A/HRC/8/24 Page 13 stress the human rights dimension of the Finnish education system. As a response to the question on the right to a healthy environment, the representative of Finland stated that according to the Finnish Constitution it is the task of the public authorities to endeavour to guarantee for everyone the right to a safe and healthy environment. The Constitution also declares that the responsibility for the environment lies with everyone. She explained that Finland is bound by the very strict environmental legislation of the European Union and Finland follows its EU obligations very strictly. On the important question on the length of the Finnish non-military service that has recently been shortened and is now equal to the longest duration of military service, under the Military Services Act, the representative of Finland referred to the Finnish Constitutional Committee of Parliament which compared the burden of non-military and military services and the overall burden irrespective of the length was assessed to be more or less equal between the two forms of services and this is the reasoning behind the length of non-military service. 39. The United States of America indicated that Finland’s commitment to democracy and the protection of human rights deserves to be commended and emulated. He noticed that according to a Government figure, 75 per cent of discrimination cases involve Roma, followed by Somalis, Russians, Turks, Iraqis and Iranians, and asked what the Government of Finland is doing to prosecute racially motivated crimes. 40. Ecuador congratulated the Finnish delegation on its design of a large number of programmes and policies to reduce physical and sexual violence against women and enable them to improve their standard of living. On indigenous issues, Ecuador would like to know how Finland currently guarantees the right to consultation on collective property for the Sámi people in regard to their lands, and what the specific measures are that have been taken by the Government to bring in force regulations which would protect the rights of Sámi people. Regarding the migration phenomenon, Ecuador would like to know what measures have been taken to become a party to the ICRMW. Ecuador recommended accession. 41. Egypt expressed its appreciation to Finland on its report and noted that many examples could be emulated as best practice. Egypt asked for additional information on the measures taken by Finland regarding the integration of migrants and the protection of their human rights. Having heard the response of the Secretary of State to the questions and recommendations made by other delegations as well on this subject and bearing in mind the urgency to ensure the universality of this important human rights instrument, Egypt joined other delegations which have made recommendations to Finland to consider adhering to the ICRMW. In addition, the delegate of Egypt requested clarification on the reason why the migrant and asylum population is of less diversified composition in terms of their national origin compared to other countries in Europe. 42. Cuba noted that Finland is recognized as having a successful social policy and also a friend to the developing world. Finland is not a perfect country as it also faces challenges. Perhaps the major one is related to the so-called welfare society and how to preserve it against neo-liberal globalization and privatization. Cuba mentioned that official development aid from Finland over the last two years had been 0.4 per cent of GDP. Cuba believed that this is insufficient and well below the internationally agreed target of 0.7 per cent. Cuba asked Finland what plans it has to increase the ODA budget and explained that this issue was related to the right to solidarity and to development. The second question is about the high rate of alcoholism and drug addiction in Finnish society. Cuba would like to know what legislative and other measures Finland is adopting to tackle this problem. 43. Slovenia asked the following questions: Slovenia commended the efforts of the Government of Finland to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to minorities, especially the