A/HRC/38/7 106. Luxembourg hailed the efforts made by Mali to promote respect for human rights, as reflected by the adoption of the national policies on human rights and on national justice. However, a number of challenges remained, especially in connection with protecting children’s rights. 107. Madagascar welcomed the alignment of national legislation with international law. It hailed the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights and State Reform, and expressed hope that similar efforts would continue. Madagascar called on the international community to support Mali in the implementation of recommendations emanating from the universal periodic review. 108. Maldives welcomed steps taken by Mali to promote and protect human rights, the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and the commitment to end the practice of female genital mutilation. It hailed the adoption of legislation aimed at promoting gender equality and introducing measures for women to gain access to elected and appointed offices. 109. With regard to allegations of human rights violations committed by the security forces, the delegation stated that Mali had established a military court that had jurisdiction over all crimes of a military nature. In addition, special police units were deployed with units stationed in the field. With partners such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mali had also produced handbooks for military and security forces personnel on the law of armed conflict. 110. With regard to the protection of human rights defenders, the delegation pointed out that Mali had recently adopted Act No. 2018-003 of 12 January 2018, the Human Rights Defenders Act, which established specific protections for women human rights defenders and women human rights defenders with disabilities. 111. Mali had endorsed Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security and had developed a second action plan (for the period 2015–2017) relating to the participation of women in conflict management. That instrument had emphasized the importance of the full participation of women, on an equal footing with others, in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. A unit for the implementation of the plan and a monitoring committee had been set up. 112. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission had been established to help victims gain access to justice and means of redress. It had identified more than 7,000 victims since 2014. The Commission had branches in all the country’s regions but Kidal (as a result of the insecurity there), and there were plans for the implementation of a programme to provide reparations for the harm that victims had suffered. 113. An independent high communications authority had been established to ensure respect for freedom of the press, and investigations into the murders and disappearances of journalists had been launched. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 114. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Mali and enjoy the support of Mali: 114.1 Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for United Nations treaty body elections (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); 114.2 Step up its cooperation with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council by responding positively to the pending visit requests and to consider extending a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders (Latvia); 114.3 Extend cooperation to all special procedure mandate holders (Paraguay); GE.18-06102 11