A/HRC/57/5 18. Ireland condemned human rights abuses, particularly against women, girls and minorities, and stated that it was appalled by the use of death penalty for adultery and homosexuality. 19. Italy expressed appreciation for the collaboration of Afghanistan with civil society and human rights defenders in preparing the national report. 20. Japan acknowledged signs of improvement in the economy and security in Afghanistan; however, little progress had been made in addressing the human rights situation, particularly with regard to women and girls. Japan reiterated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. 21. Kuwait commended Afghanistan for preparing its national report and urged it to take concrete steps to implement previous recommendations and to improve human rights for the most vulnerable. 22. Kyrgyzstan expressed appreciation for the engagement of Afghanistan in the universal periodic review process, which was aimed at supporting it to uphold the principles of democracy and respect for human rights through the engagement of all the stakeholders involved. 23. Libya commended Afghanistan for cooperating with the universal periodic review process and presented its recommendations. 24. Liechtenstein expressed concern about the humanitarian and human rights situations, particularly the targeting of former government officials and human rights defenders and the increased violence against women and girls. 25. Lithuania thanked Afghanistan for its national report and reiterated the recommendations made to it during the previous review cycle. 26. Luxembourg thanked the delegation of Afghanistan for the presentation of its national report. 27. Malawi thanked the delegation for the comprehensive presentation and wished Afghanistan success in implementing the recommendations. 28. Malaysia urged the international community to intensify efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, human capital development and financial support to the people of Afghanistan. 29. Malta expressed concern about the deterioration of the human rights situation, highlighting that the obligations of Afghanistan under international covenants remained, irrespective of the composition of the Government. 30. Mexico expressed concern about the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan since its previous universal periodic review. 31. Mongolia called for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in all aspects of public life in Afghanistan. 32. Montenegro expressed alarm about the egregious human rights abuses and violations by the Taliban, the dismantling of institutional and judicial protection for human rights, the erosion of the rule of law and the systemic discrimination against and oppression of girls and women. 33. Morocco highlighted the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially for women and children, following the Taliban’s takeover. While supporting peace efforts, Morocco advocated for an inclusive Government to stabilize Afghanistan. 34. The Kingdom of the Netherlands condemned the unparalleled human rights violations against vulnerable groups and the aggravation of the systematic exclusion of women, who had no access to education, work, political participation or judicial protection. 35. New Zealand expressed deep concern about the dire situation in Afghanistan, particularly about the systematic deterioration of women’s and girls’ rights. 4 GE.24-09690