A/HRC/31/8 53. The Philippines appreciated the reaffirmation of the independence of the national human rights institution and lauded the establishment of the Gender Monitoring Office. 54. Portugal acknowledged the standing invitation to the Council’s special procedure mandate holders and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 55. The Republic of Korea appreciated the issuance of a standing invitation to the special procedure mandate holders and the success with regard to the Millennium Development Goals, such as in the area of gender equality. 56. Senegal noted the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the standing invitation to the special procedure mandate holders, as recommended in the 2011 review. 57. Sierra Leone noted the high percentage of women in decision-making positions and stated that it was a good example of post-conflict recovery and development. 58. Singapore noted the decentralized nature of access to justice for all Rwandans and the zero-tolerance policy towards domestic and other types of gender-based violence. 59. Slovakia acknowledged the improvements relating to human rights, such as the revision of the genocide law, the adoption of media laws and efforts to further enhance access to justice. 60. Slovenia welcomed the enactment of several new laws aimed at implementing some of the previous recommendations, while noting challenges to freedom of expression and access to safe abortion. 61. South Africa noted efforts with regard to the implementation of previous recommendations, such as the adoption of law No. 54/2011 relating to the rights and protection of the child. 62. South Sudan recognized the achievements related to the empowerment of women by increasing their representation at various levels of government and including women in the development process. 63. Spain recognized improvements stemming from the acceptance of previous recommendations, such as reformation of the justice system, which still faced many challenges. 64. Sri Lanka took positive note of the cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms, and of progress with regard to children’s rights and education, as well as in the health sector. 65. The Sudan appreciated the steps taken by Rwanda to promote and protect the rights of its citizens, particularly in relation to the laws on access to information, children, persons with disabilities and labour. 66. Sweden expressed concern about freedom of opinion and expression and women’s rights, particularly violence against women. 67. Switzerland welcomed the adoption of the media law, but remained worried about the persistent restrictions on freedom of expression and the challenging registration procedures for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 68. Togo noted that Rwanda had accorded special status to human rights through the creation or revision of a number of laws, including the Penal Code, civil society laws and the law on the rights of children. 8