A/HRC/41/2 (c) The summary prepared by OHCHR 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/AFG/3). 434. At its 24th meeting, on 4 July 2019, the Human Rights Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review of Afghanistan (see section C below). 435. The outcome of the review of Afghanistan comprises the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/41/5) and the views of Afghanistan concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, as well as its voluntary commitments and its replies to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group, and which were presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary (see also A/HRC/41/5/Add.1). 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome 436. The head of delegation was honored to present the responses and updates to the recommendations received as part of the third universal periodic review of Afghanistan. He appreciated the support of Member States, the Troika and the Secretariat for their constructive engagement and cooperation throughout the entire process and appreciated his colleagues’ comprehensive consultations to review the recommendations and prepare a positive response. 437. Afghanistan attached great importance to the universal periodic review mechanism and believed that the review provided an opportunity for a constructive engagement among Member States, aiming at strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights values worldwide. 438. He reiterated the commitment of Afghanistan, as a member of the Human Rights Council, to the universal periodic review mechanism, as Afghanistan believed that social harmony and sustainable peace was intrinsically tied to internalization of human rights values in its governance structure and operations. While Afghanistan and its international partners were entering into peace talks with the Taliban group, protecting human rights and women’s rights, more than any other time, should be at the forefront of their collective efforts. 439. He informed that Afghanistan received 258 recommendations in the third cycle review in January 2019. Those recommendations were translated into the national language and were examined carefully by a specially established inter-agency mechanism that comprised representatives from 26 entities from the executive, legislative and judicial authorities, Afghanistan Independent National Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations. Afghanistan accepted 235 (91 per cent) recommendations, while 22 recommendations were noted, and one recommendation was partially accepted, demonstrating Afghanistan’s solid commitment to promotion and protection of human rights and high regard to the universal periodic review mechanism. 440. Afghanistan acknowledged the need to strengthen the institutional and legal framework for the protection of human rights and considered the advancement of human rights as a priority. Human rights were also considered a red line by the Government during any potential peace negotiation. 441. On women’s rights, particularly violence against women, Afghanistan made amendments to laws and undertook a variety of initiatives, which resulted in enhancing women’s rights and ensuring women’s empowerment and participation in all walks of life. Afghanistan placed a great importance on gender equality and women’s empowerment, so it will continue to take effective measures to combat violence against women, not only by 75