A/HRC/10/79 Page 9 31. Japan noted that the Constitution was amended in September 2008 to promote human rights and expressed the expectation that constitutional norms will be implemented on the ground. Japan noted that, according to the compilation and the stakeholders’ report, ethnic Turkmen are treated favourably in areas such as access to higher education and public sector employment. It requested an explanation on this issue. Furthermore, Japan stressed that an urgent task for Turkmenistan is to introduce legislation to promote and protect the rights of women, and enquired about the Government’s perspective on this issue. Japan also requested information on measures taken to fully guarantee access to information. 32. Slovakia stated that the national report confirms that the Government has made an important decision to carry out significant reforms in all spheres. Referring to the contents of reports of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, Slovakia recommended that the Government respond positively to visits requested by special procedures and that it accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In order to verify reports about the treatment of detainees, their whereabouts and conditions in prisons, Slovakia recommended that the Government grant the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international monitors access to detainees. 33. The Republic of Korea was pleased the Government elaborated, in close cooperation with OHCHR, the European Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a joint programme on strengthening national capacity on promotion and protection of human rights for 2008 - 2011, and that it is also working on its national human rights programme with OHCHR. It encouraged the Government to remain committed and sincerely work to achieve tangible progress in human rights. It expected that the Government would continue its efforts to fully comply with the responsibilities and obligations of treaties to which it is a party, including addressing any overdue reports to treaty bodies. It also hoped that the visit of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief marks a beginning of cooperation with special procedures. Noting concerns expressed by treaty bodies, such as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the State’s policy of “Turkmenization”, policies of forced assimilation and discriminatory attitudes and practices towards national and ethnic minorities, it enquired about measures taken to address them. 34. Belgium welcomed the recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and invited the Government to consider acceding to other international instruments. Belgium expressed concern about the numerous difficulties faced by religious communities and asked which measures would be taken by Turkmenistan to meet its obligations with regard to freedom of religion and belief. Belgium recommended that Turkmenistan eliminate all impediments to freedom of religion and belief at both the juridical and administrative levels and put an end to the intimidation of members of religious communities. 35. Denmark commended the fact that torture is prohibited but was concerned by credible reports of ongoing torture and mistreatment of detainees in prisons and the failure to investigate into allegations. Denmark enquired about initiatives to be taken to ensure reliable investigation of deaths in custody, including that of Ogulsapar Muradova, who died in custody in 2006; and when the Government intends to adhere to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. Noting that both the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have suggested that the Government issue an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on torture, Denmark enquired about when the Government expected to do so. Denmark expressed concern about serious discrimination against ethnic and other minorities, including that religious