A/HRC/8/44 Page 14 48. Italy noted that corporal punishment, although legally prohibited in schools, continues to be widely practiced and asked what measures had been taken to address the concerns expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in this regard and recommended that Japan expressly prohibit all forms of corporal punishment of children and promote positive and non-violent forms of discipline. Italy asked for more information on the comprehensive reform of the 1908 Prison Law, in particular how it responds to the observations of the Committee against Torture. Regarding concerns about the conditions of persons detained on death row, Italy recommended that Japan, following General Assembly resolution 62/149, progressively restrict the use of death penalty and reduce the number of offences for which it may be imposed, and establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. 49. Argentina commended Japan on the efforts it made, noting that it is close to ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance so as to achieve its early entry into force. 50. The Russian Federation noted that a number of human rights treaty bodies and special procedures have repeatedly expressed concern regarding the lack of a definition of the concept of discrimination and also noted the discriminatory provisions concerning women, in particular with respect to the minimum age for marriage as well as the period that must elapse after divorce before women can re-marry. It asked about the measures taken in this area. It also expressed concern about the situation of foreign women who are experiencing domestic violence. The immigration status of these women depends on their cohabiting with their spouses and because of fear of being repatriated these women do not search help and do not take steps to file for separation or divorce. It wished to know how the rights of foreign women are protected. According to the information of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, in Japan there are still cases of racial discrimination and xenophobia affecting national minorities, foreigners and migrants. Minorities are in a vulnerable economic and social situation with respect to employment, access to housing, marriage, pension coverage, access to health facilities and education and the State institutions. Russian Federation asked about steps taken to combat the manifestation of racial discrimination and xenophobia. 51. Qatar asked Japan to explain what steps are being undertaken with a view to establishing the national human rights institution and recommended that Japan continue its efforts to establish an institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. Qatar also noted that in spite of efforts to promote and protect the rights of women, discrimination still existed and asked what measures and policies Japan intended to take to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. 52. Sri Lanka noted that Japan has demonstrated its firm belief that capacity-building should constitute the main element in assisting efforts to improve the human rights situation. Sri Lanka asked Japan to elaborate more on its National Youth Development Policy and share its plans with regard to the formulation of this new policy. 53. Mauritania highlighted, inter alia, the actions taken by Japan for the promotion of human rights of specific groups of persons and requested that Japan provide additional information on measures to ensure the rights of elderly workers. 54. Romania welcomed Japan’s outstanding progress in combating trafficking in human beings and asked it to further elaborate on additional measures taken to ensure that victims of violence receive appropriate protection and support regardless of nationality and residence. Romania appreciated efforts made to enforce the revised version of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law. Since women’s income remains lower than that of men, Romania asked what measures Japan