A/HRC/48/4 programme. A policy had been introduced by the ruling party to bring indigenous people into elected party structures. The Electoral Commission of Namibia had the mandate to register and educate all citizens who were eligible to vote. Namibia had been ready to welcome the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples in 2020 but, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit was postponed, with a future date yet to be arranged. 19. The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (1 of 2018) was effectively being operationalized. The national referral mechanism and the standard operating procedures for the identification, protection, referral and safe return of victims of trafficking had been launched and a police and prosecutor training manual and pocket manual on trafficking in persons had been developed. 20. The COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the lack of realization of universal health care, as illustrated by the fact that only 0.2 per cent of people in developing countries had been vaccinated, while the same was true for over 30 per cent of people in developed countries. While emphasizing the importance of vaccine equality, Namibia was grateful to those countries that had donated vaccines and offered relevant support in its efforts to combat the pandemic. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 21. During the interactive dialogue, 106 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 22. Slovenia commended Namibia for becoming a pathfinder country within the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children. It expressed concern about discrimination against women and girls. 23. Somalia commended Namibia for its efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework. 24. South Africa commended Namibia for its policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed the increase in young women graduating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 25. Spain commended Namibia for the progress made in the fight against human trafficking and in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. 26. Sri Lanka commended Namibia for its commitment to promoting the right to education and the rights of persons with disabilities and to combating human trafficking. 27. The State of Palestine commended Namibia for its Social Accountability and School Governance programme and for combating gender-based violence. 28. The Sudan acknowledged the efforts made to protect human rights, particularly by strengthening the institutional and legislative framework. 29. Switzerland encouraged Namibia to pursue efforts to promote gender equality in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 5. 30. The Syrian Arab Republic appreciated the adoption of national development plans and the strengthening of social protection systems to reduce poverty. 31. Thailand commended Namibia for its efforts to achieve gender equality, the progress made to combat HIV/AIDS and opening the first correctional centre for women. 32. Timor-Leste welcomed the plans to enact new legislation on the rights, protection and care of older people. 33. Togo welcomed the improved normative framework to combat human trafficking, violence and harassment in the world of work in Namibia. 34. Tunisia noted the efforts made by Namibia to cooperate with international human rights bodies and the progress made towards democracy and the rule of law. 4