A/HRC/58/17 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 27. During the interactive dialogue, 88 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 28. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended the progress made in advancing women’s rights and welcomed the improvement of health infrastructure. 29. Latvia commended efforts to achieve gender equality, while remaining concerned about the suppression of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, and about arbitrary detentions and deprivation of nationality. 30. Lebanon congratulated Nicaragua for its good track record in promoting women’s political participation and its investment in school infrastructure. 31. Liechtenstein made recommendations. 32. Lithuania regretted that, since the previous review cycle, restrictions on civic space and the repression of journalists, members of Catholic Church and other groups in society had intensified. 33. Luxembourg made recommendations. 34. Malaysia welcomed the implementation of the national poverty reduction and human development plan, which had helped to improve Nicaraguans’ quality of life. 35. Maldives commended the progress made in guaranteeing the right to free, comprehensive and inclusive education. 36. Mexico commended the ratification of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement) and the progress made towards gender parity in the executive and legislative branches. 37. Montenegro regretted that Nicaragua had maintained its decision to cease cooperation with international and regional human rights mechanisms, creating a protection gap in the country. 38. Nepal welcomed the progress made on gender equality and took positive note of the adoption in 2022 of the National Climate Change Policy. 39. The Kingdom of the Netherlands was concerned by the worsening human rights situation, in particular the shrinking of civic space through the closure of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the confiscation of their assets. 40. New Zealand acknowledged the participation of Nicaragua in the universal periodic review and urged it to cooperate with other international and regional human rights mechanisms. 41. The Niger welcomed the approach to HIV/AIDS and other measures to ensure economic and social development. 42. Norway welcomed the participation of Nicaragua in the universal periodic review process, while remaining concerned about the human rights situation in the country. 43. Oman commended the efforts to support economic growth and improve the quality of life of citizens, especially through the national poverty reduction and human development plan. 44. Panama made recommendations. 45. Paraguay highlighted the importance of transparent and good faith cooperation with human rights mechanisms. It expressed concern about the democratic backsliding, the persistent human rights crisis, the deterioration of the rule of law, restrictions on civic space, the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers. 46. GE.24-23484 Peru made recommendations. 5