A/HRC/23/3 92. Canada requested an update on measures taken to prevent and end racism perpetrated by law enforcement officers and other public officials. It was concerned about reports of increasing anti-Semitic and Islamophobic acts. Discrimination in employment against Muslims, especially veiled women, was worrying. Canada made recommendations. 93. Chad commended France on its efforts to implement the recommendations made following the consideration of its report submitted under the UPR in 2008 and to put in place a number of structures with a view to ensuring human rights. Chad made recommendations. 94. Chile welcomed progress made by France at the regulatory and structural level in the protection of human rights. It commended in particular the establishment of the Ministry of Women’s Rights and the ratification of the CPED. Chile made recommendations. 95. China praised the efforts made by France to protect human rights, especially the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It expressed concern, however, at the prominence of racism, xenophobia and discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslim women. China made recommendations. 96. The Congo welcomed the creation of the post of Defender of Rights and the Ministry of Women’s Rights, as well as efforts to combat discrimination and racism and address minority issues, although further measures were encouraged. It urged France to take steps to reduce prison overcrowding and improve detention conditions. 97. The head of the French delegation said that much criticism focused on identity checks and the negative feelings they aroused in the population, despite the fact that they were indispensable. The checks could not be based on any physical characteristic or distinctive sign unless initiated on the basis of a specific description. The practice of racial profiling would be counter to the republican principles of equality. Checks had to be based exclusively on objective criteria without any element of discrimination. Steps had been taken to improve the relationship between the public and the police in the context of identity checks, specifically by ensuring that officers involved in a check were identifiable, with a clearly visible badge number, and with the development of a new code of ethics. 98. Meanwhile, the 8,000 unaccompanied foreign juveniles and young adults were a particularly vulnerable group and must be protected. The juveniles were exempt from the requirement to produce a residence permit, could not be subjected to forced expulsion to their country of origin and had access to all general services and infrastructure, notably the education system. They could be held in a waiting zone at the border only for the time that was strictly necessary to review their situation, and they enjoyed all legal safeguards. If it was found that they would be exposed to risk if they were returned to their country of origin, they were allowed to enter the country and were placed in the care of a specialized child protection centre. An interministerial working group on unaccompanied foreign juveniles had been set up to look at the situation in France and draw up appropriate protective measures. 99. Immigration was still a good thing for France. To be beneficial to the migrants themselves, it needed to be regulated and organized. The Government was committed to introducing a new and responsible immigration policy, based on clear, fair and stable rules. It combined firmness in the fight against illegal immigration and clandestine immigration networks with a more secure situation for legal immigrants. Transparency and objectivity were keystones in the Government’s action. Fair procedures would be introduced, dialogue with human rights associations and institutions encouraged and coordination with local authorities strengthened. The Government had put particular effort into making residence permits more easily available to highly qualified students who wanted to stay in France, by repealing the circular of 31 May 2011 on foreign students. 12 GE.13-12484