A/HRC/43/2 establishment and strengthening of the national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. The Philippines noted the adoption by Madagascar of legislative frameworks, in particular, on combatting gender-based violence. The Philippines supported the adoption by the Human Rights Council of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review report on Madagascar, and wished Madagascar every success in the implementation of all the accepted recommendations. 726. Senegal welcomed the concrete initiatives undertaken by Madagascar to improve the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These had resulted in the signing of international commitments, in particular the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, as well as measures taken at the institutional and normative levels. Senegal stated that the efforts made by the Malagasy authorities in the area of human rights were visible in several areas, and had been illustrated by social and economic progress, and actions taken in favour of health, the elimination of poverty and access to education. Senegal reiterated its wish for Madagascar's success in implementing the accepted recommendations and invited the Human Rights Council to adopt its report. 727. UNICEF, on behalf of the Gender and Human Rights Thematic Group of the United Nations System in Madagascar, congratulated the Government for its commitment to the universal periodic review process, including its support for the majority of the recommendations received. It welcomed the significant progress made by the country in the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular: the repatriation of victims of trafficking; the improvement of the rights of detainees; the establishment of institutions such as the National Independent Human Rights Commission the adoption of the national anticorruption strategy; the decriminalization of press crimes; the abolition of the death penalty; and the adoption of the law against gender-based violence. However, it called on Madagascar to build on these achievements by reconsidering as quickly as possible in a positive manner the recommendations which the State had not accepted, and in particular those relating to: ratification of international treaties; national reconciliation; the protection of human rights defenders; access to sexual and reproductive health information, services and products; and the fight against early marriage. It stated that the United Nations System in Madagascar reiterated its determination to support Madagascar in the follow-up and implementation of all the recommendations stemming from international mechanisms for the protection of human rights. 728. UNFPA congratulated Madagascar on its universal periodic review and its acceptance of recommendations in a number of fields, in particular strengthening the legislation against gender-based violence, measures to prevent and combat early marriage, protecting the rights to sexual and reproductive health, and reducing maternal mortality. It stated that Madagascar was among those countries with a high prevalence rate of child marriage, which undermined the empowerment and autonomy of the girls. It therefore sought to draw the attention of the Government to the particular relevance of recommendations on this topic, the effective implementation of which will enable women and girls to fully enjoy their rights to health and to a better life. It encouraged national and international partners, in particular civil society, the private sector, the media and technical and financial partners, to support the Government in its actions in favour of education and the empowerment of young girls, and sensitization of traditional and religious communities on the consequences of child marriage. It reiterated its availability to support the government of Madagascar in the follow-up and implementation of the recommendations resulting from the universal periodic review. 114