A/HRC/40/12 the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. 83. Algeria welcomed measures to promote the right to justice and combat impunity. It praised the adoption of the Gender Parity Act establishing a quota of at least 35 per cent female representation as well as the measures taken to promote birth registration. 84. Angola took note of the efforts made to ensure respect for human rights in a national context that, marked by public insecurity, threatened the authority of the State and compromised the well-being of its population. 85. Argentina expressed concern about the political, humanitarian and security situation of the country, as it affected the enjoyment of human rights. 86. Armenia welcomed the ratification of treaties by the Central African Republic and, with the adoption of the Code of Military Justice, its progress towards the abolition of the death penalty. However, it remained concerned about the challenges in the area. 87. Australia welcomed the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and was pleased by the Special Criminal Court initiative. It regretted, however, that the death penalty applied to certain crimes despite progress towards its abolition. 88. Belgium noted the country’s engagement and progress made regarding transitional justice, while stating that further actions should be taken. Despite a number of measures, there were still concerns about the protection of the rights of children in armed conflicts. 89. Benin praised the country’s ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and its human rights initiatives in a difficult context. 90. Botswana commended the Central African Republic for adopting a new constitution, holding presidential and parliamentary elections and establishing the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It also welcomed other institutional steps. 91. Brazil congratulated the Central African Republic for its cooperation with the United Nations in consolidating peace, especially with regard to the work of MINUSCA and the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the country. 92. Burkina Faso welcomed the return to constitutional order implied by the holding of presidential and legislative elections and the adoption of the new Constitution in March 2016. 93. Burundi welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution and the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and efforts to combat impunity, particularly the establishment of the Special Criminal Court and the Joint Unit for Rapid Intervention and the Suppression of Sexual Violence against Women and Children and the adoption of the Code on Military Justice. 94. Cameroon expressed its admiration for the resilience of the people of the Central African Republic and welcomed the country’s political determination to strengthen institutions and facilitate enjoyment of human rights. 95. Canada congratulated the Central African Republic for successfully holding elections in 2015/16 and underscored the efforts it had made to restore peace and security and fight impunity by establishing the Special Criminal Court. 96. Chile congratulated the country for its efforts in a climate of insecurity. However, it was concerned about impunity for sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of children by armed groups. 97. China welcomed the efforts made by the country to promote peace, reconciliation and disarmament through dialogue and reduce poverty, improve education and health, promote gender equality and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities. GE.19-00176 9