A/HRC/30/8 104. China welcomed measures on free education, housing and universal health coverage and for combating violence sexual exploitation and trafficking, and Maldives’ willingness to strengthen the criminal justice system. 105. Costa Rica recognized progress in the implementation of recommendations and the midterm report submitted in 2013. 106. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed cooperation with international mechanisms and encouraged strengthened measures to combat religious discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups and to promote gender equality. 107. Croatia welcomed the emphasis on mainstreaming human rights values and encouraged continued work to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights for all without distinction. 108. Cuba recognized the progress made, including through the Anti-Torture Act, free education and universal health care, and challenges in consolidating the democratic process. It agreed on the need for the international community to cooperate with the Government to achieve the objectives it had set. 109. The Democratic Republic of the Congo identified the need for policies to combat racial and religious discrimination and eliminate female genital mutilation. 110. Denmark expressed concern about the irregularities of the court case against former President Nasheed, which put into question judicial independence. 111. Ecuador recognized the importance that Maldives attached to the contribution of parliaments to the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations and welcomed the Social Security Act. 112. Egypt commended the accomplishments, including in health, social housing, education and women’s rights, and acknowledged that national ownership was needed for democratic consolidation. 113. Equatorial Guinea, in this golden jubilee year, welcomed the remarkable progress in expanding access to education, reducing inequality and empowering youth. 114. Ethiopia commended progress in education and housing and the commitments to address inequality and protect religious minorities to worship freely. 115. Fiji noted many similar challenges faced in the context of democratic transition, meeting constitutional obligations in line with human rights and climate change. 116. France commended the ratification of the Rome Statute but deplored that the judicial system did not allow for fair and just trials to be held. 117. Germany welcomed passage of the anti-torture and anti-human trafficking acts but was concerned at reported human rights violations, which contributed to a climate of growing fear and reduced space for public discussion. 118. Ghana welcomed such achievements as the draft bill on gender equality but was concerned at the case initiated by the Supreme Court against the Human Rights Commission and called for that decision to be rescinded. 119. Greece appreciated the recent ratifications, the adoption of the anti-torture and right to information acts and the draft gender equality law, which sought to increase compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 120. Honduras commended efforts to strengthen the institutional and democratic framework, including the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. 11