A/HRC/38/4 Assembly had established a fact-finding mission on French military operations in Rwanda. A large volume of archives had already been opened and the mission’s work was ongoing. 100. France was working to ensure that allegations of sexual abuse of children by French soldiers in the Central African Republic were investigated and that if those allegations were proven, that the persons responsible were brought to justice. France placed great importance on the prevention and suppression of sexual violence and demanded exemplary conduct from its soldiers. 101. The French delegation recalled that the President of the Republic had committed to increasing public spending on development assistance to 0.55 per cent of the gross domestic product by 2022. 102. France was committed to secularism and to freedom of religion and belief. The French authorities continued to make strenuous efforts to combat anti-Muslim acts and acts of hatred. The principle of secularism applied to providers of public services rather than to users of those services. As an exception to that rule, in 2004 lawmakers had chosen to prohibit the wearing of overt religious symbols in public schools in order to preserve the neutrality of public education, maintain a calm atmosphere in the schools and help to ensure that children were not discriminated against because of their religion. 103. France was committed to strengthening its efforts to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, as had been demonstrated on the occasion of the visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities to France in October 2017. Measures were being taken to ensure that persons with disabilities were better able to exercise their right to vote, to improve the schooling provided to students with disabilities, to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in transport and housing, and to do more to help such persons find employment and remain in their jobs. Steps were also being taken to monitor the use of restraints and seclusion more closely. 104. Afghanistan praised the interministerial plan of action against radicalization and terrorism. 105. Albania noted efforts to combat racial discrimination, xenophobia and antiSemitism. 106. Algeria made recommendations. 107. Andorra welcomed the recent ratification of international human rights instruments. 108. Angola welcomed progress made on civil, political and social rights, especially regarding immigration. 109. Argentina highlighted efforts to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and to promote children’s rights. 110. Armenia welcomed the commitment to counter impunity, and the High Council for Family, Childhood and the Elderly. 111. Australia welcomed laws on same-sex marriage and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, but noted the stigmatization of minority groups. 112. Austria commended France for lifting the state of emergency following the 2015 terrorist attacks. 113. Azerbaijan appreciated efforts to implement recommendations from the second review cycle. 114. Bahrain commended France for its policy on migrant children and refugee children. 115. Bangladesh welcomed efforts to combat discrimination, but expressed concern at reports of racial profiling. 116. Belarus made recommendations. 117. Belgium made recommendations. 118. Benin welcomed the ratification of Council of Europe and International Labour Organization (ILO) instruments, and the Paris Agreement. 8 GE.18-05727