A/HRC/41/2 4. General comments made by other stakeholders 558. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of New Zealand, six other stakeholders made statements. 559. Villages unis welcomed positive steps taken by New Zealand including the ratification of core human rights instruments. It noted the ratification in 2016 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It stated that the action by the Prime Minister after the killings of Muslims by a terrorist set an example to the international community. 560. Action Canada for Population and Development noted that the Government had stated that protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights was a priority. However, it indicated that there was no evidence that such rights were a priority, given the existence of significant inequities and the lack of policy, funding and services dedicated to addressing these. It noted that efforts to develop a national action plan on sexual and reproductive health and rights had not progressed and had faced challenges including insufficient and inconsistent consultation with the sector. The draft plan’s proposed measures were flawed, and there was no mechanism to ensure accountability. 561. International-Lawyers.org welcomed the acceptance by New Zealand of 160 recommendations out of the 194 recommendations received. It encouraged New Zealand to continue its efforts regarding the rights of minorities, including by ensuring that hate speech and hate crimes were dully investigated. It commended the Prime Minister’s action after the attacks on the two mosques at Christchurch, in particular, by bringing communities together and called on all States to follow this positive example. It commended the ratification of core human rights conventions and called for the ratification of additional instruments as recommended during the universal periodic review. 562. International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination welcomed action taken to ensure gender equality and increase the participation of women in leadership positions and the improvement of the social-economic situation of indigenous peoples. However, despite efforts to implement recommendations received during the previous cycle, the high incarceration rate and the overrepresentation of the Māori at every stage of the criminal justice system still needed to be addressed. Additionally, New Zealand should take concrete steps to address sexual and domestic violence. It strongly recommended that the country eradicate discrimination against Māori by tackling the social inequalities they experienced. 563. International Humanist and Ethical Union was pleased that the abortion law was under review and that New Zealand had accepted the recommendation to remove abortion from the Crimes Act 1961 and to review the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977. However, like Canada, Iceland and Uruguay, it urged the Government to adopt recommendation “Model A” from the Law Commission’s report on “alternative approaches to abortion law”. It congratulated New Zealand for repealing its blasphemy law since the last review. It was disappointed that the National Statement of Religious Diversity excluded persons of various ethical beliefs and noted that there were persecuted atheists who have sought refuge in New Zealand. 5. Concluding remarks of the State under review 564. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 194 recommendations received, 160 enjoyed the support of New Zealand, and 34 were noted. 565. The delegation thanked Member States, the Human Rights Commission, and members of civil society who had been present. As a part of its commitment to ongoing action, New Zealand intended to publish a mid-term report on the universal periodic 92