it with sufficient resources. It commended the ratification of a number of international human rights instruments since 2013. Chile welcomed the legal amendments to, and the inclusion of a broad definition of discrimination in, domestic law. Chile was concerned at the decreasing representation of women in politics and urged Liechtenstein to promote gender equality in all spheres of society. 49. China commended the efforts of Liechtenstein to promote and protect human rights. Liechtenstein strove to eradicate inequality and discrimination and to strengthen the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Nonetheless, gender inequalities persisted, for example, women were underrepresented in political and public life, the gender pay gap persisted and was worsening and prison conditions in the country required further improvements. 50. The delegation stated that the Office for Foreign Affairs was the main body in charge of coordinating the preparation of the national report, in close cooperation with the relevant ministries and offices responsible for the various issues covered by the report. The Office also ensured the coordination of the implementation of review recommendations and the monitoring of progress in that regard. The drafting of the report and the follow-up process involved dialogue with civil society organizations. In 2017, as a part of the followup to the implementation of the recommendations received relating to the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Liechtenstein had established a working group to oversee that process. That approach might possibly serve as a model for future processes, including the universal periodic review follow-up. Generally, the workload for reporting had intensified in the past few years, making for quite a challenge, particularly for a small administration such as that of Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein therefore supported processes at the international level to strengthen the reporting mechanisms and to make them efficient and effective. Whenever 7