A/HRC/36/16 34. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the commitment of South Africa to protecting human rights and the adoption of legislation on torture and trafficking in persons. 35. Cuba highlighted the programme to transform the economy, increase employment and reduce inequality and the commitment of South Africa to public health. 36. Czechia welcomed the enactment of the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act, which criminalized torture. 37. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended South Africa for the progress made in education, health care and child protection. 38. Denmark commended South Africa for the development of a national youth policy and the establishment of the South African Youth Council and the National Youth Development Agency. 39. Djibouti congratulated South Africa for making progress in the reduction of poverty and showing leadership in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 40. Ecuador acknowledged the efforts to ensure the rights of communities affected by mining activities and the leadership shown on business and human rights. 41. Estonia encouraged South Africa to continue supporting the fight against impunity, as a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 42. Ethiopia commended South Africa for its active participation at the subregional, regional and international levels, including in the Human Rights Council. 43. Finland commended South Africa for inviting the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, to visit the country in 2015 and encouraged it to make amendments to the Protection of State Information Bill with a view to guaranteeing the right to access to information and freedom of expression. 44. France encouraged South Africa to implement the recommendations accepted during previous cycles of the universal periodic review. 45. Georgia welcomed efforts to eliminate poverty and encouraged South Africa to continue its efforts to build an inclusive society. 46. Germany commended South Africa for its progress in reducing child and maternal mortality. 47. Ghana encouraged South Africa to implement the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act and urged it to take steps to ratify and implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and to carry out open and transparent consultations, including with civil society, aimed at establishing an independent national preventive mechanism to monitor all places of detention in accordance with the country’s obligations under the Convention against Torture. 48. Greece noted the adoption of the Labour Relations Amendment Act and the enactment of the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act. 49. Guatemala was concerned at reports of acts of discrimination, xenophobia and racism against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. 50. Haiti made recommendations. 51. The Holy See noted the adoption of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and progress achieved regarding health care. 52. Honduras welcomed efforts to ratify human rights instruments and invited South Africa to continue to combat discrimination. 53. Hungary welcomed the ratification of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and hoped that South Africa would remain a State party to the Rome Statute. 5