A/HRC/44/8 issues, progress had been made. In the 2019/20 budget speech, the Government had undertaken to increase targeted HIV testing and services to key populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. The Government, through the Human Rights Unit of the Ministry of Law and Constitutional Affairs, had carried out an assessment of the legal environment concerning HIV/AIDS in 2014, supported by the United Nations Development Programme. The aim of the assessment had been to improve the availability of information, and legal and regulatory aspects governing HIV-related issues, while taking into account the rights of key populations, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 16. Lesotho had taken steps to repeal criminal defamation laws or insult laws, which impeded freedom of speech. The High Court, sitting as the Constitutional Court, had declared, on 21 May 2018, that criminal defamation was unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court held that criminalizing defamation had a dire effect on journalistic freedom of expression, resulting in self-censorship by journalists and consequently a lessinformed public. Recommendations in that regard had been partially implemented. 17. As regards new developments, Lesotho was reforming the Constitution, Parliament, security legislation, the judiciary and public services, which were key for the long-term stability and economic transformation of Lesotho. 18. The challenges facing the country included the decline in agricultural production as a result of deteriorating rangeland conditions, soil erosion and periodic droughts. As a result, the country was experiencing worsening food deficits as a net food importing developing country, thus contributing to widening poverty and food insecurity. Despite such challenges, Lesotho looked to the future with enthusiasm. 19. The head of the delegation concluded by answering the advance questions of the United Kingdom. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 20. During the interactive dialogue, 81 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 21. Djibouti expressed its appreciation with regard to the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance as well as the adoption of a number of human rights instruments. 22. Egypt commended the promotion of the rights of women and children with disabilities, hailed efforts in the sphere of education, health care and combating corruption, and welcomed the creation of the National Human Rights Commission. 23. Eswatini welcomed and thanked the delegation of Lesotho for their comprehensive report, primarily on the implementation of the recommendations from the second review cycle. 24. Fiji welcomed achievements in implementing recommendations from the previous review cycle and commended Lesotho on developing its National Climate Change Policy 2017 and the National Resilience Strategic Framework 2017–2030 to prevent and mitigate disaster risks. 25. Ethiopia commended the decision by Lesotho to mainstream disaster risk reduction and resilience through the adoption of the National Resilience Strategic Framework and welcomed its plan in the health sector to reduce maternal mortality. 26. France expressed its appreciation for the efforts made by Lesotho to improve access to health and children’s rights, but wished to call attention to the fact that the human rights situation remained fragile. 27. Georgia welcomed the measures taken by the Government to combat trafficking in persons, in particular the development of the regulations and the national action plan to implement the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2011. 4