A/HRC/41/17 education for girls and women, which would lead to their substantial contribution to social development. 29. Egypt commended the efforts made to strengthen human rights and the State’s acceptance of the proposal to establish an independent national human rights institution. It had also made efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities with its national plan for the period 2014 to 2018. 30. Fiji congratulated the State on the steady increase in the share of its national budget allocated to climate-related expenditure, as well as its national strategic plan on disaster risk management for health and the climate change strategic plan. 31. Finland was concerned about the shrinking civic and democratic space, particularly the restrictions on freedom of association, assembly and expression through repressive laws and regulations. 32. France welcomed the efforts made to reduce poverty and improve the health system and social protection. It noted the positive steps taken by the Government to re-open the political space, and encouraged the State to follow up on those measures. 33. Georgia noted the laws strengthening the independence of the judiciary system, and encouraged the State to continue the reform process in this direction. It welcomed the establishment of the national independent anti-torture mechanism, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 34. Germany commended the improvements in the protection of the rights of children and the greater effort made to fight human trafficking. 35. Greece noted the progress made with regard to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning persons, and the development of a safety net for the most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. It expressed deep concern about the worsening of the overall human rights situation in the country. 36. Honduras congratulated the State on the results achieved in the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations from previous cycles and its ratification of eight human rights treaties. It praised the State for the voluntary commitments it had undertaken. 37. Iceland welcomed the positive steps taken by the Government to promote human rights and its consistent support for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. 38. India commended Cambodia for reducing the poverty rate and for becoming a lower middle-income country. It also commended the progress made in primary and secondary education and in ensuring a high rate of enrolment of girls in higher education, and the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. 39. Indonesia welcomed the establishment of the National Committee against Torture in 2017. It also commended the adoption of the national strategic plan on disability for the period 2014 to 2018, and the implementation of the strategic plan for gender mainstreaming in 29 ministries and institutions to promote gender equality in public services. 40. The Islamic Republic of Iran commended the State for its efforts to promote human rights education and the training of law enforcement officials and civil servants. It also welcomed the efforts to combat human trafficking and the creation of the National Committee against Torture. 41. Iraq welcomed the training on human rights offered to law enforcement officials and judges. It also welcomed the State’s efforts to reduce poverty. 42. Ireland acknowledged the efforts made to advance human rights domestically, and commended the progress made since the previous cycle of the universal periodic review, including the work in preventing human trafficking. 43. Italy made recommendations. 5