A/HRC/42/2 that the major challenge remains the optimal implementation of the accepted recommendations. 464. China commended the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its constructive participation in the universal periodic review process. It expressed hope that the Government will continue its efforts to promote a socio-economic development and further improve its people’s living standard to lay a solid foundation for its people’s enjoyment of all human rights. China stated that positive measures should be continued to further protect the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. 465. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea welcomed the constructive participation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the third cycle of the universal periodic review process. While taking note of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review as well as the additional information provided by the delegation, it welcomed the acceptance by the Democratic Republic of the Congo of many of the recommendations as a full demonstration of its will to make further efforts in the field of human rights. 466. Djibouti thanked the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the additional presentation, which places an emphasis on its commitments as well as progress in protection and promotion of human rights. It congratulated the Democratic Republic of the Congo for accepting most of the recommendations received under the third cycle of the universal periodic review, including two recommendations made by Djibouti. 467. Egypt thanked the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for accepting most of the recommendations submitted during the universal periodic review. It also commended the efforts made in a number of fields, in particular at the level of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It noted that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has accepted most of the recommendations, including two submitted by Egypt on the rights of women and children in particular. 468. Gabon commended the cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the mechanism of the Human Rights Council illustrated by its passage through the universal periodic review. It was particularly grateful that the Democratic Republic of the Congo accepted recommendations made by Gabon. Gabon encouraged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue its efforts in the implementation of the recommendations. 469. Germany encouraged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to implement the accepted recommendations of the universal periodic review in a timely manner and to share information on the implementation. It was worried about the general human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and expressed deep concern for the continued violence in parts of the country. It was concerned by the restrictions on political participation carried out by the Congolese authorities and the situation of children and adolescents. It reiterated its recommendation to forego the application of the death penalty and to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 470. Haiti thanked the Democratic Republic of the Congo for accepting two of its recommendations on guaranteeing the full payment of taxes by all mining companies and removing barriers preventing women candidates from accessing political positions. However, it regretted that recommendation 119.45, on sufficient annual financial support for the "Baba Bora" fatherhood programme to change attitudes about masculinity and promote gender equality has been simply noted. 471. India noted that as many as 239 recommendations have been accepted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including recommendations made by India. It took note of the difficulties and obstacles encountered in the implementation of the recommendations adopted during the second cycle of the universal periodic review as recollected by the 76