A/HRC/18/2 the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on Torture enjoyed Greece’s support. Noting Greece’s acceptance of recommendations on trafficking in persons, Armenia was confident that Greece would continue its efforts to prevent human trafficking. 521. The Republic of Moldova commended Greece’s cooperation with civil society, the private sector and United Nations human rights mechanisms. It applauded Greece for continuing its fruitful dialogue with civil society and the national human rights institution in the follow-up to the universal periodic review. It welcomed Greece’s commitment to gender equality and acknowledged the progress in combating human trafficking. It also acknowledged Greece’s acceptance of a number of recommendations, including the four recommendations made by the Republic of Moldova. It noted with satisfaction Greece’s efforts to eliminate patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes regarding the roles of women and men. It was pleased that Greece had increased efforts to combat trafficking in women and girls, and transnational child trafficking and exploitation. It welcomed the efforts to increase women’s participation in public life, particularly in Parliament. 522. Iraq commended Greece’s efforts to prepare its national report. It appreciated the efforts being made to protect and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and wished Greece success in its efforts to raise the living standards of all categories of inhabitants, its citizens and their general prosperity. It noted that more than 120 recommendations had been made within the framework of the universal periodic review and noted that Greece had accepted 97 of them, deferred 18 and refused the others. It highlighted Greece’s efforts, despite the difficult economic situation it was enduring. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 523. The national human rights institution of Greece, accredited with “A” status, appreciated the Government’s engagement with the universal periodic review. It recalled the context that determined the enjoyment of human rights in Greece, noting that segments of the population were affected by the consequences of the financial crisis and the Government’s extremely harsh measures. It noted that Greece had responded positively to many recommendations, and highlighted the acceptance of recommendations on the national plan of action for the reform of the asylum system and migration management, and the pledge to progress on ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and ensure appropriate conditions of detention. It approved Greece’s support for the recommendations regarding the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its pledge to strengthen the prevention of discrimination and incitement to hatred, and to improve police accountability. 524. The European Region for the International Lesbian and Gay Federation was pleased that Greece had accepted a recommendation to include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for protection in anti-discrimination measures. It encouraged Greece to extend this protection to the fields of education, health care and access to goods and services. It underlined the fact that sexual orientation and gender identity were separate concepts, and recommended that Greece should include gender identity and expression explicitly in its legislation. It urged Greece to consider using the Yogyakarta Principles. It commended Greece for considering the recognition of same-sex couples and asked about the time frame to implementing this recommendation. 525. The International Commission of Jurists highlighted the crisis faced by the Greek asylum system, though this could not justify delays, and noted Greece’s pledge to address these violations, including through its national plan of action for asylum reform and migration management, and notably with the asylum procedure legislation adopted in 2011. It urged Greece to take prompt action to: review detention conditions for asylum seekers, to 156 GE.12-17756