A/HRC/15/60 the letter and the spirit of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Charter of the United Nations and the recommendations of treaty bodies. The League called on Sweden to reconsider its trade policies, in particular the sale of arms and equipment, so as to comply with its international obligations. 491. In a joint statement, the European Region of the Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) and Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit (COC Nederland) commended Sweden in particular for accepting recommendations 95.45, 95.87 and 96.9 relating to the protection of all persons against discrimination based on sexual orientation. ILGA-Europe and COC Nederland noted that the new Discrimination Act was a positive development, however, they remained concerned about the existing sterilization requirement for transgender people in order to have their gender changed in their passport. They called upon Sweden to adopt legislation in order to change this situation. They also recommended that it extend the promotion of equality of rights and opportunities in relation to sexual orientation or gender identity to legislation, policies and practices concerning people who seek asylum based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. 492. The Indian Council for South America, also on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples and Nations Coalition and the International Council for Human Rights, commended Sweden for accepting the recommendations calling for the recognition and implementation of the rights of the Sámi people. It recalled the importance of the right to self-determination and stressed that it was up to the Sámi people to decide whether or not they would like Sweden to adopt the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) or to apply it. It also commended States for calling on Sweden to recognize Sámi land and territory rights, but added that consent and full consultation by Sámi people was required. It reiterated its support for the recommendations relating to granting women high-level positions at important levels of decision-making. It called upon Sweden to take the recommendations regarding combating discrimination against migrants and other peoples in Sweden seriously. 493. The Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims, also on behalf of the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, expressed its deep concern about the increase of racially motivated crimes and racist propaganda, as well as about the situation of unaccompanied migrant children and the lengthy holding of such children in custodial centres. It urged the Government of Sweden to pay more attention to Islamophobia, hatred towards Muslims and incitement to hatred against Islam and Muslims, including through newspaper articles and caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed published by certain media. It also called on Sweden to intensify its efforts to punish and prevent discrimination based on ethnic grounds in all areas of life, in particular in cases affecting children and women belonging to ethnic minorities, refugees and members of migrant families. 494. The World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace reiterated the importance of the universal periodic review for the human rights of the Sámi people. It highlighted the fact that the Sámi were looking forward to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the legal clarification regarding the consequences of the ratification of ILO Convention No. 169, and the Sámi Convention to establish a Nordic framework for freedoms and equality. The Sámi believed that a national human rights institution would also be an important development to realize their rights. The Association was eager to see the implementation of South Africa’s recommendation on the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights of the Sámi and their access to land and cultural life. It attached importance to the respect of fair trial guarantees in land cases, as highlighted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Human Rights Committee. GE.11-17043 157