A/HRC/41/5 116. The Philippines recognized the efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda, and appreciated the efforts made to address the drug trade. 117. Poland noted the significant legal and practical achievements of the State, including combating corruption, the promotion of women’s empowerment, and access to health and education, but was alarmed at the allegations of torture and the recruitment and abuse of children, among others. 118. Portugal commended the work of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. 119. Qatar welcomed the strengthening of the rule of law and the fight against corruption. It commended the efforts to implement the National Peace and Development Framework and to strengthen economic, social and cultural rights. 120. The Republic of Korea acknowledged the efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework on human rights, especially the new Penal Code. 121. The Republic of Moldova noted the measures taken to implement the law on the elimination of violence against women. It was concerned about the large number of prisoners on death row and the execution of minors. 122. Romania noted the efforts to improve human rights, and stressed the importance of ensuring the full exercise of human rights by all citizens. 123. The Russian Federation supported the efforts to address human rights issues, but noted that women faced discrimination, violence and forced and early marriage. 124. Saudi Arabia applauded the integration of human rights in the legal, judicial and security sectors, and also the provision of training workshops. 125. Senegal commended the lifting of reservations to article 20 of the Convention against Torture and the progress in the legislative area, and encouraged more efforts to eradicate poverty. 126. Serbia commended the efforts of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, and encouraged it to continue to exercise its vital functions. 127. Singapore acknowledged the efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and to ensure children’s access to education. It welcomed the draft national policy on girls’ education. 128. Slovakia appreciated the State’s efforts, but was concerned about the threats, acts of intimidation and harassment faced by civil society actors and women and girls. 129. Slovenia commended the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission for its independence. It was concerned that women and children disproportionately suffered from the effects of corruption, despite the commitment made to combat corruption. 130. Spain noted the efforts made in the area of human rights, especially on violence against women, and the challenges posed by limited institutional capacity and resources. 131. Sri Lanka welcomed the State’s withdrawal of its reservations to article 20 of the Convention against Torture, its accession to the Optional Protocol to that Convention, and the enactment of laws incorporating provisions of the Convention and its efforts to implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). 132. The State of Palestine commended Afghanistan for providing mechanisms to respect the rights and needs of internally displaced persons and returnees, and for adopting the national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). 133. Afghanistan stressed that it was among the first Islamic countries to support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In recent years, it had strengthened its cooperation with the United Nations system, including with OHCHR. 134. Although global terror had targeted Afghanistan, it had contributed fully to ensuring security in the region. The situation at the time of the review was characterized by the large number of casualties due to the conflict. Despite the challenge posed by terrorist groups, 10