A/HRC/23/12 rights of persons with disabilities. Montenegro had taken action to protect minority rights and combat discrimination, improve work on children’s education and health and has contributed to international cooperation in the field of trafficking in persons. China made a recommendation. 42. Costa Rica welcomed efforts to guarantee the right to a healthy environment, including awareness-raising and citizen involvement. It acknowledged the institutional framework to monitor the protection and promotion of human rights and measures to increase women’s participation in the political sphere. It asked whether measures had been taken to avoid appointing women to fill electoral lists that left them with little possibility of being elected. It made recommendations. 43. Croatia welcomed steps undertaken to implement the recommendations of the 2008 UPR, especially those aimed at ensuring the rights of prisoners and protecting citizens from discrimination. Croatia requested further information on the measures taken to reduce the prison population and improve its conditions. It also requested additional information concerning the finalization of the Strategy for combating homophobia, the role of the civil society and the main principles on which the strategy was based. 44. Cuba welcomed progress in establishing a legislative and institutional framework for the exercise, protection and promotion of human rights and highlighted Montenegro’s efforts regarding the rights of persons with disabilities. It commended the action plan for persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on children, and the measures and strategy adopted to combat domestic violence. Cuba made a recommendation. 45. Cyprus commended efforts to combat discrimination against vulnerable groups. Recalling efforts to better integrate persons with disabilities into political, social and economic life, it noted the establishment of the Council for the care of persons with disabilities. Reports indicated, however, that children with disabilities continued to face significant challenges, which raise the question of what measures are envisaged to improve their situation. 46. Estonia acknowledged the establishment of several bodies to monitor the protection of human rights and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) and CRPD. It encouraged the Government to continue its actions on gender equality and to implement the strategy and action plan for combating human trafficking. Legislation on freedom of expression has been harmonized with European standards, although more could be done to protect journalists and prosecute violence against them. Estonia made a recommendation. 47. The United States of America recognized success in the areas of LGBT rights, torture prevention and housing for refugees in the Konik camp. Despite efforts to resolve the legal status of refugees, concerns remained about the thousands who are still not registered. The lack of political will and judicial independence to tackle corruption raised concerns. Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (RAE) face widespread prejudice, often condoned by local authorities, and an action plan for their inclusion lack formal implementation. It made a recommendation. 48. France welcomed the progress made by Montenegro in the field of human rights, noting in particular the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED) and the adoption of the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination. A number of challenges nonetheless remains. France made recommendations. 49. Germany welcomed progress on the Roma inclusion in education, but was concerned that many Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians were not legally registered. It requested 7