A/HRC/19/18 the area of human trafficking and the invitation it extended to the Special Rapporteur on human trafficking. It made recommendations. 30. Poland expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the Republic of Moldova in strengthening the human rights protection system. Poland welcomed Moldova‟s recent ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Poland took account of positive developments, noted problems and stressed the need for further advancement in the promotion and protection of human rights. Poland made recommendations. 31. Norway referred to reports that journalists still faced a difficult situation and that freedom of expression was still not fully in place and self-censorship was common. Norway noted that trafficking in human beings was reported to be higher in the Republic of Moldova than other places in Europe. Norway referred to the reported documentation of violence and even torture of prisoners in Moldovan jails, to the reportedly high level of domestic violence against women and to women earning only three-quarters of men‟s wages for the same work. Norway made recommendations. 32. Australia commended the Republic of Moldova for the efforts to increase public awareness of domestic violence and the instructions given to public and law enforcement officials on addressing this problem, but expressed concern that the legal remedies for domestic violence were limited to fines and brief detentions. It welcomed the improvement in prison conditions the reduction of time of pretrial detentions and stated that prisons and pretrial facilities fell short of international standards. Australia urged the Republic of Moldova to encourage respect for people of all sexual orientations. It made recommendations. 33. Greece noted the Republic of Moldova‟s cooperation with treaty body and special procedures. Greece welcomed the efforts by the Government to promote gender equality and asked about any further measures intended to combat higher levels of unemployment of women and lower paid jobs filled by women. Greece welcomed the establishment of the Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child and asked how Moldova intended to address its lack of adequate funding in the current financial crisis. Greece made recommendations. 34. Italy stated that it would continue to support the ongoing process of reform in the Republic of Moldova and the strengthening of its relations with the European Union. Italy noted that domestic violence against women was a serious problem. The lack of proper facilities hampered access to education for children with disabilities, leading to their limited participation in social life. Italy welcomed Moldova‟s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its strategy for social inclusion for 2010-2013. Italy made recommendations. 35. Germany expressed concern about the allegations of torture and ill-treatment in police custody. During post-election demonstrations in April 2009, law enforcement officers reacted with excessive force with acts of violence and ill-treatment of about 300 arrested persons and three unresolved deaths, which resulted in only a handful of prosecutions. While commending the Republic of Moldova for its judicial reforms, Germany stated that there remained widespread corruption among judges, prosecutors and police officers. Media organizations that denounced this corruption were intimidated and silenced by disproportionately high fines. Germany made recommendations. 36. Turkey welcomed the Republic of Moldova‟s zero-tolerance regarding torture and encouraged the more effective implementation and strengthening of related legislation. Turkey noted the link between the two countries through the Gagaouz community. Turkey stressed that the problem of Transnistria region should not erode the existing autonomous status of Gagauzia. Turkey encouraged the Republic of Moldova to pay special attention to the development of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of “Gagauz-Yeri” as well as its language and heritage. Turkey made a recommendation. 7