A/HRC/38/7 and social rights. Chad called on the international community to support the strengthening of national capacities in relation to security, justice and human rights. 80. Chile expressed appreciation for the adoption of the national policies on human rights and on transitional justice and for the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights and State Reform. Chile urged Mali to continue to cooperate with the Independent Expert and OHCHR and to implement recommendations on human rights. 81. China welcomed the progress made by Mali towards peaceful reconciliation. It also welcomed efforts to promote and protect standards of living, health and education, to combat violence against women and human trafficking and to protect the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. 82. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the adoption of policies and plans of action on human rights and transitional justice and the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights and State Reform. Côte d’Ivoire encouraged Mali to continue its reforms in order to address the persisting challenges to the promotion and protection of human rights. 83. Croatia welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission. It remained concerned about the indiscriminate attacks committed by armed extremist groups in northern and central Mali. Croatia called on Mali to strengthen its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict while respecting human rights and the rule of law. 84. Cuba noted that, despite the terrorist attacks, Mali had made progress in combating human trafficking and implementing the strategic framework for economic recovery and sustainable development. Cuba urged the international community to continue supporting Mali in accordance with the country’s capacity-building priorities. 85. Czechia thanked Mali for replying to its questions, acknowledged the progress made in some human rights areas and encouraged Mali to continue its efforts. 86. Denmark commended the progress made in the area of human rights training for Malian security forces and efforts to include provost marshals in field operations to ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Denmark was concerned about discrimination against women and girls and discriminatory provisions in the Persons and Family Code that allowed for the abuse of women and young girls by their husbands. 87. Ecuador commended Mali for its adoption in 2015 of the act by which it introduced measures to promote gender equality in access to appointed and elected office, in particular a minimum quota of 30 per cent for each gender. 88. Egypt commended the harmonization of Malian legislation with international instruments, the strengthening of the judicial system and transitional justice, the fight against impunity, the implementation of economic and social development projects, including on the rights to health, to education and to an adequate standard of living, and the State’s cooperation with the Independent Expert. 89. Estonia invited Mali to reduce its backlog of reports that were pending submission to the treaty bodies and to consider issuing a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders. It commended the adoption of human rights policies and plans of action on human rights and transitional justice. Estonia called on Mali to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses and to hold perpetrators accountable. 90. Ethiopia welcomed the adoption of the national policy on human rights and the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights and State Reform. It called on the international community to strengthen support to Mali, and for the capacities of State and non-State actors working in the human rights field to be strengthened. 91. France noted that even though freedoms were generally guaranteed in Mali, the situation of women, the dysfunctional judicial apparatus and certain types of behaviour by defence and security forces remained a concern. France expressed regret that most of the recommendations made in 2013 had not been fully implemented. 92. Gabon welcomed efforts by Mali to introduce a legislative and institutional human rights framework through the adoption of laws to improve the judiciary. It hailed measures GE.18-06102 9