A/HRC/18/3 48. Mexico commended efforts made to protect human rights in the country. It particularly noted budgetary measures adopted to speed up the justice system, to promote the participation of women in the public life, and the full cooperation with special procedures. It also noted that some challenges still existed, in particular in the fields of nondiscrimination and inclusion of minorities. Mexico made recommendations. 49. Pakistan noted that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concerns in 2008 that Belgium had not adopted any legislation to implement Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Pakistan wished to know how it intended to check activities of these racist organizations that might be detrimental to the efforts to build a tolerant society. Pakistan made recommendations. 50. The United States of America commended Belgium for proposing measures to combat employment discrimination but mentioned reported discrimination against members of ethnic minorities and de facto discrimination against migrant workers, members of the Muslim community and Roma. It expressed concern over conditions in prisons and detention facilities. The United States made recommendations. 51. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its concerns over a number of human rights issues, including the increase in Islamophobic remarks; multiple discrimination faced by Muslim girls resulting from the ban of headscarves in schools; de facto discrimination against certain foreigners and persons belonging to ethnic and national minorities; the high number of child abuse cases; ill-treatment of detainees by prison staff, prison overcrowding, and the lack of adequate prison healthcare. The Islamic Republic of Iran made recommendations. 52. Australia noted the challenges faced by Belgium, including prison overcrowding and excessive use of force by the police. It welcomed the action plan to combat human trafficking and commended the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2009. Australia also welcomed efforts to combat racism and to promote gender equality. It encouraged Belgium to establish a national human rights commission. Australia made recommendations. 53. Argentina congratulated Belgium for measures that were being implemented to improve the situation of minorities as well as other measures on human rights issues. It made a recommendation. 54. The Netherlands noted that gender equality was an issue and expressed its interest in the quotas established in 2002. It expressed concerns over the slow judiciary system and regional discrepancies in the way justice was administered and noted the measures which had been introduced in this respect. It echoed concerns of the Committee on the Rights of the Child over trade in war material in regions where children took part in hostilities. The Netherlands made recommendations. 55. Norway commended Belgium for its efforts in children’s rights, combating of racism, gender equality, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and for incorporating human rights in the Constitution. Although Belgium reacted swiftly during the asylum crisis this winter and improved the situation of asylum-seekers living on the streets, Norway had concerns over Belgium’s lack of structural capacity in receiving asylum seekers. Norway made recommendations. 56. Spain asked whether Belgium had the intention to follow up on and avoid as much as possible measures that impose obligations concerning language as a condition to accede to social benefits related to housing. It also inquired if Belgium had the intention to elaborate an action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights. Spain made recommendations. 8 GE.11-14583