A/HRC/39/8 Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, caused further apprehension regarding the safety of marginalized groups. 53. Ghana commended the endorsement by the Government of Tuvalu of several measures to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens and to ensure that the provisions of international human rights instruments were reflected in domestic legislation and policies. It welcomed, in particular, the national action plan on human rights for 2016 to 2020 and the report of the Scoping Study Team on the feasibility and options for the establishment of a national human rights institution. Ghana congratulated Tuvalu for participating in the Convention against Torture Initiative regional seminar held in Fiji in 2016, and commended the Government’s commitment to acceding to the Convention against Torture. 54. Guyana congratulated the Government of Tuvalu on the presentation of its comprehensive report for the third cycle of the universal periodic review. It called for the Government to be commended for its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights among its people, as evidenced in the human rights national action plan for 2016 to 2020, which served as a concrete step towards fulfilling the country’s international obligations and strengthening national efforts in realizing human rights in Tuvalu. It also commended Tuvalu for the adoption of amendments and legislation to harmonize its domestic laws with its international obligations. 55. Haiti commended the efforts and progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights in Tuvalu, in particular the adoption, in 2016, of the national action plan on human rights for 2016 to 2020, the first plan of its kind in the Pacific; the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development; the improvement in access to health care for the inhabitants of the peripheral islands; the considerable reduction in the maternal mortality rate; and the fight for climate justice on the world stage. 56. Honduras welcomed the important achievements in the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Tuvalu during the previous cycle. It welcomed the process of constitutional review initiated by Tuvalu with the technical support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the willingness to address human rights issues relating to freedom of religion, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized groups and protection of the environment. It commended the commitment and cooperation of Tuvalu with the Human Rights Council in extending an open invitation to the special procedure mandate holders, as well as with the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 57. Iceland welcomed the adoption of the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Act of 2014. It regretted, however, that despite having accepted, during the second review cycle, to increase efforts to swiftly ratify fundamental human rights treaties, that action had yet to be taken. 58. Indonesia noted with appreciation the decision to accept two recommendations made by Indonesia during the second review cycle, regarding the implementation of the Police Powers and Duties Act and efforts to strengthen measures to ensure respect and protection for vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities. Indonesia commended the positive developments in Tuvalu, in particular the adoption of the human rights national action plan for 2016 to 2020 and the Act of 2017 on the national human rights institution. Indonesia also welcomed the initiative to conduct a constitutional review, with UNDP-led technical support, in order to address a number of issues pertaining to freedom of religion, gender equality, the inclusion of marginalized populations and protection of the environment. 59. Iraq commended the amendments and legislation adopted by Tuvalu as a step towards harmonizing its legislation with its international obligations, as well as the human rights national action plan for 2016 to 2020. Iraq encouraged Tuvalu to complete the steps to ratify the Convention against Torture and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 7