A/HRC/27/3 74. Ukraine noted the establishment of an interministerial coordination group to strengthen the implementation of recommendations accepted by Norway and improve its reporting to the human rights treaty bodies. 75. The United Kingdom urged Norway to intensify its efforts to ensure that emergency shelters and social housing units met an adequate standard, especially for families with children, and to strengthen strategies to prevent discrimination against migrant Roma and provide for their basic needs. 76. The United States of America was concerned that preventive measures had not reduced the incidence of domestic violence and rape, and concerned at the high level of acquittals, lenient sentences and the legal definition of rape, which required the use or threat of force. It was also concerned at the treatment of asylum seekers and stateless persons, especially minors. 77. Uruguay encouraged Norway to complete the process of ratification of OP-ICESCR and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. 78. Uzbekistan noted concerns about discrimination against immigrants, particularly in the labour market, education, health care and housing, and expressions of racial hatred and intolerance, especially against the Sami people, as well as high rates of violence against women and of human trafficking. 79. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) expressed concern about the persistence of crimes motivated by prejudice and incitement to hatred against specific minority groups, such as the Roma. 80. Viet Nam noted that the strengthened legal framework in Norway better ensured gender equality and improved living standards for indigenous peoples and minorities. Norway participated in education, training and international cooperation in the field of human rights and was committed to the protection of vulnerable groups. 81. Albania said that Norwegian citizens benefited from the highest standards of democracy and freedom. Norway had developed human rights standards in respect of gender equality, the rights of persons with disabilities and those of minorities. 82. In response to questions from Liechtenstein and Spain and recommendations from the United States on asylum and immigration, the Norwegian delegation stated that the Government would continue to fulfil its international obligations in the areas of migration and asylum policies. 83. The Government maintained that the asylum system was a key tool in providing protection to those who were genuinely in need, and that it must not be abused. Asylum status was granted on the basis of individual processing and a thorough assessment of each application. 84. Responding to issues raised by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Moldova and Nicaragua concerning trafficking in human beings, the delegation described, inter alia, the 2010 action plan on measures to fight all forms of human trafficking, steps to provide safe housing and appropriate follow-up of victims and provisions in the Immigration Act strengthening the protection of victims. The question of establishing a national referral mechanism to better identify and assist victims of trafficking was being assessed. 85. Responding to questions from India, the Russian Federation and Turkey, the delegation said that the purpose of the Child Welfare Act was to protect children. A care order was relevant only if the child’s situation was serious and could not be alleviated through the application of voluntary assistance measures. The underlying principle of the 9