A/HRC/27/3 47. Responding to questions from, inter alia, Malaysia, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Timor-Leste about the gender pay gap, the delegation stated that it had decreased over time, but that on average, women continued to earn 12.7 per cent less than men per hour, primarily owing to the gender divide in the labour market. The Government hoped to further reduce the gender pay gap. 48. In response to recommendations from Italy and New Zealand, the delegation emphasized that the Government would pursue efforts to reduce the use of coercion in the mental health services. The use of coercion was strictly regulated by law and could be used as a last resort only, in order to care for patients with serious mental illness. 49. Responding to recommendations that Norway should accede to ICRMW, the delegation said that Norway had ratified all the International Labour Organization core conventions on workers’ rights, which also applied to residents who were foreign nationals. Norway had, however, decided not to accede to ICRMW. 50. The delegation noted that some States had recommended that Norway should accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, OP-ICESCR and the Optional Protocol to CRPD. The Government was thoroughly investigating the legal implications before making a decision. Two legal studies had been commissioned and circulated for general review and those questions were still under consideration. 51. Norway was currently considering the question of ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPED). 52. In response to questions from Mexico and others concerning hate crime, the delegation underlined the seriousness of such offences and reiterated that hatred towards specific groups was considered an aggravating circumstance by the courts. The Penal Code had been amended in 2013 to extend criminal liability for certain kinds of statements made in public to statements made on the Internet. 53. Poland noted efforts made by Norway to comply with the recommendations of the first review, but acknowledged that, despite many positive developments in the field of human rights, certain challenges remained. 54. Portugal observed that the dropout rate in upper secondary schools in Norway was higher among immigrant students. It requested further information about the Government’s ongoing process to re-establish its national human rights institution. 55. The Russian Federation drew attention to problems relating to freedom of belief. It also noted that, when children were removed from parental care and placed with new families, insufficient attention was paid in some cases to their cultural, linguistic and religious identity. Moreover, foster children had reportedly been subjected to violence. 56. Rwanda noted efforts made by Norway to fulfil its human rights commitments since its last UPR, including improving gender equality and accessibility for persons with disabilities and combating forced marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence. It also commended Norway for its handling of the cases of genocide suspects through prosecution and extradition. 57. Saudi Arabia expressed concern about persistent cases of domestic violence, rape and hate crime targeted at certain ethnic groups and minorities, particularly Muslims. It urged the Government to take vigorous action against hate crimes and to promote the equality of all citizens. 58. Serbia acknowledged positive developments in strengthening human rights in the country. It suggested that Norway step up its efforts to address discrimination of vulnerable groups in the context of its national integration policy. 7