A/HRC/40/12 98. The Comoros recognized the country’s capacity to overcome challenges. It also recognized the country’s adoption of a new constitution and organization of presidential elections in 2016 in particular. 99. The Congo, while noting the obstacles to implementing human rights faced by the Central African Republic, welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution and the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Special Criminal Court. 100. Costa Rica welcomed the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It was nonetheless concerned about serious violations of the human rights of children and sexual violence against women by armed groups. 101. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It encouraged the Central African Republic to continue making reforms to promote reconciliation, security and peace. 102. Croatia welcomed the country’s ratification of human rights treaties and achievements in consolidating institutions and reforming security arrangements. It was concerned, however, by violations of fundamental rights, corruption, impunity and violence by armed groups. 103. Cuba recognized the actions taken by the Central African Republic to give effect to the recommendations made as part of the universal periodic review and the progress it had made in overhauling its institutional and regulatory framework. 104. Cyprus commended the Central African Republic for the measures it had taken to fulfil its international human rights obligations and for ratifying the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 105. Czechia welcomed the country’s support for recommendations it had been given during the second review cycle and its holding of general elections in 2016. 106. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea noted that the Central African Republic had made efforts to implement the recommendations made during the second review cycle, despite challenges and difficulties during the period under review. 107. The Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomed the ratification of treaties, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. 108. Denmark considered the country’s use of the death penalty to be a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the right to life. Miscarriages of justice were inevitable in all legal systems, and it strongly opposed the use of that irreversible punishment under all circumstances. 109. Djibouti welcomed the adoption of the 2016 Constitution and the establishment of institutions such as the Constitutional Court, the Court of Auditors, the High Court of Justice and, with particular relevance to human rights, the Special Criminal Court. 110. Egypt welcomed the country’s efforts to promote peace and national reconciliation, restore security, fight impunity, implement second-cycle recommendations and ratify international human rights instruments. 111. Estonia welcomed the ratification of treaties by the Central African Republic and encouraged it to honour those commitments. It recognized the country’s commitment to the international criminal justice system and encouraged it to launch the operations of the Special Criminal Court, provide it with the necessary resources and fight sexual and gender-based violence. 112. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended the Government for adopting numerous national laws and policies on the promotion and protection of human rights. The Government was also to be commended for making the protection of women a priority. 113. The delegation of the Central African Republic said that, despite the difficult sociopolitical situation in the country, efforts were being made to ensure compliance with obligations under international instruments, as was illustrated by the establishment of the 10 GE.19-00176