A/HRC/40/15 46. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the new Criminal Code, the law prohibiting child marriage, and the law prohibiting and prosecuting the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. It was concerned about reports on discrimination and violence against women and about the low ratio of birth registration. 47. South Africa welcomed continued efforts to promote and protect human rights since the previous review, including the reform of the National Human Rights Commission and the implementation of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. 48. Spain hailed legislative progress in terms of equality and prohibiting child marriage, but noted that female genital mutilation and domestic violence persisted in the country. 49. The State of Palestine recognized the efforts by Chad to protect fundamental freedoms and human rights, including the adoption of legislative and regulatory texts since the last cycle. It commended the efforts of Chad to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 50. The Sudan welcomed the cooperation by Chad with Human Rights Council mechanisms, especially the country’s efforts to promote and protect human rights and implement most recommendations from the previous cycle. It welcomed the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 51. Sweden welcomed positive developments, including the promotion of gender parity in elections and appointments to office, and government support for abolition of the death penalty. It encouraged further efforts to stop gender-based violence and guarantee freedom of expression. 52. Switzerland thanked the delegation of Chad for its presentation. It expressed concerns about reports citing frequent threats, harassment and intimidation against both human rights defenders and journalists. 53. Togo welcomed the particular attention given by the Government to the promotion and empowerment of women as well as to the situation of children and to efforts to combat violence and discrimination in all of its forms. 54. Tunisia welcomed the efforts by Chad to improve the institutional and legislative human rights framework, hailing the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. 55. Turkey noted the efforts of Chad to end and to prevent the recruitment of children into armed forces, welcoming the fact that it was no longer listed with the “Children, Not Soldiers” campaign. It hailed efforts to include women and socially vulnerable groups in national development. 56. Ukraine strongly condemned human rights abuses and legal violations committed by Chadian militias and security forces during anti-austerity protests in 2018, urging the authorities to ensure the people’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. 57. The United Arab Emirates appreciated the efforts that Chad had made in several areas of human rights, in particular socioeconomic and cultural rights. It expressed particular appreciation for the 2017–2021 National Development Plan. 58. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stressed the need for independent and impartial investigations of human rights violations allegedly committed by the armed forces. It noted that reporters continued to face harassment and arrest by the authorities for articles critical of the Government. 59. The United States of America remained concerned by reports of human rights violations and abuses by government agents, including those involved in the use of torture, arbitrary arrests, and incommunicado detentions, and restrictions on the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. 60. Uruguay welcomed the legislative progress made, such as the enactment of the new Criminal Code in 2017 and the Act Prohibiting Child Marriage in 2015. It also welcomed the efforts of Chad regarding ratification of signed international treaties. GE.18-22801 7