A/HRC/34/8 41. Nigeria commended Zimbabwe for accepting the majority of the recommendations arising from its first review and acknowledged the national plan of action for their implementation. Nigeria was encouraged by the bold step taken by Zimbabwe on economic development. 42. Denmark expressed concern about the lack of freedom of assembly and association and the lack of space for civil society. It was also concerned about the absence of a constitutionally aligned policy framework for the justice institutions. 43. Pakistan welcomed the strengthening by Zimbabwe of its institutional human rights framework and noted the measures taken to promote the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities. 44. Uruguay expressed the hope that the 2013 Constitution would have a positive impact on the enjoyment of human rights by the people of Zimbabwe. 45. The Philippines welcomed the expansion of the Declaration of Rights in the 2013 Constitution. It was concerned that limited funding and a restricted mandate would impinge on the ability of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to effectively monitor children’s rights and receive and investigate complaints from children in a child-sensitive manner. 46. Portugal welcomed the ratification, since the first review, of two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). 47. The Republic of Korea welcomed the adoption of the 2013 Constitution and the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable and Socioeconomic Transformation. 48. The Russian Federation noted the improvement in the legislative framework on human rights. It welcomed the establishment of interministerial committees to combat sexual violence and trafficking in persons and the steps taken to improve prison conditions. 49. Rwanda commended the efforts made by Zimbabwe to implement, under difficult conditions, the recommendations arising from its first review, as well as its efforts to promote gender equality and combat gender-based violence. 50. Senegal noted the progresses made by Zimbabwe since 2011 and welcomed the multipartite composition of the steering committee on the universal periodic review. 51. Serbia commended the participatory approach adopted by Zimbabwe in preparing its national report and encouraged it to continue aligning its laws with the new Constitution, including the Declaration of Rights. 52. Sierra Leone commended Zimbabwe for the adoption of a new Constitution and noted that harmful practices such as child marriage had been banned. 53. Slovenia appreciated the presentation of the national report and commended Zimbabwe for the efforts made since its previous review. 54. South Africa recognized the progress made by Zimbabwe in promoting and protecting human rights despite the economic sanctions, which had severely constrained its ability to implement its human rights obligations. 55. South Sudan recognized that Zimbabwe was cooperating with the international human rights mechanisms and called upon the international community to support it with financial and technical assistance. 7