A/HRC/31/12 29. Trinidad and Tobago noted with satisfaction the legislative changes made to improve opportunities for women in the workplace and ensure equal protection against discrimination on all grounds. 30. Tunisia encouraged Austria to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Discrimination in Education and to intensify efforts in combating racial violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance. 31. Turkey noted with appreciation the active cooperation of Austria with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and civil society and efforts to foster tolerance and respect among different parts of society. 32. Uganda noted with concern that hundreds of girls were being subjected to female genital mutilation. It noted the decrease in official development assistance (ODA). 33. Ukraine noted with appreciation the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and the ongoing process of withdrawing reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It welcomed the reforms aimed at eliminating hate speech and discrimination. 34. The United Arab Emirates made three recommendations. 35. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed measures against Islamophobia and a decision on the adoption of children by same-sex couples. It encouraged Austria to combat all forms of discrimination. 36. The United States of America recognized the work of the Austrian Development Agency in promoting human rights. It encouraged Austria to continue treating migrants humanely and to provide protection in line with its international obligations. 37. Uzbekistan noted measures taken to implement the recommendations from the first review, including on administrative reforms, amendments to the Criminal Code and broadening the mandate of the Austrian Ombudsman Board. 38. Viet Nam noted with appreciation the achievements in protecting the rights of, and combating discrimination against, vulnerable groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities. 39. Afghanistan commended Austria for strengthening the rights of children and protecting children from violence. Afghanistan encouraged Austria to ensure that children under 14 years of age, in particular refugees and asylum seekers, were not placed in detention centres. 40. Albania noted the ratification of several international human rights conventions and commended Austria for extending the mandate of the Austrian Ombudsman Board to carry out preventive monitoring of places of detention. 41. Algeria congratulated Austria for reforming labour laws and welcomed the adoption of a national plan of action for the protection of women against violence (2014-2016). 42. Angola encouraged Austria to continue implementing measures against discrimination and to remove all obstacles undermining equality of rights of women, particularly women belonging to minority groups. 43. Argentina congratulated Austria for ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It noted concerns expressed by the United Nations treaty bodies regarding cases of discrimination and xenophobia against asylum seekers, refugees and members of ethnic and religious minorities. 6