A/HRC/42/8 Additionally, the Government supported the establishment of civil society organizations such as the Royal Society for Senior Citizens and Ability Bhutan Society. 119. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea welcomed the policies to ensure free education and health care and the progress in poverty reduction and child protection. 120. The Democratic Republic of the Congo commended Bhutan for adopting the implementing regulations on the Child Protection Act, the Child Adoption Act and the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. 121. Denmark stated that by ratifying the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Bhutan would send a message that torture could not be tolerated. 122. Djibouti appreciated efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, to implement the Five Year Plan and to strengthen the legal and institutional framework. 123. Egypt congratulated Bhutan on its progress in the areas of poverty reduction, free education, the protection of economic and social rights, and the health sector. 124. Equatorial Guinea acknowledged the steps taken by Bhutan to protect the rights of women and children, as well as the right to education. 125. Eritrea welcomed the newly introduced measures in the domains of development, education, and the rights of children and women. 126. Estonia commended Bhutan for combining, as a unique development model, the implementation of the Five Year Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals and the pursuit of gross national happiness. 127. Ethiopia commended Bhutan for reducing income poverty and multidimensional poverty, including through the allocation of a significant portion of the total budget to social sectors. 128. Fiji welcomed the reporting by Bhutan on its initiatives for climate change and disaster management, and encouraged the country to continue to build its resilience. 129. France congratulated Bhutan on its efforts to consolidate the democratic process and improve the human rights situation, and encouraged it to continue. 130. Gabon welcomed the establishment by Bhutan of an independent national human rights commission, and its efforts to protect women and children, to promote gender equality and to combat trafficking in persons. 131. Georgia welcomed the legislative changes to better protect human rights in various fields, and the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. 132. Germany welcomed the commitment of Bhutan to democracy, the parliamentary elections in 2018, and its progress in preventing violence against women and children. 133. Ghana commended Bhutan for its Five Year Plan which enabled it to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and particularly for the progress in the areas of quality education, combating domestic violence, and poverty alleviation. 134. Honduras congratulated Bhutan on the progress it had made, especially in terms of the promotion of human rights through policies and legislation implemented at the local level. 135. Hungary valued the greater emphasis on women’s and children’s issues in the Five Year Plan, and commended Bhutan for reforms in health and education. 136. Iceland welcomed the national plan of action to promote gender equality and plans for environmental conservation. 137. India commended Bhutan for its gross national happiness concept, the holding of the 2018 elections, and the steps taken to mainstream gender, inequality, poverty and environmental issues in all policies. 10