A/HRC/12/50 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. It welcomed the creation of a national strategy for gender equality (2009–2013) and the measures taken to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, in particular the progressive integration of women in higher ranking and decision-making positions, as recommended by Algeria. It welcomed Slovakia’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and its commitment to increase the volume of official development assistance to least developed countries. 654. The Russian Federation believed that Slovakia’s review was in conformity with the requirements contained in General Assembly resolution 60/251 and in Council resolution 5/1. It noted that the positive result was achieved thanks to the serious approach of the Slovak delegation at all phases of the process, and that Slovakia had agreed without reservation to most recommendations. It wished Slovakia further progress in the protection and promotion of human rights and the utmost success in the implementation of the commitments made during the universal periodic review process. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 655. Amnesty International was concerned that large numbers of Roma children were placed unnecessarily in special schools and classes for children with mental disabilities, which severely reduced future education and employment opportunities. It regretted the rejection by Slovakia of recommendations 75 and 76, and urged it to reconsider them without delay. It noted that several States had raised concerns about reported cases of forced sterilization of Roma women without their prior and informed consent. It remained concerned at the continued failure of the authorities to carry out impartial and effective investigations in this regard. The authorities’ denial of cases of forced sterilizations in public hospitals was worrying in the light of reports of a series of halted prosecutions into cases of alleged forced sterilizations. Amnesty International regretted Slovakia’s rejection of recommendations 67 to 69 and urged the Government to reconsider them. 656. The International Gay and Lesbian Association of Europe, on behalf of Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie von Homoseksualiteit – COC Netherlands and other associations, welcomed Slovakia’s acceptance of recommendation 14 to formulate and implement a national plan of action for the protection of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, as well as the confirmation that the national plan of Action for the prevention of all sorts of discrimination was a comprehensive document pertaining also to the above-mentioned rights. It urged Slovakia to ensure the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds of discrimination in human rights legislation; to develop comprehensive legislation regulating gender reassignment procedures; to take legislative measures ensuring that same-sex couples enjoyed equal rights and obligations as opposite-sex couples; and to use the Yogyakarta Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity as a guide to policymaking and the national plan of action. It commended Slovakia for supporting the joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity delivered at the General Assembly in December 2008, on behalf of 67 States from all five United Nations regions. 657. Franciscans International emphasized that any assessment of the social and economic status of the Roma population must be preceded by an accurate reflection of their situation, and encouraged Slovakia to consider data-gathering as a priority in its plans of action. It stressed that the State’s housing policy, focusing on the provision of economic instruments, should ensure that the Roma’s particular cultural and social contexts were taken into account. It stated that Slovakia must ensure effective participation of the Roma in decision-making processes on education and health related-matters and to identify why Roma children who were not in need of special education were enrolled in such schools, 163