A/HRC/37/10 93. Timor-Leste commended the adoption of the action plan against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the Government’s decision in 2015 to exempt girls from fees for secondary schools. 94. Togo commended Benin for the improvements it had made in the field of human rights and the various positive legislative changes, and the creation of a national institution to promote women’s rights and of a national authority to combat corruption. Togo called on the international community to continue supporting Benin in its efforts to improve the situation of vulnerable persons. 95. Tunisia welcomed the steps taken by Benin to implement recommendations from the previous cycle. It commended the cooperation of Benin with UNHCR and the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. 96. Turkey welcomed the adoption of the Children’s Code in 2015 and the decision to exempt girls from fees at secondary schools. It appreciated the legislative progress in Benin and the national action plans in the area of human rights. 97. Ukraine welcomed the adoption of the Children’s Code, the Information and Communication Code and the law on the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. Ukraine recognized the commitment of Benin to eliminate torture and the steps taken in that regard, including the adoption of new laws and the organization of related training programmes. 98. The United Kingdom welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish the death penalty. It urged Benin to implement recommendations regarding prison conditions. It remained concerned at the continued practice of ritual infanticide and urged Benin to work closely with experts and NGOs to eradicate it. It supported recommendations from the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material. While welcoming the measures taken in the security sector, it remained concerned at the lack of independence of the judiciary. 99. The United States recognized the efforts of Benin to protect children from human trafficking. However, it remained concerned at the lack of sufficient measures and that the penalties for trafficking crimes were weak. It applauded the launch of a national authority to combat corruption and the collaboration between the Government and civil society actors on good governance and transparency initiatives. It noted that early and forced marriage continued to be a major problem in Benin. 100. Uruguay, while welcoming the measures that had been taken by Benin to eliminate gender imbalance, it shared the concern of OHCHR at the absence of a national mechanism for monitoring the rights of women and the lack of related data. Uruguay welcomed the advances regarding birth registration further to the creation of the General Direction of the Civil Registry. It was concerned at the observations made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding the accessibility and quality of education. 101. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the legislative progress that had been made in Benin, including the adoption of the law on community work in 2016 and the Children’s Code in 2015. It highlighted the implementation of the Government Action Programme 2016–2021, aimed at strengthening democracy. 102. Viet Nam welcomed the results of Benin in implementing the recommendations made during the second cycle, and the public policies to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights, in particular the adoption of laws on promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and the Children’s Code. It noted the challenges faced by Benin regarding food security, access to drinking water and housing. 103. Zambia noted with satisfaction the measures taken to combat poverty, strengthen the justice system, reduce prison overcrowding, combat violence against women and children and promote economic, social and cultural rights, including improving prison conditions. 104. Zimbabwe welcomed the creation of the Human Rights Commission, the adoption of the Children’s Code and the development of the national action plans to combat and 10 GE.17-23482