A/HRC/45/2 503. 43 recommendations were noted as they were considered to be against Government laws, policies, cultures and traditions. These include a call on the abolition of the death penalty; a call to ratify optional protocols to various treaties dealing with communications procedure; amending the Marriage Act 1974 to include marriage of same-sex couples; amending or repealing Section 18(4)(C) of the Constitution with a view to protect women and persons with disabilities from discrimination. They were not accepted as some would require vigorous sensitization to bring a change in the mind-set of the citizenry. Although Lesotho noted almost the same recommendations in the second and third cycles, there has been progress regarding the noted recommendations and in the light of upcoming national reforms, some of these issues will be co-opted in the process. 504. Lesotho had already started implementing some of the recommendations and was optimistic that they will benefit rights holders at the national level and these include Cabinet’s approval on the amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act 2016 as well as tabling such in Parliament so as to enable the Act to be in compliant with the Paris Principles and submission of the periodic report on the domestic implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In order to address poverty reduction and food insecurity, the Government will support farmers with a 60 per cent subsidy for 2020-21 summer cropping. Furthermore, there has been a launch of Lesotho 2019-2020 Agricultural Census, which will assist in the formulation of policies and programmes related to agriculture. In order to alleviate gender-based violence, the Ministry of Gender and the Office of the First Lady signed a Memorandum of Understanding whose aim is to explore measures that could be undertaken at ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls and also working together on issues of gender-based violence in the country. As a means of addressing child marriage, Princess Senate Seeiso who is the champion of ending early child marriage, made a call to parents and caregivers, policy makers and community leaders to protect children in all aspects as no violence against children was justifiable. 505. As the universal periodic review is not an event but a process, Lesotho intended to bring all relevant stakeholders on board to ensure commitment to the implementation of the recommendations from the onset. It is also Lesotho’s anticipation to establish a National Mechanism on Reporting and Follow-up, which will ease tracking of the recommendations. In its absence, the Government will devise a work plan to ensure a coherent implementation of the recommendations. Lesotho intends to submit a mid-term voluntary report on the implementation of the recommendations akin to the second cycle. 506. Making reference to the COVID-19 virus, which was not only a public health emergency but also a human rights, crisis Lesotho reminded the importance of indivisibility of human rights as well as respect for human rights across the spectrum, which will be fundamental to the success of the public health response. While most Governments are continually devising strategies on how to curb the virus and protect their citizens, they also have to ensure that everyone is protected and included in the various responses and strategies. Lesotho added that it was through the concerted efforts of the United Nations system, its international and national partners, international community, national Governments that it will be able to build more effective and inclusive solutions through a human rights-based approach. 507. As Lesotho commenced its journey in the implementation of the recommendations, its ambition was to move expeditiously towards best practice in the field of human rights. The pace in this journey was determined by the availability of requisite resources, capacity and receptiveness of the society upon whom the adopted human rights were being applied. Despite the largely exogenous setbacks and challenges, including a decline in agricultural production as a result of deteriorating rangeland conditions, soil erosion and periodic droughts, food insecurity, unemployment, high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS that has increased child mortality as well as maternal health, there continued to be progress on most fronts. Lesotho remained committed to its obligations under international law and the 89