A/HRC/41/2 762. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed concerns about the continued practice of xenophobia, racial and religious discrimination against the country’s minorities including Muslims and Roma. It urged the Government to modify its policy of forced deportation of migrants and refugees. 763. Iraq appreciated the acceptance by North Macedonia of its recommendations on gender equality law, ensuring the rights of immigrants, combating trafficking, and promoting women’s participation in political life and decision-making. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 764. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of North Macedonia, two other stakeholders made statements. 765. Action Canada for Population and Development welcomed the acceptance of recommendations addressing the promotion and protection of sexual reproductive health and rights, especially, those relating to availability and accessibility of medical abortion throughout the country in line with the WHO safe abortion guidelines and ensuring a universal coverage of all costs related to sexual reproductive health and rights and modern contraceptive methods. However, the drugs required for medical abortion are still not registered and not available on the market. It called on the Government to make modern contraception accessible to all the women in the country and put it under the coverage of the national health insurance fund. 766. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation welcomed the improvement in legislation and practice to promote civic space. North Macedonia revised the legal framework to safeguard freedom of expression and opinion and improve the general climate, particularly for independent journalists, broadcasting and regulatory body. However, threats continue to be frequent against independent journalists. Since its last universal periodic review, the Government has only partially implemented the eight recommendations relating to freedom of expression and opinion. It encouraged the Government to amend existing legislation that undermined freedom of association like the Penal Code and the recently proposed Law on Lobbying. While the Law on Police was improved, the Law on Public Assemblies still needed improvements. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 767. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 169 recommendations received,167 enjoyed the support of North Macedonia, and two were noted. 768. The representative of North Macedonia thanked all the intervening States, the participating stakeholders, including the civil society and other international organisations, and the Troika. She reiterated the importance of the media and the judiciary reform for the Government of North Macedonia and its strong commitment to respect the recommendations received under the universal periodic review. Cyprus 769. The review of Cyprus was held on 29 January 2019 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions and decisions, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by Cyprus in accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21 (A/HRC/WG.6/32/CYP/1); 121