A/HRC/33/17 48. The Republic of Korea commended the enhancement of women’s political participation through establishing quotas for the general election, and the establishment of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. 49. The Republic of Moldova encouraged Ireland to expedite ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and to establish a national preventive mechanism. It inquired about the anti-trafficking plan. 50. Romania noted the steps taken by Ireland to ensure respect for the human rights of persons affected by the economic and financial crisis. 51. The Russian Federation made recommendations. 52. Saudi Arabia regretted the absence of legislation to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was concerned at racist manifestations, the lack of a strong monitoring mechanism, the gender wage gap and religious discrimination policies in schools. 53. Senegal noted the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and welcomed the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. 54. Sierra Leone commended Ireland for highlighting the importance of civil society, and for the strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the domestic violence bill and the national action plan to prevent and combat human trafficking. 55. Singapore welcomed initiatives to meet housing needs such as the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the integrated housing package. Singapore commended Ireland for its Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities and looked forward to the early ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 56. Slovakia welcomed the establishment of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Child and Family Agency, and the adoption of the Children First Act. Slovakia encouraged Ireland to ensure effective access to abortion. 57. The United States of America commended Ireland for co-facilitating the United Nations high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants and for its work on the Sustainable Development Goals. It was concerned at discrimination against Traveller and Roma communities and at religious preference in admissions to publicly funded schools under religious patronage. It noted negative developments in women’s reproductive health. 58. South Africa commended Ireland for submitting a voluntary interim report and enacting legislation ensuring that same-sex couples could marry. It urged Ireland to reinstate the age of 14 years as the age of criminal responsibility, as was established in the 2001 Children Act. 59. Spain congratulated Ireland for its national and international commitment to human rights and for the recent adoption of the law on same-sex marriage. 60. Sri Lanka welcomed the establishment of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the constitutional recognition of children as rights holders and efforts to reduce unemployment and poverty. 61. The State of Palestine welcomed progress in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, towards ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and regarding business and human rights, including publication of the working outline of the national action plan thereon. 62. GE.16-12337 The Sudan welcomed the comprehensive presentation of the national report. 7