A/HRC/42/2 22 August 2019. Thus, Norway has ratified eight out of the nine core international human rights instruments, and most of their optional protocols. 358. In 2002, the authorities had decided not to become party to the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. In August 2019, the Government has upheld this decision. Norway has ratified the core conventions of the International Labour Organization concerning the rights of workers. 359. In 2016, the Government presented a white paper on the individual communications mechanisms under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Government concluded that it would not propose acceptance of the three mechanisms owing to uncertainty of consequences of their ratification. In January 2017, a broad majority in Parliament supported the Government’s decision. 360. The delegation informed the Human Rights Council about the Government’s commitment to ensure that national candidates for United Nations treaty bodies are qualified and independent. The Government would further consider a recommendation to adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting those candidates. 361. The delegation noted that 25 recommendations concerned immigration and asylum policy. The Government has accepted 15 of those recommendations, and partially accepted six of them. The Government has been pursuing a restrictive, responsible and fair immigration policy and has given a special attention to vulnerable groups of migrants and asylum seekers. A key aim of the integration policy has been to ensure that immigrants find employment or have access to education and take part in society. The most important integration measures have been ensuring access to education, Norwegian language training and other courses to give immigrants basic qualifications to take part in society. The employment rate for immigrants in Norway has been relatively high, compared to other countries. The Government has been carefully assessing all asylum applications and granted asylum to those in need of international protection. 362. In recent years, the Government has implemented various measures to ensure adequate care for unaccompanied minors in reception centres, such as increasing the number of professional care workers. Reception centres have an obligation to report any suspected mistreatment or crime against a child to the child welfare services. 363. The delegation stated that 21 recommendations have concerned the equality and rights of minorities and indigenous peoples. The Government has accepted 19 of those recommendations. 364. The delegation stated that the measures taken to combat discrimination have also addressed discrimination against Sami people and minorities. The consultation procedures between the central government and the Sámediggi (Sami Parliament) has constituted an important framework to ensure that Sami people participate in processes affecting them. The Sámediggi and other relevant Sami interest groups have the right to be consulted if new activities are being considered in Sami areas. The Sami people have a right to access to natural resources in Sami areas. There are statutory limitations on the types of activities that could be undertaken in Sami areas in order to safeguard rights of persons belonging to Sami people to develop their culture and way of life. The Government has been considering recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to improve the legal framework for Sami land, fishing and reindeer rights. 365. The Government has aimed at ensuring that national minorities play an active part in efforts to preserve and develop their language and culture. Greater awareness about national minorities and their culture could reduce discrimination, stereotypes and negative attitudes. The authorities support national minority organisations and initiatives that give greater 62