A/HRC/8/25 Page 9 a careful eye on this issue, noting that it sees no evidence that the law is not working to protect children, that there should be reasonable scope for parents to discipline, and that as surveys show that smacking has already declined it sees no current need to amend the law. 26. Japan noted the reference in a report that a NGO suggested that the United Kingdom ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and asked what concerns United Kingdom had for not doing so. It noted the reported limitations the United Kingdom places on the applicability of human rights instruments as concerns its armed forces operating abroad, and asked for clarifications in this regard. It commended the United Kingdom on ratifying the Optional Protocol to CAT in 2003, and asked for further background information on the restricted applicability to United Kingdom’s overseas territories. It also referred to one of the reports which noted that authorities denied access for detainees to lawyers for up to 48 hours, and asked under how broad discretion this is done and on what grounds and conditions. 27. Ghana noted the domestic measures highlighted in the State report, including the Human Rights Act, the duty to inform Parliament about the compatibility of bills with the Convention rights imposed on Government Ministers when introducing new legislation. It agreed with the assertion in the State report that development and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. In this regard, it encouraged the United Kingdom to continue to support partnerships with other Governments which strengthen the commitment to and promotion of human rights. It recommended that the United Kingdom continue to review counter-terrorism legislation to ensure that human rights are respected. 28. Sudan noted the responses provided, and asked whether the United Kingdom had conducted investigations on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by armed forces overseas, and the outcome of any such completed investigations. It referred to a category of foreigners resident in the United Kingdom referred to as “non-domiciles”, who are required to permanently hold newly issued identification documents or else face deportation, and asked how the United Kingdom considers these measures in light of international standards on the rights of migrants. Furthermore, it noted physical pressure practiced in prisons in the United Kingdom, which was considered torture outside the country, and which is difficult to prove as it leaves no clear physical signs, and asked for further information on this issue. 29. France noted the issue of corporal punishment, and recommended that the United Kingdom consider going beyond current legislation and ban this also in private sector and in its Overseas Territories. With regard to reducing poverty among children in half by 2010, France recommended and encouraged further information on such steps. Furthermore, France recommended that the United Kingdom reflect upon and consider setting a date for signing the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 30. The Netherlands welcomed the responses provided to its written questions concerning the Counter-Terrorism Bill, the consideration of a Bill on Human Rights and Responsibilities and on a verdict of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the safe and human treatment of deported persons. It welcomed the United Kingdom’s inclusion of sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination in human rights legislation, and its plans to introduce legal protection from incitement to hatred on this ground. It also commended United Kingdom on its recent decision not to deport a young gay person to a country which maintains the death penalty for homosexuality, and hoped the United Kingdom would continue to follow the Yogyakarta Principles in future cases. The Netherlands recommended that the United Kingdom keep the Human Rights Council informed about counter-terrorism legislation and the safeguards to protect human rights.