A/HRC/36/3 96. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed regret that the political situation had stagnated since the second cycle of the universal periodic review, mainly owing to pressure on those involved in peaceful and political activities, imprisonment of political and religious leaders and systematic harassment of the Shia population. It noted that about 1,000 persons in Bahrain were stateless because their nationality had been revoked. 97. Iraq commended Bahrain on the steps it had taken to set up the commission on the rights of prisoners and detainees, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Special Investigations Unit, which reflected the State’s efforts and legislation aimed at equality and protecting national unity and social cohesion. 98. Ireland urged Bahrain to accept the visit requests of the special procedure mandate holders and OHCHR. It urged Bahrain to immediately put an end to harassment of and reprisals against human rights defenders engaging in national and international advocacy. It shared the concerns of the Committee against Torture regarding torture and condemned the reintroduction of the death penalty. 99. Italy welcomed the establishment of the commission on the rights of prisoners and detainees, the Special Investigations Unit and the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the adoption of the national plan for the advancement of Bahraini women. 100. Jordan appreciated the initiatives Bahrain had undertaken to strengthen the institutional, legislative and constitutional frameworks and enjoyment of fundamental freedoms. Jordan welcomed the establishment of the ombudsman’s office and the high committee on the integrity of elections. 101. Kuwait commended Bahrain on submitting its reports for review on time. Kuwait supported all the measures taken by Bahrain to address terrorism, which it regarded as targeting the safety and security of citizens. 102. Lebanon commended Bahrain on fulfilling its international obligations in the area of the promotion and protection of human rights. Lebanon noted the grant allocated by Bahrain to provide training for judiciary members in line with international standards and human rights principles. 103. Libya appreciated the establishment of the national human rights institution, the adoption of a national development strategy and the launch of the national plan for the advancement of women. It asked Bahrain about the education and awareness training programme aimed at ensuring social integration. 104. Lithuania noted with pleasure the great efforts made since the previous review to improve the country’s human rights record. It congratulated Bahrain on the adoption of the law on child protection and for amending the penal code. 105. Luxembourg welcomed that a certain amount of progress had been made in the area of human rights, in particular women’s rights, including those related to economic independence, and workers’ rights. Nevertheless, there were still major challenges. 106. Maldives commended the launch of the national plan for the advancement of Bahraini women (2013-2022), in particular the focus on the principle of providing equal opportunities for and empowering women, and the establishment of a national committee to combat human trafficking. 107. Mauritania noted with satisfaction amendments made to legislation to ensure conformity with international standards of human rights and criminal justice, such as the amendments to the penal code concerning torture and to the law on public security relating to protecting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice. 108. The State of Palestine welcomed the State’s accession to human rights instruments, encouraged additional efforts to adopt national legislation in line with the international human rights standards and noted the adoption of several strategies and plans and the establishment of the national human rights institution. 109. The delegation of Bahrain reported that preparation of a new bill on press and electronic media was under way, and that the bill was aimed at promoting the freedom and independence of the press and electronic media institutions in accordance with international 10