A/HRC/37/14 Hichilema. It encouraged all parties to work together to entrench respect for democracy and human rights. 50. Azerbaijan recognized the strong commitment of Zambia to the universal periodic review and to the protection and promotion of human rights. It noted that the National Development Plan 2017–2021 contained ambitious goals relating to economic development and human rights. 51. Benin congratulated Zambia on its efforts to implement the recommendations made during its previous universal periodic review. It praised the initiatives taken in relation to development and education for young children. 52. Botswana welcomed the enactment of the Gender Equity and Equality Act and the ratification of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development. It recognized the persistent challenges, particularly in relation to child marriage, child labour, protracted pretrial detention, the high infant mortality rate and high levels of poverty. 53. Brazil commended Zambia for the revised National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework, the national campaign for routine HIV testing, counselling and treatment, the Gender Equity and Equality Act and the Persons with Disabilities Act. 54. Burkina Faso praised Zambia for its national report, which provided detailed information about the progress made on human rights over the past five years. It noted, however, that there were shortcomings in a number of areas. 55. Burundi highlighted the creation of human rights educational programmes for primary and secondary schools and training programmes on human rights for defence and security personnel. It praised the positive measures that were being taken to combat genderbased violence. 56. Canada commended Zambia for its national and international commitment to ending child, early and forced marriage. 57. Chad noted with appreciation the progress made by Zambia to respond to the recommendations from the second review cycle. It praised the inclusion of civil society and independent organizations in the consultative process to prepare the national report. Chad welcomed the various steps taken to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights. 58. Chile congratulated Zambia for the adoption of Act No. 22 of 2015, establishing the Commission on Gender Equality and Equity and incorporating the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It also praised the progress made in the area of public health, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 59. China noted the laws and national plans adopted by Zambia to promote and protect human rights. It referred to the progress made in the areas of gender equality, education, health care, the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, and combating sexual violence and human trafficking. 60. The Congo encouraged Zambia to implement its legislative reforms to effectively combat trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children, improve protection of persons with albinism, and prevent and punish all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities. 61. Côte d’Ivoire commended Zambia for the reform of its legal and institutional framework with the aim of aligning it with its international obligations and welcomed the steps it had taken to become a party to a number of international human rights instruments. 62. Cuba commended Zambia for its progress in the promotion and protection of human rights, including the establishment of the National Gender Policy. It also acknowledged the efforts of Zambia to improve the level of education in urban and rural areas. 6

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents