A/HRC/38/13 32. The Republic of Moldova welcomed the improvements made by Montenegro to its legislative framework to address discrimination, including discrimination against women, the decriminalization of defamation and the strengthening of the legislative framework governing the media. It also welcomed the reinforcement of the mandate of the national human rights institution as the national mechanism for the prevention of torture, and of the institutional mechanisms against discrimination. 33. Romania congratulated Montenegro for its commitment to implementing a number of strategies and action plans aimed at advancing human rights in the country. 34. The Russian Federation expressed concern about cases of torture and other cruel treatment of detainees, and about the increase in crimes of human trafficking. It noted the continuing discrimination against national minority groups, including the Roma population. 35. Senegal commended Montenegro for improving its human rights legislative and institutional framework, and noted with satisfaction the establishment of institutions for monitoring the implementation of the human rights protection policies developed by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights. 36. Serbia welcomed the measures taken to strengthen the role of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, and the adoption of the new Strategy for Domestic Violence Protection 2016–2020. It commended Montenegro on the improvement of its antidiscrimination framework through the amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Law. 37. Sierra Leone congratulated Montenegro for its implementation of a number of policies, such as the Inclusive Education Strategy, the Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities and the Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children against Violence. It welcomed the ratification of several international human rights instruments and encouraged Montenegro to raise awareness and adopt stringent measures to combat the practices of child, early and forced marriage among the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. 38. Slovakia welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. It recognized legal reforms relating to the establishment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework and valued the progress made in strengthening the independence of the judiciary. 39. Slovenia welcomed the positive legislative developments regarding nondiscrimination and the measures taken to counter sexist stereotypes. It encouraged Montenegro to combat prejudice against members of ethnic minorities and provide public servants with human rights education. It also encouraged Montenegro to pay special attention to the need to improve birth registration, particularly for children belonging to ethnic minorities and for abandoned children. 40. The State of Palestine welcomed the Strategy for Roma and Egyptian Social Inclusion 2016–2020 and the steps taken regarding business and human rights. 41. Sweden commended Montenegro for its continuing work to fulfil its human rights obligations and encouraged it to make further efforts in that regard. 42. Switzerland welcomed the inclusion of civil society representatives and journalists in the commission that had been established to investigate cases of violence and attacks against journalists, and expressed concern about the extremely polarized environment for the work of civil society representatives and journalists. 43. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia commended Montenegro for its commitment to the universal periodic review process and the numerous measures it had taken to implement recommendations from the second cycle. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia noted with appreciation the development of a national mechanism for follow-up to and coordination of the implementation of international obligations. 44. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation the adoption of the Law on the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Anti-Discrimination Law and the Law on Gender Equality. It commended Montenegro for the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency. 5