A/HRC/23/3 60. Switzerland shared the concerns of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment regarding allegations of the excessive use of force by police during arrests. Regarding the issue of trafficking in persons, it emphasized the importance of clear, comprehensive and enforceable legal standards. Switzerland made recommendations. 61. Thailand noted the commitment of France to fighting discrimination and xenophobia, and welcomed plans to address racism, anti-Semitism and the exclusion of Roma. It remained concerned by reports of discrimination in accessing public services on the grounds of race, ethnic origin or religion. Thailand made recommendations. 62. Timor-Leste recognized the ratification of several human rights treaties and commended the measures and plans to combat racism and xenophobia and enhance gender equality, and looked forward to their implementation. Timor-Leste made a recommendation. 63. Togo expressed concern over discriminatory political discourse and encouraged France to take action against the increasing number of racially motivated incidents against persons of the Maghreb and Black African origin. Conditions of detention and high rates of prison suicide were serious concerns. Togo made a recommendation. 64. Trinidad and Tobago noted France’s historic association with human rights, its contribution to the work of OHCHR and its ratification of key human rights instruments. Trinidad and Tobago made recommendations. 65. Tunisia noted the ratification of international instruments concerning persons with disabilities, torture and enforced disappearance, as well as the establishment of structures, including the Defender of Rights, and the national plan of action to combat racism. It commended the commitment of France to official development assistance. Tunisia made recommendations. 66. Turkey welcomed the establishment of the Defender of Rights and the introduction of the “question prioritaire de constitutionnalité” (priority preliminary ruling on the issue of constitutionality). It noted that a policy contradicting the right to free expression had been invalidated by the Constitutional Council on 28 February 2012, and encouraged France to combat racist and Islamophobic attacks. Turkey made recommendations. 67. Ukraine recognized the strong commitment of France to the protection and promotion of human rights, and welcomed efforts to ensure a more coherent approach to fighting discrimination on the grounds of origin. Ukraine made recommendations. 68. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland asked about measures to improve gender equality, in particular to improve recourse to justice for victims of sex crimes and to address the low level of domestic violence reporting. It asked about measures to improve anti-discrimination legislation. The United Kingdom made recommendations. 69. The United States of America remained concerned about the prohibition on wearing religious symbols in schools and wearing garments covering the face in public. It was concerned by overcrowding and poor hygiene in prisons, and evictions of and social intolerance towards Roma. The United States made recommendations. 70. Uruguay commended the ratification of CPED, CRPD, the Optional Protocol to CRPD (OP-CRPD) and OP-CAT. It welcomed the establishment of the Ministry of Women’s Rights, the adaptation of legislation in accordance with the Rome Statute and the introduction of a national plan to combat racism and anti-Semitism. Uruguay made recommendations. 71. On the subject of combating racism and anti-Semitism, the head of the French delegation stressed that the authorities had shown increased vigilance and had made GE.13-12484 9