A/HRC/12/50 and to analyse the reason for the large presence of such schools in Roma communities. It urged Slovakia to engage in campaigns for the promotion of an effective right to education. 658. The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence stressed Slovakia’s spirit of cooperation and noted Slovakia’s efforts with regard to education, refugees’ rights, the fight against racism, prohibition of torture and cruel and inhuman behaviours, poverty reduction, the fight against human trafficking, the protection of women and children’s rights, and attention to the rights of ethnic minorities. The lack of a fully independent human rights monitoring body at the national level was a highly noticeable problem which could be rectified by removing restrictions and expanding the authority of the current national centre for human rights. It also highlighted how the development and expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, technical support, promotion of public awareness and the adoption of an interactive approach could help reaching a common human rights understanding and common objectives. The Organization hoped that, with the expansion of cooperation in human rights, particularly with civil society and non-governmental organizations, Slovakia could improve further the country’s human rights situation. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 659. The delegation of Slovakia thanked the delegations and non-governmental organizations that had taken the floor and for the positive views expressed. The delegation noted also some critical ideas or dissatisfaction regarding the responses provided by Slovakia and recalled the answers it had provided in its national report, oral statements and written responses. It assured that it would work on all recommendations in the hope that the views would be more positive in four years, when Slovakia undergoes its second review. 660. In addition to the response to Hungary’s recommendation given in May 2009, Slovakia reported on the forthcoming reviews by the Council of Europe, before the end of 2009, regarding the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter. Slovakia would see from these two monitoring exercises if there was any need for further improvement. 661. Regarding the new issue of the amended State Language Act, Slovakia expressed its satisfaction that the matter was becoming part of normal and civilized dialogue between friends and neighbours. Judging from the opinions of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Slovakia was confident that the law was in line with its international obligations. Slovakia would focus on the implementation of the recommendations that both Slovakia and Hungary received from the High Commissioner and Slovakia would, together with Hungary, work on the implementation of the amended law and on the rules of implementation. The delegation stated that, on 25 September 2009, the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on National Minorities had met in Bratislava. It hoped that the final results of this and other meetings expected to be held in the future would be satisfactory to both sides. 662. While thanking for the interest attributed to the human rights situation in Slovakia, the delegation assured that Slovakia considered the universal periodic review a continuing process. Slovakia was at an early stage on the process and would provide sufficient attention to the recommendations. B. General debate on agenda item 6 663. At its 20th meeting, on 25 September 2009, the Council held a general debate on agenda item 6, during which the following made statements: (a) Representatives of States Members of the Council: Bangladesh, France, Italy, Japan, Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States), Republic of Korea, Russian 164