A/HRC/42/2 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the outcome of the review 776. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Equatorial Guinea, 13 delegations made statements.** 777. South Africa congratulated Equatorial Guinea on the process adopted for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It welcomed action taken on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and urged Equatorial Guinea to ratify that instrument. It requested that the Human Rights Council adopt the outcome of Equatorial Guinea by consensus. 778. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stated that Equatorial Guinea had made significant strides towards the implementation of recommendations accepted during the universal periodic review, and noted progress in combating poverty and the increase in the number of persons who had access to basic services. It also noted that Equatorial Guinea granted economic support to families with low incomes of persons with disabilities or of persons affected by serious illnesses. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to continue making progress towards the eradication of poverty through its successful social policies that improve the living standards of its people, in particular those most in need. 779. Algeria expressed satisfaction that Equatorial Guinea had acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and that it was prepared to promote economic, social and cultural rights as part of its National Economic and Social Development Plan for Horizon 2020. It noted that Equatorial Guinea had accepted a large number of the recommendations received, including the two it had proposed to strengthen legislation on the right to free and compulsory education and to prioritize the protection of children’s rights and eradicate corporal punishment in all settings, including at home, and repeal arguments to justify it. 780. Botswana expressed appreciation to Equatorial Guinea for the incorporation of persons with disabilities into social security mechanisms and welcomed strategies aimed at eradicating gender-based disparities. It recalled that it had recommended to Equatorial Guinea to ensure the implementation of strategies to fight and prevent violence against women and that equal opportunities be given to women and girls to address gender disparities. It noted that its recommendations were among the many that had enjoyed the support of Equatorial Guinea. 781. Brazil commended Equatorial Guinea for the progress made on the economic, social and cultural rights of its people, especially regarding to the rights to adequate housing, health and education. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to guarantee the independence of the judiciary through the measures deemed the most appropriate. It reiterated its interest in dialogue and cooperation with Equatorial Guinea in the area of human rights, be it in the multilateral forums or bilaterally. 782. Burkina Faso noted that Equatorial Guinea had adopted numerous measures on human rights. It commended Equatorial Guinea for its commitment to cooperating with the universal periodic review mechanism, as well as with treaty bodies and mandate holders. It expressed the belief that Equatorial Guinea would pursue its efforts to tackle the challenges faced in the promotion, protection and realization of human rights. ** The statements of the delegations that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/42Session/Pages/default.aspx 116