A/HRC/38/6 16. The Romanian Constitution and other laws provided guarantees for the independence of the judiciary. The national strategy for the development of the judiciary 2015–2020 and its subsequent action plan aimed at improving the efficiency of the judiciary. To date, the work on developing a comprehensive legislative framework on the functioning of the judiciary had been completed. 17. The national report outlined the efforts of the Government to address prison overcrowding. Significant progress had been made by reducing the shortage of detention places from 18,000 in 2012 to 4,300 in 2018. That issue would be fully addressed in the near future. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 18. During the interactive dialogue, 78 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 19. Australia commended Romania for the progress made in implementing reforms concerning anti-corruption and the judiciary. It encouraged Romania to continue its efforts towards gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Australia expressed concern about reports of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. 20. Israel commended Romania for its role as a chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. It noted the importance of the work of the National Council for Combating Discrimination and the measures taken to prevent discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. 21. Italy welcomed the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention), the adoption of the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, the establishment of a department on prevention of torture within the Ombudsman’s Office and the measures aiming at Roma inclusion. 22. Japan welcomed the efforts of Romania to combat human trafficking, and the reestablishment of the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption and legislative measures to protect the rights of children. 23. Malaysia was encouraged by the efforts of Romania to make education at all levels more accessible to a wider section of the population, including by setting up inclusive education centres, increasing access to education for children with special needs and adopting a national strategy to prevent children from dropping out of school. 24. Maldives commended Romania for the steps it had taken to strengthen the judiciary. Maldives was encouraged by the Government’s efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and welcomed the relevant national strategy. 25. Mexico welcomed the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and promoting gender equality, including the establishment of the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and the adoption of the national strategy. 26. Mongolia noted that issues such as gender inequality, domestic violence, women living in poverty, women’s employment, the wage gap and discrimination required serious attention. It expressed concern at the situation in the health sector. 27. Montenegro commended Romania for the progress achieved in judicial reform, fighting corruption and human rights protection overall. It encouraged Romania to continue strengthening inclusive policies, particularly in education, social and health protection and access to the labour market. 28. Morocco welcomed the fact that Romania was considering ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and its efforts in the field of human rights education, including professional training. 4