A/HRC/41/16 80. Togo congratulated the Dominican Republic for having established the Ombudsman’s Office and implemented the second National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling. It also welcomed the creation of a followup system to the recommendations formulated by different human rights mechanisms. 81. Tunisia valued the progress achieved in the implementation of the recommendations from the previous universal periodic review cycle, particularly in efforts to combat violence against women and domestic violence, as well as to improve education and prevent school dropout. 82. Turkey praised achievements in gender equality initiatives. It encouraged the implementation of the National Development Strategy for 2030, which focused on child labour and pregnancy, and the elimination of violence against women and trafficking in persons, the reduction of poverty, social and territorial inequality and discrimination. 83. Ukraine noted positive measures taken to combat trafficking in persons, including the creation of the Criminal Investigation Unit within the Public Prosecution Service and the second National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling. It noted recent achievements in women’s rights through the implementation of the “Progressing with Solidarity” programme. 84. The United Kingdom welcomed the fact that the Dominican Republic had signed up to the call to action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking and joined the WeProtect Global Alliance. It remained concerned about the lack of access to human rights among undocumented migrants, the lack of a defined timeline for the prison reform and the increase in femicides. 85. The United States was encouraged by the agreement by the Dominican Republic to create a working group to address racial discrimination. It urged strict respect for judicial independence and impartiality and lamented widespread improper influence on judicial decisions. It remained concerned about the inconsistent enforcement of laws on freedom of association and collective bargaining. 86. Uruguay congratulated the Dominican Republic for having ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). It noted the creation of the Directorate against Gender Violence and the implementation of the National Plan against Gender Violence. 87. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the “Progressing with Solidarity” programme, which promoted the protection of the poorest families. It noted the certification of low-cost homes, the nationwide remodelling of hospitals, the high coverage of the national health insurance among older persons in extreme poverty, and the creation of educational centres. 88. Botswana welcomed the creation of the Directorate against Gender Violence by the Attorney General’s Office, and the National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling. 89. The delegation of the Dominican Republic stated that a great amount of progress had been made in political, economic, institutional and social terms. Allegations of the persecution of human rights defenders or journalists or of murders, disappearance or imprisonment no longer existed. 90. The economy had grown, generating opportunities for more employment and wealth. From an institutional point of view, the delegation referred to the method of election of judges and the system of tenure and judicial career. It highlighted the existence of entities with autonomy from the Government, such as the Constitutional Court, the Central Electoral Board and the Ombudsman’s Office. 91. From a social point of view, a great amount of progress had been made in the fight against poverty and inequality. The Government had made great efforts with respect to social policies without jeopardizing macroeconomic stability, growth and confidence in investment, with special emphasis on education. 9