A/HRC/23/10 prostitution and child pornography. Luxembourg called for cooperation in fighting against international crime rings. At the domestic level, the delegation recalled that Luxembourg had ratified the main international instruments and that its legislation provided for harsh penalties for such offences. 64. With regard to implementation measures to combat trafficking in persons, the delegation referred to the three relevant acts adopted in 2009 and 2012. The Criminal Code provided for extremely harsh penalties in that area. 65. Luxembourg would maintain its efforts in the area of official development assistance, despite budgetary constraints. The delegation also called on the international community to strengthen its efforts to increase official development assistance to 0.7 or 1 per cent of gross domestic income, recalling that such a step was required to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 66. In response to the questions on the acceptance rate for asylum applications, the delegation explained that over the past 18 months the country had received an exceptionally large number of applications from citizens of European countries not considered to be at risk. Leaving aside that influx, the acceptance rate for asylum applications was generally above the European average. 67. As for refugee resettlement programmes, the delegation recalled the country’s previous experience in that area and also reported that it intended to carry out new projects in 2013 in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other European countries. 68. Admittedly, there had been delays in the submission of some reports to the treaty bodies. Luxembourg undertook to take the steps required to submit its reports on time in the future. 69. In response to a question on the possibility of visits by Special Rapporteurs to Luxembourg, the delegation recalled that all the thematic Special Rapporteurs had a standing invitation and that any who wished to visit Luxembourg would be welcome. 70. In response to questions on discrimination against women in the labour market, the delegation recalled that the domestic law prohibited any difference in pay between men and women. Enforcement of that measure was a priority for the country’s authorities. 71. With regard to the rights of persons with disabilities and their access to the labour market, the delegation pointed out that companies and government bodies were subject to a 5 per cent quota. Unfortunately, that target had not yet been met, but a series of initiatives would be taken in 2013 in order to achieve it. 72. In response to a question on access to a lawyer in the event of arrest, the delegation explained that all persons who were arrested had the right to the assistance of a lawyer. The bar association ran a 24-hour on-call service for that purpose. 73. With regard to financial assistance provided to asylum seekers, the delegation explained that asylum seekers were fully provided for by the State. They received accommodation and had access to health services, and the children were integrated into the national school system. The financial assistance provided directly to refugees had recently been brought in line with the amounts provided by neighbouring countries. 74. In the area of marriage, the relevant legislation was currently being amended in order to ensure perfect equality between men and women, notably by abolishing the waiting period for remarriage following divorce or widowhood. The Government was also considering the possibility of allowing same-sex marriage. 10 GE.13-12572

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