A/HRC/33/11 86. Belgium commended Tajikistan for welcoming visits by special procedure mandate holders and expressed the hope that a standing invitation would be extended shortly. Belgium reminded Tajikistan of the recommendations it had accepted during the first review to ensure the independence of the body responsible for appointing judges. 87. Canada acknowledged the steps taken to promote gender equality and combat violence against women. It remained concerned about the decision taken by the Supreme Court to ban the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, which restricted the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. 88. Chad noted the State’s cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms on implementing their recommendations. It noted the legal and practical steps taken to improve the protection and promotion of human rights. 89. China noted the achievements of Tajikistan in the field of poverty reduction, inter alia, and its focus on gender equality. It further noted the 2013 act on the prevention of domestic violence. It called upon the international community to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to support the development of Tajikistan. 90. Colombia highlighted the State’s commitment to advancing the implementation of the recommendations from the first review, in particular the Government’s strategy to promote the role of women and the act on the prevention of domestic violence. 91. Costa Rica noted the progress made, including measures to strengthen the role of the Ombudsman, and to combat torture. It was, however, concerned at reports of the persistence of torture and ill-treatment, the low level of representation of women in decision-making positions and the violence used in response to public protests. 92. Cuba highlighted the State’s cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, its reform of the judiciary and penitentiaries and its adoption of the act on combating trafficking in persons and providing assistance to victims. 93. The Czech Republic expressed appreciation for the responses provided by Tajikistan to some of its questions and made recommendations. 94. Denmark expressed its hope that Tajikistan would accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, despite the fact that it had taken note of recommendations to ratify it during the first universal periodic review. 95. Egypt highlighted the adoption of the amendment to the law on the Commissioner for Human Rights, the adoption of national human rights action plans, the implementation of significant judicial reforms, the expansion of human rights education, the training provided to law enforcement officials and the enhancement of women’s participation in public life. 96. France welcomed the delegation of Tajikistan and made recommendations. 97. Georgia noted the efforts of Tajikistan to prevent torture, enhance the role of women and protect the rights of children. Georgia welcomed the State’s cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and encouraged Tajikistan to extend a standing invitation to the special procedure mandate holders. 98. Germany noted some encouraging developments with regard to the prevention of torture, but was of the opinion that Tajikistan had not fully implemented the Convention against Torture. It noted that the Government’s promise to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty had not been fulfilled. 99. Ghana welcomed the State’s efforts to ratify some of the core international human rights treaties, but was concerned at reports that the use of torture persisted despite the 12