A/HRC/18/4 68. Danish legislation ensures comprehensive protection against discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnic origin. However, legislation cannot stand alone. Denmark therefore supports several initiatives carried out by authorities and civil society. 69. The delegation of the Government of Greenland responded to questions on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, which has been approved by the Parliament of Greenland, but awaited the necessary adaptation of Greenland legislation. 70. The Government of Greenland actively promotes equal representation of men and women in public office. The issue of domestic violence is dealt with in a holistic manner and linked with many of the Government’s initiatives. The Government of Greenland is preparing a strategy on children and youth which will be presented to Parliament in 2011. 71. The Parliament of Greenland has passed broad-based legislation concerning gender equality, which is regularly reviewed. Equal representation of men and women on boards and committees is strongly emphasized with respect to publicly owned companies and institutions. Fair and equal wages are ensured through collective agreements in the public and private sector. 72. Mexico recognized Denmark’s efforts to advance human rights promotion and protection, including prevention of ethnic discrimination and violence against women. It noted Denmark’s efforts at the international level, including on torture, and highlighted its cooperation with special procedures. It also noted remaining challenges, particularly on non-discrimination and the inclusion of ethnic minorities. Mexico made recommendations. 73. Pakistan noted the legislative and institutional measures promoting and protecting human rights. Pakistan remarked on efforts to integrate foreigners and migrants into society and acknowledged that social integration is a complicated process. Regarding the 2005 newspaper publication of cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad, it noted that this shocked Muslims worldwide, prompted forceful reactions, stirred a pointless debate and violated Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Pakistan requested information on measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents. It made recommendations. 74. The United States of America commended Denmark for its commitment to upholding human rights and its increased efforts to place human rights at the forefront of its national agenda. It shared concerns over religious and ethnic discrimination, domestic violence against women, residency and citizenship requirements for migrants and asylumseekers, and human trafficking. It made recommendations. 75. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed concern at possible inadequacies in the Danish legal system to combat age discrimination outside employment; the possible abolishment of article 266(b) of the Criminal Code; Islamophobia; discrimination against women in the Faroe Islands; lack of ratification by Greenland and the Faroe Islands of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, as well as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; gender-based violence and the narrow definition of rape; and the broad definition of terrorism in the Criminal Code. It made recommendations. 76. Belgium welcomed Denmark’s efforts to ensure gender equality and combat discrimination against women. Noting the low number of reported rapes leading to convictions, it asked about envisaged measures, including the adoption of a national action plan. Belgium made recommendations. 10