A/HRC/39/15 94. China complimented Cameroon on its formulation and implementation of the National Action Plan for 2015–2019, and on its efforts to promote economic and social development, to reduce poverty and to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and refugees. China called upon the international community to support constructively the State in its efforts to fight terrorism. 95. The Congo acknowledged the strengthening of the regulatory framework and the State’s adoption and implementation of the National Action Plan for 2015–2019, and invited Cameroon to continue its initiatives in favour of vulnerable populations. 96. Finland welcomed the progress made by the State in the promotion of women’s rights, but was concerned at the deterioration of the overall situation of human rights, aggravated by anti-terror laws. Finland encouraged Cameroon to give access to international human rights mechanisms, including with respect to those held in detention. 97. France expressed its concern at the fact that the situation of human rights and of fundamental freedoms was not critically questioned in most parts of the country, and therefore called upon the State to pursue efforts to improve that situation. 98. Gabon welcomed the training on human rights provided to judicial officers and public administration executives, and also the efforts made to allow all citizens access to drinking water. 99. Georgia commended Cameroon for having ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and for its adoption of the national gender policy paper. 100. Germany appreciated the amendment made to the Penal Code, but remained concerned about the persistence of violence against women and at reports of violations of freedom of the press and the right to assembly in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. 101. Ghana urged Cameroon to finalize its ratification of regional and international human rights treaties such as the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 102. Haiti praised the efforts made by Cameroon to ensure universal birth registration and the protection of children against sexual exploitation, and commended the review conducted in 2016 of its legal and institutional framework. 103. Honduras complimented Cameroon for having ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and for having criminalized discrimination. 104. While appreciative of the adoption of article 242 of the Penal Code prohibiting all types of discrimination, Iceland remained concerned about the high rate of maternal mortality and the gender-based conditions in force with regard to Cameroonian nationality. 105. India welcomed the strengthening of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, the plans for combating poverty, vulnerability and exclusion, the national gender policy paper and the amendment to the Penal Code. 106. Indonesia commended Cameroon for its ratification of relevant human rights instruments and its greater efforts to protect the economic and social rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and persons with disabilities. 107. Iraq praised Cameroon for its implementation of the National Action Plan for 2015– 2019 and the employment plan for 2014–2017, and also its efforts to guarantee drinking water and to prevent discrimination against women. 108. Ireland was pleased to note the steps taken by Cameroon to combat violence against women and children, but remained concerned about reports of violence and discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community and human rights defenders. GE.18-11388 9