A/HRC/8/44 Page 8 recent increase in the number of death sentences handed down, that approximately 100 persons are now on death row, that those who are sentenced to death learn that their execution is due to take place only a couple of hours before the sentence is carried out and that relatives are warned only after the hanging has taken place. Referring to relevant recommendations of human rights mechanisms, Luxembourg recommended that Japan not carry out the death penalty and re-apply a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty in accordance with the resolution adopted in this regard last December by the General Assembly. Luxembourg asked what specific measures Japan intended to take so as to make progress with the public and within the National Assembly about the need to reintroduce a moratorium on executions and for the abolition of the death penalty in law, as well as Japan’s intentions to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 23. Portugal expressed concern about the growing number of persons sentenced to death. In 2007, 46 persons were sentenced to death, the largest number since 1980, and since the beginning of 2008, 7 persons have been executed. Portugal asked how Japan intended to follow up on the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee that Japan take measures towards abolishing the death penalty and that, in the meantime, the penalty should be limited to the most serious crimes. Portugal recommended that a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty is established and that Japan signs the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR. Portugal referred to the concern of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at the persistence of deeply rooted and rigid stereotypes in Japan regarding the role and the responsibility of women and men in the family and the society, which are reflected in women’s situation in the labour market, educational choices and low participation in political and public life and recommended that Japan repeal all legal provisions that discriminate against women and that it sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 24. Poland noted with interest the innovative measures taken by the Japanese Government for the protection of human rights in the context of their violation on the Internet and noted that with the increasing role of Internet in globalized societies, such issues are of utmost importance. Poland found the experience of Japan on this matter extremely valuable, asked it to provide more detailed information and recommended that Japan share its experience in this regard with other States. 25. Egypt would appreciate more information on the views of the Government with regard to the right to development and of its efforts to promote this right at both national and international levels. 26. France made reference to the death penalty, indicating that Japan should envisage taking measures in this regard, particularly following the adoption by the General Assembly of the resolution on the universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty. France also referred to the issue of discrimination against women, encouraging Japan to continue taking measures against this type of discrimination, and in particular to raise the age of marriage to 18 for women as for men. Noting that article 14 of the Constitution prohibits racial discrimination, France indicated that no law provides for any remedies in this respect, and asked Japan about its plans to remedy this situation or overcome this gap in the next few years. On the issue of “comfort women”, France indicated that in the light of the many recommendations put forward by several committees on this subject, it would like to encourage Japan to find a long-lasting solution to this problem of women who were forced into prostitution during the Second World War.