A/HRC/38/10 41. The Netherlands expressed serious concern about the general lack of progress on human rights, including with respect to the continuing shrinkage of space for media and the rising hostility towards, and intimidation of, journalists. 42. New Zealand welcomed the new law targeting sexual violence. 43. Norway was gravely concerned about the rampant human rights violations in Burundi. 44. Pakistan welcomed, inter alia, political measures on legal aid, the gender units of various ministries, and the special courts for juveniles and for gender-based violence. 45. Poland welcomed the law on human trafficking and the respective national action plan. It expressed concern about the State’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the suspension of its cooperation with OHCHR. 46. Portugal welcomed efforts to promote gender equality. It expressed regret that Burundi had withdrawn from the Rome Statute, and expressed concern about reports of human rights violations. 47. The Republic of Korea expressed concern about the recent civil and political situation in Burundi, which jeopardized the rule of law, about the suspension of cooperation with OHCHR and about the detention of returnees. 48. The Republic of Moldova expressed regret about the suspended cooperation with OHCHR and the rejection of mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. It expressed concern about the exacerbation of violence against women, including sexual violence. 49. The Russian Federation welcomed steps to ensure the realization of economic and social rights, to adopt legislation banning the use of torture, to reform education and to raise awareness of discrimination against persons with albinism. 50. Rwanda remained gravely concerned at the deterioration in the human rights situation. It called on Burundi to investigate gross and systematic human rights violations and restore cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms. 51. Senegal welcomed the ratification of international instruments, the adoption of legislation on human trafficking and the revision of the labour code aimed at reinforcing the rights of women at work. 52. Sierra Leone applauded the measures taken to raise awareness of and support persons with albinism. It encouraged Burundi to establish a mechanism to hold accountable those accused of crimes against humanity. 53. Slovenia remained concerned about the overall human rights situation, and encouraged Burundi to extend to OHCHR the commitment it had demonstrated under the universal periodic review process. 54. South Africa commended the State’s efforts to prevent trafficking in persons and gender-based violence, to train judges and police officers to prevent torture, and to reduce the number of young people in detention. 55. Spain made recommendations. 56. Sri Lanka welcomed efforts to ratify international instruments and implement the national gender policy action plan covering the period from 2012 to 2016. 57. The head of the Burundian delegation stated that the situation in his country had improved noticeably since 2015. In respect of the concerns expressed about the protection of human rights defenders, he said that such persons were not considered a distinct category and that they were not prosecuted because of their status. If they committed offences, they were punished in the same way as any other person. The judiciary had asked some defenders to explain themselves on account of their participation in the insurrectional movement and the attempted coup d’état of 2015. Some media outlets, on the other hand, remained closed because the people in charge of them had refused to cooperate with the judiciary. New radio stations had begun broadcasting and there were now a total of 25 stations that respected professional ethics. GE.18-06283 5