A/HRC/12/12 Page 13 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the opening-for-signature ceremony of 24 September, during the treaty event in New York. 62. The Philippines congratulated Uruguay for the enactment of the 2008 law that criminalizes human trafficking, and the formulation of the 2007 National Plan to Eradicate Commercial Sexual Exploitation. However, it stressed that efforts to combat trafficking in persons need to be further strengthened. The Philippines also asked about measures taken to address the issue of domestic violence and recommended that Uruguay: (a) consider the formulation of a national action plan or inter-agency mechanism to combat trafficking in persons and provide assistance to victims, bearing in mind the need to bring a human rights-based approach to the issue; (b) continue its efforts to promote gender equality and greater participation of women in the public and private sectors. 63. The United States of America asked about measures taken to identify and assist trafficking victims. Stating that trafficking often occurs with corruption of law enforcement agents, it asked what Uruguay is doing to prevent corrupt behaviour. The United States recommended that Uruguay increase law enforcement efforts to stop trafficking offenders, including law enforcement and border security; as appropriate, take measures to investigate, prosecute and penalize those agents who accept bribes or otherwise facilitate trafficking; increase efforts to implement the new anti-trafficking law; expand anti-trafficking training for judges and law enforcement personnel; and increase victim services and protection efforts. 64. Germany stated that it shares concerns with regard to high child poverty, economic exploitation and homelessness of children, as well as trafficking in children for the purpose of sexual exploitation and sale. It recommended that the Government (a) abolish the Law on the Expiry of the Punitive Claims of the State to allow for thorough and all-encompassing investigation and prosecution of all human rights violations in the past; (b) establish, at the earliest possible date, an independent human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles; (c) promote equality between women and men, in particular concerning the level of participation of women in public life and in the employment sector; (d) take adequate measures to fight trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation as well as domestic violence against women; and (e) abolish all discriminatory laws against women with regard to family and marriage. 65. Spain made reference to the cooperation of Uruguay with the international human rights mechanisms. Spain recommended that Uruguay (a) incorporate the definition of discrimination contained in CEDAW in its domestic legislation; (b) reform provisions of the civil code that discriminate against women, such as those that set a minimum age of 12 for marriage, prohibit widows and divorced women from getting married again before 300 days, or provide a food pension for women who lead a “disorganized life”; and (c) undertake a reform and an investment plan to improve conditions in the penitentiary system. 66. The Syrian Arab Republic referred to progress made in the field of family work conditions as reported in an ILO report, and commended Uruguay for the specific attention it attributes to the participation of trade unions in decision-making processes. The Syrian Arab Republic recommended that Uruguay speed up its prospective plan to address the legal gap in its criminal law system according to which the victims are nor given the right to participate in the proceedings.