A/HRC/43/11 35. The United States noted the steps taken to improve the human rights record but expressed concern about crackdowns on human rights activists. 36. Uruguay urged further progress on sexual and reproductive rights and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons’ rights. 37. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela valued the ratification of human rights treaties and the priority given to gender equality in political participation. 38. Viet Nam welcomed the efforts to increase birth registration and school enrolment rates and prevent violence against children. 39. Yemen welcomed the adoption of national policies on human rights, education and for women and young people. 40. Zambia commended Angola for the financial contribution to OHCHR and the criminalization of female genital mutilation through the new Penal Code. 41. Afghanistan welcomed the reduction in the gender gap in primary education and the admittance of migrants and asylum seekers. 42. Algeria noted the steps taken by Angola to improve the human rights situation, including the ratification of human rights conventions. 43. Argentina noted the revisions to the new Penal Code decriminalizing same-sex relationships. 44. Armenia encouraged Angola to ratify the core human rights instruments to which it was not yet a party. 45. Australia encouraged the continuation of the positive reforms on human rights, while acknowledging the progress made. 46. Austria highlighted the plight of orphans and homeless children who lacked access to education and health services. 47. Azerbaijan commended Angola for implementing recommendations from the previous review, including the ratification of several core conventions. 48. Belarus noted the presence of the necessary institutional framework for human rights protection and improvements to national legislation. 49. Belgium welcomed the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 50. The Plurinational State of Bolivia noted the priority given to poverty reduction and sustainable development, and the policies for the empowerment of women in rural areas. 51. Botswana noted the progress made in child protection, poverty eradication, HIV prevention and combating corruption, among others. 52. Brazil encouraged Angola to computerize judicial proceedings and to strengthen action against HIV/AIDS and the main endemic diseases. 53. Bulgaria noted the recent ratification of core human rights conventions and the efforts made to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework. 54. Burkina Faso noted the progress made and the broad participation in the process of preparing the national report. 55. Burundi stated that the initiatives taken demonstrated the commitment of Angola to improve its human rights record. 56. Canada noted the reforms undertaken, including the legislative steps to protect persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 57. The Central African Republic noted the initiatives in human rights protection, including the enactment of a new Penal Code. 5