A/HRC/12/15 Page 8 35. Norway appreciated that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has abolished prison sentences for defamation and recognized that sound legislation exists with the aim of protecting freedom of expression. It asked about progress in the implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Character and measures staken to prevent influence over the media. While, welcoming efforts in securing gender equality, Norway noted that the gender balance in local administration remains a challenge and asked how the work of the local Commissions is progressing and on specific measures to counter the gender imbalance. 36. Mexico recognized the Government’s will to advance in the eradication of violence against women through the enactment of the Law on Equal Opportunity Between Men and Women and the establishment of a committee on the subject. It asked how the committee worked and on its tangible results. It recognized the willingness shown by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to cooperate with human rights mechanisms by extending a standing invitation to special procedures and recommended the carrying out of pending visits by the mechanisms that have requested to do so. 37. Slovenia congratulated the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for the peaceful conduct of the local and presidential elections held in 2009 and welcomed progress, inter alia, in the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. Slovenia noted that more efforts will be needed to address the concerns of the smaller ethnic minorities, for example the Roma, and asked what the Government is doing to implement existing Roma policies. Slovenia asked for more information about the preparation of the anti discrimination law and also on the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. 38. The United Kingdom noted that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has made important efforts in judicial and police reform. It commended the Government for the participation of minority groups in national politics and applauded the legal obligation on political parties to ensure women’s participation, but expressed disappointment over the few female mayoral candidates in the recent municipal elections. The United Kingdom welcomed the work undertaken to improve the protection of the rights of disabled persons. 39. Turkey observed the progress made in implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and encouraged the Government to consider further improving the Law on Parliamentary Elections in order to ensure equitable representation of relatively small communities. It welcomed the establishment of the Commission and the impolementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities. It asked what measures have been taken in order to render effective the Agency for the Rights of the Ethnic Groups Which Are Less Than 20 per cent of the Population. It welcomed measures taken to ensure the right to education in the languages of persons belonging to the communities and encouraged the Government to fully implement the decision to deliver textbooks intended for students belonging to the communities. It encouraged the Government, inter alia, to further cooperate with international organizations and other countries in the training of penitentiary staff and financing of the projects. 40. Poland commended the priority placed by the Government on the prevention of and the fight against organized crime and corruption and recommended that the Government elaborate a comprehensive national programme to combat corruption, in particular in the law enforcement forces. It welcomed the establishment of the Office of the National Ombudsman and noted the need to strengthen its mandate and role. Citing reports, Poland noted that there had not been an appropriate review of the conformity of all laws and bylaws with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.