A/HRC/31/8 69. Morocco welcomed the adoption of the law on the National Commission for Human Rights, the reforms relating to the decentralization of justice and to the educational system, and programmes to combat corruption. 70. Turkey welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and urged Rwanda to continue to adapt national legislation to international human rights instruments. 71. Uganda commended Rwanda for the efforts to increase access to justice for all Rwandans, including minority groups. 72. Ukraine acknowledged positive achievements in promoting affordable education and protecting the right to education for all, eradicating gender-based violence and fostering gender equality, and strengthening civil society. 73. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recognized the contribution of Rwanda to regional peace and security. It expressed concern over allegations of Government interference and other constraints encountered by NGOs, as well as reports of recruitment of refugees into armed groups, enforced disappearance, irregular detention and mistreatment of individuals in custody. 74. The United States of America commended Rwanda for progress in combating human trafficking and preventing violence against women. It expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, those reported missing during a 2014 operation by Rwandan security forces, and the recruitment of Burundian refugees into armed groups. 75. The delegation of Rwanda reiterated the reforms in the media sector that had brought about tangible results. The establishment of a self-regulatory body had improved quality, ethics and professionalism in the media sector, and had brought about an increase in journalistic freedom and a reduction in the prosecution of journalists. 76. Prior to the 1994 genocide, political parties had been formed on basis of ethnicity, race and religion. Against that background, a legal framework had been introduced to promote nationally based political parties, rather than political parties based on an ethnic, racial or religious identity. 77. The delegation reiterated the significant increase in the number of civil society organizations, which served as an indication that the legal framework and policy practice introduced by the Government was conducive to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of civil society organizations. 78. The Gender Development Forum, a mechanism to facilitate the participation of civil society organizations in debates on and the formulation of policy at the local level, was in line with the Government’s decentralization policy to ensure active participation at the district level in national development. 79. Through the economic development strategy, remote areas also had access to economic and development opportunities. There was a focus on gender equality. The Government had ensured that gender equality was not just rhetoric and that all institutions adhered to the principle of gender equality. 80. A few years ago, Rwanda had put in place free basic education for 9 years, which had since been scaled up to 12 years. 81. On the issue of the International Criminal Court, the delegation stated that Rwanda supported international justice. However, concerns existed about the independence and impartiality of Court. 9