A/HRC/12/15 Page 12 appointing judges that were not graduates of the academy for judges. It asked about steps taken by the Government to deal with these problems. Greece asked about intended measures to ensure full respect for the freedom of the press. Greece noted in other reports that ethnic separation was practiced in the schools of the country. It also noted that the Law on Equal Opportunity of 2006 and the 2007 National Action Plan for gender equality are positive steps. 56. Hungary commended the improvements in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s legal and institutional framework of human rights. It concurred with the need to reassess the legal status of “Kosovo refugees” and welcomed the priority given to the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities. Hungary showed concern at the slow pace of rebuilding the credibility and effectiveness of the judiciary. It underlined the low attendance of ethnic Albanians in the last elections, and expressed its hope that in the future the dialogue between the two ethnicities will continue on a regular basis and at a higher intensity. 57. Nicaragua noted the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s ratification of most of the international human rights instruments and the reports submitted to the different treatymonitoring bodies. It congratulated the Government for its cooperation with the various human rights mechanisms, particularly for having extended a standing invitation to the special procedures. 58. Japan commended the efforts of the Government to move forward with reform for the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities, including through such means as constitutional revision, the enactment of a variety of laws and institutional adjustments. However it referred to reports indicating that practical mechanisms to implement these policies are lacking and that better access is needed so that Roma women, in particular can realize their rights, on a number of levels, including to education, healthcare and employment. 59. Ireland noted with concern reports of intimidation and irregularities in the electoral list and asked about progress made by the Ministry of the Interior in its investigation of electoralrelated intimidation cases. It regretted that sufficient resources had not been provided to the Agency dealing with minority rights and asked for further information in this regard. It asked about concrete steps have been taken recently to improve the situation of human rights defenders. 60. Argentina commended the establishment of the National Ombudsman’s Office. 61. Spain asked what measures had been adopted to promote inter-ethnic cohesion between Slavic communities and those of other minority groups, particularly the Albanian community, and what plans it intends to implement in the following months to tackle gender violence. It also requested information on what measures had been adopted to promote a free and democratic political participation, including to confiscate firearms among the civilian population to avoid violent incidents such as those that occurred during the last elections. 62. Malaysia noted with encouragement the importance placed on the protection and promotion of human rights by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It commended legislative and constitutional amendments, in response to the events of 2001, which are aimed at accommodating the needs for the protection and promotion of human rights of non-majority persons. It asked the delegation to elaborate on measures undertaken to safeguard and promote the economic and social rights of children belonging to the Roma minority.