A/HRC/42/8 138. Indonesia applauded the efforts of Bhutan to reduce inequalities in rural areas, and to conduct training for law enforcement agents and legal awareness programmes for local leaders. 139. The Islamic Republic of Iran praised Bhutan for the steps to implement the Five Year Plans, and to adopt and amend the act on narcotic drugs. 140. Iraq welcomed the holding of elections, the launch of the Five Year Plan and all plans promoting the rights of women and children. 141. Ireland acknowledged the adoption of the Five Year Plan and expressed concern about the vulnerability of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons to discrimination and harassment. 142. Israel commended Bhutan for the smooth holding of the 2018 elections, and the efforts to achieve gender equality and to draft the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. 143. Italy welcomed the efforts to strengthen the National Commission for Women and Children, and to promote access to quality health and education, particularly in rural areas. 144. Japan appreciated the emphasis on narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas in education and employment through the task force on employment creation. 145. Jordan praised Bhutan for numerous programmes, particularly to enhance the right to health, and for legislative amendments to strengthen human rights. 146. Kazakhstan welcomed the anti-corruption policy, and the steps to preserve the environment, to enhance access to education and health care and to strengthen the judiciary. 147. Kuwait praised Bhutan for the efforts to protect human rights, including the legislative measures and strategies to reduce poverty. 148. Kyrgyzstan commended Bhutan for the steps to reduce poverty and to develop national policies to eliminate illiteracy and address the gender gap. 149. Regarding accession to core human rights treaties, Bhutan remained mindful of its resource and capacity constraints and the need to build the necessary legal and political institutions. Therefore, accession would be considered, based on national needs and priorities, following a thorough consultation process. 150. Nevertheless, the Government had put in place the rules of procedure on treatymaking as a basis for accession to and/or ratification of international instruments. Bhutan had confirmed its commitment to gradually joining the remaining human rights treaties. In this regard, Bhutan noted that the national interest analysis concerning ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities had been submitted to the Government. 151. As for the matter of citizenship, there were clear procedures laid down for the acquisition of citizenship, irrespective of ethnicity, gender or religion. More than 10,000 applicants had been granted citizenship since the enactment of the Constitution in 2008. 152. Regarding freedom of religion, Bhutan stated that change of faith should come through internal evolution rather than through external inducement. All religious groups were free to practice without any requirement to register with the Commission for Religious Organizations. 153. In collaboration with, and with the support of, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Bhutan had been training officials, including its law enforcement agencies, to deal with the issue of trafficking in persons. A draft standard operating procedure on that matter was ready, and would be submitted to the Government. 154. Regarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, Bhutan stated that no instance of prosecution had been registered. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community was freely represented through Rainbow Bhutan. The Government had been providing support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons living with HIV/AIDS, without any discrimination. 11