A/HRC/10/29 December 2008. While 36 had been accepted and 17 were being considered for detailed study, the rest did not enjoy the country’s support because of several social, cultural and legal factors. 418. The steps taken since December 2008 to realize voluntary commitments and recommendations included: (a) ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in February 2009; (b) preparation of a study by a Government committee, presented to the Cabinet, for consideration of acceding to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as the protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child; (c) the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the additional protocol thereto, which are in the process of being ratified; (d) opening of a series of human rights-related workshops to benefit from international best practices (one such workshop had been held in February 2009, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, to improve the knowledge of human trafficking by law enforcement officials). The United Arab Emirates tackled concerns related to temporary contractual workers with the International Labour Organization (ILO) through, inter alia, the Decent Work Country Programme; (e) the Government had initiated a study of human rights commissions in various countries to help formulate its own national institution, in line with the Paris Principles; (f) a national media campaign to enhance public awareness of human trafficking was being worked out; and (g) two new related institutions had recently been set up: the Human Rights Department under the Ministry of the Interior, and the Dubai Community Development Authority. 419. In relation to recommendations 2, 3, 6, 25, 32 and 36 (A/HRC/10/75, para. 91) dealing with strengthening human rights mechanisms, the Universal Periodic Review Committee, a multidisciplinary body chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, was studying various measures in line with national beliefs and traditions, particularly Islamic sharia, and in coordination with relevant authorities. The Federal National Council would review these measures. For instance, workshops and training sessions would be conducted to draw up a national strategy to spread a human rights culture. A plan of action to raise awareness on human rights-related labour issues was outlined by the Ministry of Labour in January 2009, in coordination with 17 Government departments and the private sector. Furthermore, official invitations had been sent to the Special Rapporteurs on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The visits are expected to take place in 2009. 420. With regard to recommendations 4, 8, 19 and 34, the United Arab Emirates was actively considering introducing human rights education for students in grades 1 to 12. Furthermore, to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the higher college of technology was organizing a series of lectures. 421. With regard to recommendations 10 and 31, the Universal Periodic Review Committee had encouraged civil society organizations to participate in both the build-up and compilation of the national report, as well as the plan of action. The Ministry of Social Affairs would establish a standing forum with civil society organizations to facilitate dialogue and understanding. In February 2009, Du, the country’s integrated telecom operator, and the Ministry of Social Affairs jointly launched Musahama, a comprehensive web portal for civil society organizations in the country. 422. Regarding the rights of temporary contractual workers mentioned in recommendations 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 35, the Ministries of Labour and the Interior continued to strengthen laws on the working and living conditions of expatriate workers. A domestic workers’ law, which would have a positive impact on women, was in 152 GE.09-17451