A/HRC/16/6 31. Germany requested, further to concerns expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 2010, information about measures taken to ensure equal pay for equal work and the abolition of pregnancy tests as a requirement for access to employment. Referring to the discrimination faced by indigenous children, it also asked about the plans to preserve bilingual and cultural education for indigenous children. Germany inquired how Panama had followed up on the concerns expressed by the Human Rights Committee in 2008 regarding abusive treatment of prisoners by law enforcement officers in prison and at the time of arrest. Germany made recommendations. 32. Hungary welcomed the inclusive approach taken by the Government in preparing the report. It welcomed the “A” status accreditation of the Defensoría del Pueblo (Ombudsman). It expressed concerns about the absence of a procedure for filing and investigating complaints of discrimination against women and the lack of appropriate sanctions for confirmed cases, which remained the greatest challenge to the effective implementation of the Equal Opportunities Act. Hungary noted the efforts undertaken to combat discrimination against vulnerable groups and asked about the need for technical assistance in protecting the rights of women, children, Afro-Panamanians and indigenous persons. Hungary made recommendations. 33. China commended Panama for its good cooperation with OHCHR and other international human rights mechanisms. It welcomed the efforts made by Panama to improve the health of the population, promote employment, ensure compulsory education, eliminate domestic violence, prevent discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients, eliminate discrimination against women, protect the rights of the disabled, promote food security and prevent deforestation. It encouraged the country to take further measures to consolidate those policies. China stated that the human rights of indigenous peoples needed to be further guaranteed. It supported Panama in continuing to address poverty among indigenous peoples, ensure their right to education and protect their traditional culture. 34. Slovakia commended Panama for the accreditation of its Ombudsman’s Office with “A” status by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. It welcomed the ongoing construction of a new, large prison facility designed to promote prisoners’ re-socialization, as well as recent steps to increase access to health care for inmates. However, Slovakia noted the concern of treaty bodies about the persistence of the abusive treatment of prisoners, the persistence of traditional stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and the large extent of trafficking in women and girls, as well as the low number of perpetrators facing prosecution. Slovakia made recommendations. 35. Brazil underlined recent developments in Panama, such as the reform of the Criminal Code, including measures to protect women, particularly regarding domestic violence, and the adoption of laws to combat racial discrimination. Brazil asked about the policies carried out to combat poverty and social inequalities. It inquired about measures taken to guarantee the rights of children and women, particularly in the fight against discrimination, violence, trafficking and sexual exploitation. Brazil asked about the policies and the legal framework regarding the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples and people of African descent. It made recommendations. 36. Norway noted that Panama had ratified most treaties on human rights. However, it shared the concern of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women about femicide and gender-based violence in the country. It also expressed concern over reports of the excessive use of force by the national police during the national strike in Changuinola in the province of Bocas del Toro in July 2010. Norway was pleased by the recent decriminalization of homosexual relations in the Penal Code of 2008. It made recommendations. 7