A/HRC/48/9 51. Lebanon commended Paraguay for the power granted to the public prosecution service with regard to trafficking in persons in order to enable the service to combat the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. It welcomed the adoption of the National Plan on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons in 2020. 52. Malaysia welcomed the government plan entitled “Paraguay of the People” for 2018– 2023, the National Poverty Reduction Plan and the National Plan for Children’s Comprehensive Health 2016–2021, and encouraged Paraguay to make further advancements in the areas of labour; combating slavery; education for children; and the welfare of persons with disabilities and indigenous communities. 53. Maldives welcomed the Recommendations Monitoring System (SIMORE), and its updated version, SIMORE Plus, which drew on a network of 167 focal points from executive, legislative and judicial institutions and autonomous agencies. 54. The Marshall Islands noted dramatic climate events experienced by Paraguay that had disproportionately affected indigenous peoples and women, and expressed concern about high rates of discrimination against indigenous peoples, particularly ongoing violations of their land rights. 55. Mauritius welcomed the establishment of a rehabilitation centre for women aimed at empowering women in Paraguay. It also noted the Family Planning Programme designed to reduce maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality. 56. Mexico welcomed the Act on the Comprehensive Protection of Women from All Forms of Violence, the National Plan on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons, and the Act establishing the right to a pension for elderly people living in poverty. 57. Mongolia welcomed the Act on the Comprehensive Protection of Women from All Forms of Violence and the second National Plan to Combat Violence against Women (2015– 2020), and efforts to revise normative, institutional and programme frameworks in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It encouraged Paraguay to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman in line with the Paris Principles. 58. Montenegro welcomed SIMORE and SIMORE Plus. It expressed concern about the lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legal framework and the persistent discrimination against women, people of African descent, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, sex workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and persons living with HIV/AIDS. 59. Morocco noted the ratification of the Paris Agreement and the adoption of an act that prohibited the transformation and conversion of forest areas in the eastern region of the country. 60. Namibia acknowledged the country’s considerable progress in implementing the accepted recommendations and stated that it was impressed by the fact that Paraguay had a permanent national recommendation monitoring system, SIMORE Plus, which, inter alia, monitored the implementation of recommendations accepted during the universal periodic review process. 61. Nepal welcomed the Climate Change Act and the National Strategy for the Eradication of Child Labour and the Protection of Adolescent Labour 2019–2024. It expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Paraguay to combat trafficking in persons, and the country’s plans and policies to fight poverty. 62. The Netherlands encouraged Paraguay to continue efforts to improve gender equality, and to adopt the bill creating a mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders. It remained concerned about persistent impunity and the lack of comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation with a specific focus on vulnerable groups. 63. Nicaragua thanked Paraguay for introducing its national report and made recommendations. 64. The Niger welcomed the SIMORE monitoring system, and the National Development Plan of 2018, aimed at increasing the social protection of the population, and encouraged 6