A/HRC/8/24 Page 12 constructive dialogue in the Human Rights Council and between developed and developing countries where both could learn from each other’s experiences. While there is a big disparity between the level of development of Finland and the Philippines, it expressed the hope to learn from Finland’s experience and apply those best practices which are within the means and capability and suitable to the Philippines. The delegation asked a question concerning violence against women, described in the report as “a serious societal problem”. The Philippines took note of the serious measures taken by Finland to address the problem and the positive results so far achieved. It appeared that measures mentioned in the report were heavily geared towards dealing with the consequences of aberrant male attitudes and values and that this approach would be in line with a zero-tolerance policy that relies on the strong arm of the law. Nevertheless, considering that the problem was a social one, it enquired whether there are other measures that would address the root causes of the problem rather than the consequences. The second question raised concerned indigenous people, in particular Finland’s efforts towards a settlement agreement on the drafting of a Government bill. Since indigenous issues were also of interest and concern to the Philippines, the delegation asked if Finland could identify the critical issues that needed to be resolved to make a settlement or a legislative bill acceptable to all parties concerned. 36. The representative of the United Kingdom considered that the Government of Finland has played an active role in campaigning to make the Universal Periodic Review as open and rigorous as possible. The United Kingdom highlighted, as an example of best practice, Finland’s decision to maximize the value of UPR by integrating this process into its ongoing national report on human rights policy. The United Kingdom commended Finland for the significant role it has accorded in promoting and protecting human rights in Finland and around the world, and the excellent way it has involved civil society in drafting the national report for this review. The United Kingdom welcomed Finland’s strong advocacy of human rights in international forums and through its pursuit of a rights-based approach to development. The United Kingdom further welcomed Finland’s plans outlined in its national report to combat discrimination against minority and indigenous peoples and the efforts to strengthen and preserve the rights, language and culture of Sámi, as an indigenous people, and the Roma. However, the delegate of the United Kingdom noted the recommendation made by the United Nations mechanisms that Finland should ratify ILO Convention No. 169, and it encouraged it to fulfil its intention to draft and ratify an agreement on the rights of the Sámi to their traditional lands. The United Kingdom also welcomed the attempts to end discrimination against conscientious objectors through the reforms of the Non-Military Service Act. However, it encouraged Finland to go further in reducing the duration of non-military service and to establish parity between the length of non-military service and the average, rather than the longest possible, length of military service. 37. Algeria congratulated the commitment of Finland to enhance the powers and capacity of the United Nations in the field of human rights. Algeria stated that the report indicated that the rights of migrants are considered as rights that are not realized. Algeria noticed that nevertheless the report highlighted the need of the Finnish society for migrant workers. Algeria indicated that the adoption of a programme relating to migrant policies was mentioned. Other measures in view of integrating migrant workers and their families have been also mentioned. Nevertheless, Algeria noted that the report did not refer to the eventual adherence of Finland to the ICRMW. Algeria reiterated the recommendation that already had been made that Finland accede to this universal instrument to translate its belief in the work of the United Nations into reality. 38. Following the dialogue, the representative of Finland, in her responses, referred to the national report which contained information on the National Plan of Action on combating trafficking in human beings, covering legislative and other measures taken. She explained that its education of teachers is one of the key reasons behind the good Finnish performance and wished to