A/HRC/47/6 71. Nepal praised Mauritania for implementing a minimum quota for women on electoral lists for legislative, regional and municipal elections. It recognized the General Child Protection Code, which criminalized child marriage and female genital mutilation. 72. The Netherlands commended Mauritania for adopting legislation to combat slavery and to strengthen the rights of women and girls. It strongly regretted the persistence of widespread discrimination, especially against the Haratin and Afro-Mauritanian communities. 73. New Zealand made recommendations. 74. Nigeria commended Mauritania for its efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks on the protection of human rights and the measures it had taken to fight against human trafficking and to protect persons in vulnerable situations. 75. Norway commended Mauritania for its first democratic transition in June 2019 and recognized the Government’s increased efforts to combat corruption. 76. Oman noted the efforts of Mauritania to promote and protect human rights, especially its qualitative and quantitative progress in the adoption of laws. 77. Pakistan appreciated the fact that Mauritania had developed a national action plan for the implementation of the recommendations made during the universal periodic review and noted the steps it had taken to increase women’s empowerment and to address gender-based violence. 78. The Philippines commended Mauritania for its adoption of laws on reproductive health, child protection, discrimination and prevention of trafficking. It welcomed the ratification of the ILO Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143) and the ILO Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). 79. Poland acknowledged the efforts of Mauritania to eradicate slavery, combat female genital mutilation and prevent women from being denied the right to own or inherit land. It noted the pressure put on the health and social systems by the COVID-19 pandemic. 80. Portugal welcomed the efforts of Mauritania to implement the review recommendations and the pledges it had made at the Global Refugee Forum. It called on Mauritania to implement them swiftly. 81. The Russian Federation welcomed the changes Mauritania had made in the area of law enforcement after the second review cycle, especially its accession to international human rights instruments and their effective incorporation into the national legal system. 82. Rwanda noted with appreciation the establishment by Mauritania of a mechanism for implementing the National Strategy for Gender Mainstreaming, composed of a committee chaired by the Prime Minister and a gender monitoring group. 83. Saudi Arabia welcomed the great efforts made by Mauritania to protect and promote human rights and to ensure positive interaction with international human rights mechanisms. 84. Serbia commended Mauritania for its efforts to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle and welcomed the measures aimed at the inclusion of women in public and political life. 85. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the Act on the Criminalization and Punishment of Slavery and urged the Government to enforce it consistently. 86. Somalia welcomed the Government’s efforts to align the national legislation of Mauritania with its international human rights obligations, with the aim of providing legal guidance to the country’s judiciary and enhancing citizens’ rights. 87. Spain congratulated Mauritania on the efforts made by the National Human Rights Commission to promote significant participation by civil society in the preparation of the review. 88. Sri Lanka welcomed the adoption of the bill to combat violence against women and girls and the establishment of legal procedures to protect victims. GE.21-04660 7