A/HRC/39/5 Elaboration of National Reports and build a more inclusive society, particularly through free school enrolment and by promoting the attendance of persons with disabilities at public educational establishments. 87. Slovenia commended Cabo Verde for having ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, its extension of an open invitation to special procedure mandate holders and the revision of the Penal Code. It was concerned by reports of discrimination and violence against women, violence and exploitation of children and human trafficking. 88. South Africa congratulated Cabo Verde for having ratified the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and noted with appreciation the reduction of the gender gap in literacy rates. 89. Spain welcomed the achievements of Cabo Verde and the measures it had taken since the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 90. Timor-Leste noted that it shared cultural and historic ties and enjoyed bilateral cooperation in the area of education with Cabo Verde. It applauded the ongoing efforts of Cabo Verde to reduce poverty in the country. 91. Togo praised the efforts Cabo Verde had made to revise the Penal Code in order to combat human trafficking, establish the Office of the Ombudsman, adopt the National Human Rights and Citizenship Plan and ratify a number of international instruments, particularly the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 92. Tunisia acknowledged the steps Cabo Verde had taken to improve the legislative and institutional framework in line with its international commitments, including increasing resources for the National Commission for Human Rights, harmonizing national legislation with the provisions of international conventions and adopting a national plan to combat violence against women, children and adolescents. 93. Ukraine commended Cabo Verde for the efforts it had made to revise the Penal Code, establish the Ministry of Family and Social Inclusion, develop the Strategic Plan for the Justice Sector and approve the National Human Rights and Citizenship Plan. It encouraged Cabo Verde to take further steps to improve the human rights situation. 94. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acknowledged the measures Cabo Verde had taken to prosecute public officials and police officers who had committed human rights abuses and to create an interministerial commission. Nevertheless, it urged Cabo Verde to implement as soon as possible the recommendations that had been made during the universal periodic review. 95. The United States of America expressed appreciation for the decision Cabo Verde had made to join the Equal Rights Coalition and create its first anti-trafficking national action plan, for which it recommended that additional funds be allocated. Nevertheless, it expressed concern that prison conditions continued to remain harsh, and that sexual and gender-based violence still persisted. 96. Uruguay congratulated Cabo Verde for its wide ratification of international instruments pertaining to human rights and welcomed the initiatives taken in favour of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It highlighted, above all, the recent adoption of the Child and Adolescent Statute, aimed at updating and unifying substantive laws and procedural rules. 97. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela complimented Cabo Verde for the legal and institutional reforms it had undertaken, such as the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the endorsement of the National Human Rights and Citizenship Plan (2017–2022) and the launch in 2015 of the National Gender Equality Plan. 98. Zambia expressed appreciation for the positive efforts Cabo Verde had made in ensuring human rights and praised the Government for having ratified the Optional 10