A/HRC/41/16 21. Canada welcomed the positive steps that the Dominican Republic had taken to protect human rights by issuing the National Human Rights Plan in December 2018. 22. Chile praised the Dominican Republic for its first National Human Rights Plan, for having created a monitoring system for the implementation of recommendations, and for having ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 23. China welcomed efforts to promote sustainable economic and social development, eradicate poverty, develop education and health and protect the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, adolescents and persons with disabilities. It also welcomed the reform of the judiciary, and measures to combat corruption and trafficking in persons. 24. Colombia welcomed the launch of mechanisms, plans and institutional action to combat trafficking in persons and in migrants. It underlined institutional work for the elimination of child labour through awareness-raising campaigns and the National Strategic Plan against Child Labour. 25. Costa Rica was concerned about widespread racial discrimination, legal provisions and action that resulted in a precarious situation for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, particularly those of Haitian origin, and persistent discrimination against and gender stereotyping of women and girls. 26. Cuba emphasized the inclusion of a gender perspective and the rights of women in the updated legal framework of the Dominican Republic, as well as the efforts made for the protection of children and the reduction of child labour. 27. Cyprus noted with appreciation the National Strategic Plan for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality, the National Plan for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy, the National Strategic Plan against Child Labour and the Government’s determination to eradicate the exploitation of children. It commended the Government for its decision to instruct all directors of State educational institutions to proceed with the enrolment of all children and teenagers, regardless of their status. 28. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended the Dominican Republic for the efforts and achievements made in the implementation of the recommendations that it had received from the second universal periodic review cycle. It particularly noted the implementation of a number of plans and programmes, including the National Strategic Plan against Child Labour and the “Progressing with Solidarity” programme. 29. Denmark noted that the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment established practical tools for preventing torture and ill-treatment that were of proven value both for those working in custodial systems and for detainees. The Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to assist the Government in that regard. 30. Ecuador welcomed the National Human Rights Plan, the second National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling, the creation of a monitoring system for United Nations recommendations and the implementation of the National Plan for the Regularization of Foreign Nationals, which had allowed the regularization of more than 260,000 persons of over 100 nationalities. 31. Egypt commended the Dominican Republic for the efforts that it had made to combat child labour and violence against women. It urged the country to press on with its efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive social development, including housing for the needy, education for all and improved conditions for persons with disabilities. 32. El Salvador noted with appreciation the campaigns geared towards the prevention of violence against women, as well as its programmes aimed at tackling and helping to eliminate such violence. It welcomed efforts made with a view to combating people smuggling and trafficking in persons. 33. France welcomed the improvements in the human rights situation in the Dominican Republic, such as the adoption of the first National Human Rights Plan, the National Plan 4