HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS Ending discrimination on the basis of gender Progress was made by a number of countries in the approval of legislation and policies to combat discrimination on the basis of gender. For instance, gender equality laws were approved in the Republic of Moldova, Tanzania and Zambia. Legislation on particular women’s rights issues was also developed, including on domestic violence in Belarus and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, female genital mutilation in the Gambia and on forced marriage in Kyrgyzstan. In Mexico, the General Law on Torture and the General Law on Disappearances were adopted, both of which establish aggravating causes when the crimes are committed against individuals and groups in vulnerable situations, including children, women, persons with disabilities, elder persons, migrants and indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the new Criminal Code of the state of Coahuila was adopted, which decriminalizes abortion in cases where there is a risk to the health of the woman and/or when the pregnancy results from a sexual crime. In Tunisia, a law on violence against women and girls, in full compliance with international human rights standards, was adopted, in July. Following his January visit to Saudi Arabia, the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights made recommendations to the Government to lift restrictions that have a negative impact on women’s abilities to work, travel and become fully engaged as productive members of society. His visit and recommendations contributed to gradual changes in those discriminatory measures against women. In April, King Salman issued an order to review and amend all existing regulations and procedures that require a male guardian’s consent for women to access public services. In September, the Government made an historic decision to lift the driving ban for women. The Parliament of Morocco adopted legislation establishing a National Authority to combat discrimination and enhance equality. Benin adopted a plan of action on gender while, in Senegal, the Government developed and implemented a national action plan to fight discrimination against women and combat gender-based violence. At the subregional level, Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted four key documents to advance gender mainstreaming and the inclusion of women in political, peace and security processes. At the global level, the HRC resolution on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls (A/HRC/35/L.29) focused on the implementation of good practices on the subject and called upon States to, among other recommendations, repeal all laws that exclusively or disproportionately criminalize actions or behaviours of women and girls, and laws that discriminate against them; promote laws and programmes that facilitate good practices related to women’s and girls’ empowerment; and guarantee women’s equal enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Ending discrimination against persons with disabilities At the global level, the Human Rights Council Task Force on Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities finalized and adopted an action plan, which identifies four priority areas and related actions to increase accessibility to the work of the Council and its mechanisms in Geneva. At the regional level, the Council of the European Union (EU) took steps to promote and protect disability rights and adopted Council Conclusions on Enhancing Community-Based Support and Care for Independent Living. The Conclusions emphasize the need for EU member states to undertake action to accelerate the transition from institutional to community-based care to ensure that all citizens, including persons with disabilities, are able to enjoy their rights. In terms of developments at the national level, Benin and Senegal adopted laws on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, the Gambia drafted a Disability Bill and the Government of Guinea is reviewing a draft law on the protection of persons living with disabilities. Four Nigerian states adopted legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities and the Republic of Moldova approved a new framework for disability determination, which is in compliance with international standards. Some progress was achieved in the development of national action plans, policies and strategies on disability in Serbia, South Africa and Uganda. Furthermore, in Ethiopia, the National Committee in charge of implementing the CRPD launched a disability inclusion guide for trade unions. Ending discrimination against minorities With regard to the rights of the Roma population, the Government of Serbia made significant progress on their inclusion through the adoption of the Law on Housing, which is in line with human rights standards. UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2017 17