A/HRC/39/7 58. Nepal welcomed the emphasis given to countering corruption, fighting human trafficking and promoting health and quality education. It also welcomed the State’s engagement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other United Nations human rights mechanisms. Nepal called upon Uzbekistan to continue its measures to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, to fight domestic and gender violence and to ensure gender equality. 59. The Netherlands welcomed the visits made to Uzbekistan by the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in 2017. It also welcomed the efforts made to eliminate child labour and to ratify all relevant conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). It regretted the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in Uzbekistan. 60. Nigeria commended the State for its cooperation with human rights mechanisms. It welcomed the State’s human rights plans and programmes, and the efforts it had made to uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and in countering terrorism. 61. Norway noted the greater openness and international engagement of Uzbekistan, the release of political prisoners, the removal of persons from black lists, the increasing freedom of the press and the progress made in abolishing forced labour. Restrictions on civil society and freedom of expression, association and belief, however, remained. 62. Oman appreciated the amendments made to the Constitution in 2017, and laws and regulations supporting social services for the elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. 63. Pakistan welcomed the measures taken on human rights and freedoms, and the action programme against human trafficking for 2017–2018. 64. Honduras praised Uzbekistan for its implementation of the recommendations that it had accepted. 65. The Philippines commended Uzbekistan for its efforts to institutionalize the protection of victims of trafficking by including a provision of medical support, and also to improve the normative framework to strengthen the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 66. Ireland welcomed the State’s increased cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, as shown by the visits of the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. Reports were still being received on the use of torture and ill-treatment against detainees and prisoners, and on the harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and ill-treatment of human rights defenders, journalists and government critics. 67. Portugal acknowledged ongoing reforms effected by Uzbekistan to ensure its socioeconomic development. 68. Qatar praised the State for the constitutional amendments made to bolster human rights, the adoption of the action strategy on five priority areas and the plan to support persons with disabilities. It welcomed also the efforts made to improve equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities. 69. The Republic of Korea welcomed the measures taken to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, the institutionalization of a constitutional court, the amendments made to the Citizenship Act and the regulations introduced to increase freedom of movement inside and across borders. 70. The Russian Federation welcomed the efforts made by Uzbekistan to approve national plans of action to implement the recommendations made by the treaty bodies and to amend the Constitution, particularly the provisions on the public control of activities conducted by the authorities. 71. Saudi Arabia acknowledged the increased level of cooperation of Uzbekistan with the treaty bodies and the special procedures, and its adoption of the memorandum of understanding between the National Centre for Human Rights and OHCHR. 7