A/HRC/37/10 27. Brazil commended the development of national action plans to combat racial discrimination and the worst forms of child labour. It welcomed the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. It encouraged Benin to expedite the ratification of other relevant human rights instruments. 28. Congo commended the adoption of the Children’s Code. It encouraged the effective implementation of its provisions to eliminate any risk of death or abandonment of children with disabilities at birth, or those so-called “witch children”, and to protect children from sale, trafficking and economic and sexual exploitation. Congo welcomed the cooperation of Benin with the treaty bodies and special procedures. 29. Côte d’Ivoire congratulated Benin for the regulatory and legislative measures it had taken to follow up on the recommendations from its second review, particularly the Government Action Programme 2016–2021 and the laws on the Human Rights Commission, the Electoral Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. 30. Croatia welcomed the adoption of the Children’s Code and the ratification of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. It supported the efforts of Benin to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. Croatia expressed concern at the socioeconomic and regional disparities in children’s access to education. It encouraged Benin to address impunity regarding children’s rights. 31. Guatemala regretted reports according to which the Human Rights Commission was still not operational, as well as reports of harmful practices against women and girls, in particular female genital mutilation. 32. Djibouti congratulated Benin for the measures it had taken since its last universal periodic review, notably the creation of a national authority to combat corruption, the adoption in 2015 of the Children’s Code and the establishment of a national policy to protect children. 33. Egypt commended Benin for the progress it had made on human rights by enhancing legislative structures to ensure the harmonization of national legislation with international standards. It praised the country’s submission of its periodic reports to the treaties bodies. 34. Ethiopia commended Benin for its protection and promotion of human rights. It praised its commitment to make education accessible to all, which, in its opinion, had been fulfilled gradually over the past 10 years. 35. France praised the adoption of the Children’s Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the text on the creation of the Human Rights Commission. It commended the policies on the protection of children, the development of the justice system and combating violence against women. It was, however, concerned at the situation of vulnerable persons. 36. Georgia praised the ratification of several international agreements and conventions by Benin, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the adoption of the Children’s Code. While welcoming the establishment in 2013 of the Human Rights Commission, it regretted that it was still not operational. 37. Germany expressed appreciation for the efforts undertaken by Benin to implement the recommendations it had received during its second review and the constructive way in which it was dealing with them. However, Germany remained concerned at the continuing human rights violations. 38. Ghana welcomed the ratification of international treaties by Benin and the national plan to combat racial discrimination, the National Health Development Plan (2009–2018), the national policy to protect children and the national policy on the development of the justice system. Ghana urged Benin to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 39. Cuba noted that Benin had taken measures to harmonize its national legislation and adopt policies on human rights. Cuba praised the commitment by Benin to apply a new GE.17-23482 5