A/HRC/8/45 Page 5 12. According to the representative of Ukraine, violence against women and children was a global challenge that needed joint action from the international community. The Government of Ukraine identified three area of work: Changing social attitudes, changing legislation and creation of a comprehensive system of assistance to victims. A number of measures were taken: the prohibition of scenes of violence in mass media; broad assistance campaigns, creation of crisis centres, networks for the medical and social reintegration of victims, and preventive programmes available in all regions of the country. The prevention of violence against children and minors was seen as a major factor to obtain a lasting improvement of the situation. Training courses in schools, with the assistance of NGOs, could increase awareness and help in the development of a new culture. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 13. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, statements were made by 26 delegations. Several of them commended Ukraine on the quality of the national report and participation of civil society organizations during its preparation, as well as on achievements and efforts undertaken to improve the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. 14. Poland commended Ukraine on steps undertaken by the Government concerning the protection of national minorities, and combating racism and xenophobia. Regarding the equal status of women, Poland welcomed the enactment of the law ‘On Maintaining Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men’ and the State Programme for Confirming Gender Equality in Ukrainian Society to 2010. Poland invited Ukraine to provide more details on the Community Council, responsible for the protection of human rights, Human Rights Monitoring Departments, as well as mobile groups for monitoring constitutional rights and freedoms. 15. Algeria noted that employment legislation remains as a complex problem in the labour market and asked what Ukraine could do to address this issue. It noted that the Human Rights Committee and other treaty bodies commended on the measures taken by Ukraine to combat trafficking of women by creating legislation to prosecute and punish offenders. It thus recommended to Ukraine to persevere in punishing offenders of women’s rights. Algeria noted the establishment in 2006 of a Council for State Policies and the advancement of rights and freedoms, including of national minorities and Ukraine’s legal mechanisms for preventing manifestations of discrimination and prejudicial treatment based on national or ethnic identity. It recommended to Ukraine to continue its efforts to improve legislation and policies and to create institutional mechanisms to combat all forms of discrimination. Algeria also encouraged Ukraine to follow through on creating an advisory council to address discrimination, to adopt comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation, as recommended by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) in 2007, and to continue to direct attention to enhance human rights training for police officers and more effective ways of dealing with hate crimes. 16. Azerbaijan highlighted that Ukraine is a party to almost all core human rights treaties and that it has issued a standing invitation to special procedures mandate holders. It also welcomed the establishment of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (UPCHR) and noted Ukraine’s initiatives to protect the rights of women and children as well as the establishment of the Community Council. Azerbaijan asked how the Government plans to tackle the high unemployment rate, a concern also expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and CESCR, and how it views the recommendations made by CESCR on amending the Criminal Code by including relevant provisions on racially motivated crimes. Azerbaijan also enquired about future initiatives aimed at raising human rights awareness among the population and whether Ukraine considers becoming a party to the International Convention on