A/HRC/8/41 Page 11 Equality Act in 2004, Portugal asked in which measure the recommendations made by CEDAW were addressed, and whether Switzerland intends to implement the recommendation on the definition of “discrimination against women”. Noting that CEDAW also recommended the formulation of an extensive strategy which should include measures of prevention, the prosecution and punishments of offenders, increased international cooperation and the development of a programme of action for women forced into prostitution, Portugal welcomed the forthcoming ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 38. Finland noted that according to latest estimates the popular initiative on “democratic naturalization” has relatively good changes of being approved by the forthcoming referendum. The initiative, if approved, would leave the municipalities free to determine which body decides about naturalization. In addition, a municipal decision would be final, i.e. not open to appeal. Finland therefore would like to know how Switzerland intends to guarantee that its naturalization process is in compliance with its international human rights obligations. 39. Guatemala stated that racism and xenophobia were real problems in the Swiss society. While acknowledging the efforts made by the Swiss Government to combat these phenomena, inter alia, though the establishment of the Department to combat racism and the Federal Commission against racism, Guatemala wished to reiterate the recommendation made by CERD that Switzerland continue its efforts to prevent and to fight racism and xenophobia, in particular through education and awareness-raising campaigns, which could enlighten the population about the positive aspects of migration, and the development of appropriate legislation to combat racism. In the same vein, Guatemala urged Switzerland to consider ratifying the ICRMW. 40. Nigeria noted the establishment of institutions to combat racism. However, Nigeria asked whether, considering article 261 of the Criminal Code, there are specific cases of conviction or any type of punishment of the perpetrators of such acts, especially in the police and security agencies. Nigeria recommended that Switzerland take necessary steps to prevent the incidence of acts of violence with racist and xenophobic undertones by security agents against foreigners, immigrants and asylum-seekers and to bring to justice the perpetrators of such acts. 41. Germany encouraged Switzerland to continue towards the establishment of a national human rights institution and asked about the measures taken by the Government, at both federal and local level, to address the relatively high rate of suicide among juveniles and to find a solution thereto. Germany recommended that Switzerland withdraw its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to accede to Optional Protocol thereto. 42. Republic of Korea recognized the efforts of Switzerland to address the issue of racism by establishing the Federal Service for Combating Racism and the Federal Commission Against Racism, and the focus on the activities occurring in the field of public relations by paying close attention to campaigns and public interventions and hoped that such efforts will be successful. In 2007, the Special Rapporteur on racism recommended that Switzerland recruit staff from the immigrant population and the various foreign communities and promote comprehensive training in all State services and institutions that deal with immigration and the situation of foreigners. It wished to know more about measures taken to implement this recommendation. 43. Norway stated that if accepted, the initiative for “democratic naturalization” could endanger a number of basic achievements in the field of human rights. Should municipalities be allowed to “naturalize by vote”, the right to know the reasons of the refusal and the right to appeal may be at stake. It therefore asked how the Swiss authorities plan to deal with this evident problem of