A/HRC/43/4 49. Cuba noted measures that had been adopted to support low-income families and combat gender-based violence. 50. Cyprus commended initiatives by Italy to promote cultural heritage as an integral part of the promotion and protection of human rights. 51. Czechia welcomed the establishment of the national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture. 52. Denmark commended the adoption of the law on unaccompanied minors, while highlighting the need to ensure its full implementation. 53. Djibouti welcomed the adoption of a number of international human rights instruments. 54. The Dominican Republic acknowledged the progress made regarding the legal and institutional framework on human rights. 55. Ecuador welcomed the establishment of facilities to access credit, and the training and support, for women’s entrepreneurship. 56. Egypt welcomed the adoption of the national action plan dealing with human trafficking. 57. Ethiopia commended Italy for its midterm report on the implementation of the recommendations from the second cycle. 58. Fiji commended the leadership of Italy in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty. 59. France commended progress made in Italy in the area of justice, particularly on alternative measures to detention. 60. The Italian delegation stated that, following the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Observatory on Persons with Disabilities had been established, and the Second Action Programme for the Promotion of the Rights and the Integration of Persons with Disabilities had been adopted in 2017. For the 2019 financial year, Parliament had taken steps to consolidate all the main funds with an impact on the rights and quality of life of persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Education had established a technical board to define draft guidelines for the certification of disability, focusing on the biopsychosocial model and in accordance with international classifications. 61. In 2016, Italy had adopted its first National Action Plan against Trafficking in and Serious Exploitation of Human Beings, aimed at defining multi-year strategies to prevent and fight against these phenomena. In Italy, all forms of trafficking in human beings were prohibited. The issuance of residence permits was not subject to the willingness of victims to collaborate with investigative mechanisms. 62. Italy had put in place a firm strategy against labour exploitation, and Law No. 199/2016 had introduced new penal instruments. 63. The most recent national elections had seen an increase in the number of women in Parliament to 35, or 4 per cent. Italy stressed its commitment to implementing relevant policies: policies aimed at reinforcing girls’ empowerment, such as the “educating for respect” guidelines on gender equality and preventing gender-based violence and all forms of discrimination; policies for women’s businesses; policies to promote and support worklife balance; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) month in all schools. 64. Gabon appreciated the efforts made in promoting fundamental rights and freedoms of vulnerable groups. 65. Georgia welcomed the amendments to the Criminal Code and the introduction of non-custodial measures. 66. Germany welcomed the new law against torture, of 2017, which had resulted in further improvements of prison conditions. 5