A/HRC/31/12 of legislation addressing equality of treatment had been launched to address remaining questions. 17. While persons in same-sex relationships could have their partnership registered, measures had been taken to identify any remaining differences in the way in which samesex and heterosexual relationships were treated in order to address them. 18. The rights of women and gender equality had been priorities for many years. The Government was committed to achieving further progress in ensuring equal rights for women in all areas of life. It had adopted gender mainstreaming and gender-based budgeting approaches in the federal administration. Despite existing legislation and continuous efforts, the Government had not yet been able to close the pay gap between men and women; a solution to the problem required other measures in addition to the legislative ones. 19. The delegation explained that the disputes on the use of bilingual topographical signs and of Slovenian as an official language in Carinthian municipalities had been settled, as a consensus had been reached between politicians and organizations staffed by members of the Slovenian ethnic group. 20. The delegation stated that human rights were taught as part of history and citizenship education classes, as well as in general education and vocational training courses. Human rights education had been also incorporated in the training of teachers, including teachers at the university level. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 21. During the interactive dialogue, 98 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 22. The Sudan commended the adoption of new laws and policies in the area of the rights of the child and of gender equality in the labour market. 23. Sweden commended the measures taken to meet the unprecedented increase in migration, but observed the need for improvements regarding the situation of asylum seekers. 24. Switzerland noted with satisfaction that measures had been taken to implement the recommendations accepted by Austria during the first cycle of the universal periodic review. 25. Tajikistan noted measures taken by Austria to strengthen its human rights institutions and cooperate and maintain a dialogue with all stakeholders to promote and protect human rights. 26. Thailand noted with appreciation the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It expressed concern about discrimination against women in the labour market and incidents of xenophobic violence and racial discrimination. 27. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia inquired about measures to address the rate of Roma children and children belonging to other ethnic groups dropping out from school and to improve the large number of anti-discrimination institutions. 28. Timor-Leste welcomed legal and policy measures taken to protect the rights of children and older people, combat human trafficking and designate a national preventive mechanism. 5