A/HRC/8/30 Page 10 28. Canada noted that in 2004, the Human Rights Committee recommended that discrimination based on sexual orientation be specifically prohibited in Polish law and appropriate training be provided to law enforcement and judicial officials in order to sensitize them to the rights of sexual minorities. Canada commended the Government on the measures already taken and outlined in the presentation, in particular the draft act on equal treatment, the system of human rights advisers, and related research and training, and recommended that steps continue to be taken to follow up on these recommendations. It noted that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders has expressed concern about the reported harassment of groups campaigning for equality and against discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation. Canada thus recommended that Poland ensure that human rights defenders are allowed to carry out their work in a secure environment, and that the rights to freedom of expression and association are respected. On the issue of domestic violence, Canada indicated that CEDAW expressed concerns about the remaining gaps in the 2005 Law on Combating Domestic Violence. CEDAW and the Human Rights Committee recommended that law enforcement officers be properly trained and that appropriate measures be taken to address domestic violence. In 2007, CEDAW further recommended that Poland conduct awareness-raising campaigns to combat violence against women and undertake research on the root causes of such violence. Canada noted with interest that Poland’s national report indicates steps to combat violence against women, inter alia, the inauguration of the National Programme against Domestic Violence in 2006 and public campaigns to raise awareness of this issue. Canada commended the Government on the measures already taken, and recommended that steps continue to be taken to follow up on these recommendations. 29. Malaysia commended Poland for undertaking various policy measures in several areas of human rights in the country. These measures mirror the high commitment of the Government in improving the promotion and protection of human rights of its population. Malaysia noted the numerous programmes which reflect a multifaceted approach taken in fighting against domestic violence. Such programmes can be a good example of best practices that could be shared with other countries. In this spirit Malaysia expressed its willingness to learn about the successes and challenges encountered so far in the implementation of the National Programme against Domestic Violence. 30. The Russian Federation, having studied all the background information, recommended that a national programme to combat overcrowding in prisons be developed in order to bring Polish places of detention into line with international standards. The Russian Federation also recommended that Poland publish the results of the study carried out by the Government in order to detect on Polish territory any secret detention centres for foreign citizens accused of terrorist activities. The Russian Federation also recommended that Poland ensure that adequate measures provided for in the law on lustration comply with Polish obligations under fundamental international human rights instruments. 31. Cuba noted that the Polish national report sets forth a description of the human rights situation in the country, reflects the difficulties and progresses faced by Poland and explains various programmes and measures implemented to tackle the problems faced by the Government. Cuba noted that Poland is a party to ICERD and that it did not make any reservation against article 4 of the Convention. In this context, Cuba asked what measures Poland has taken in order to comply with its obligations under ICERD and in particular with article 4 which prohibits all organizations’ activities which promote or incite racial hatred or racial discrimination. Cuba also asked what measures have been taken by Poland to promote the participation of women in the public and political life of the country. In reference to the Council of Europe’s report on the alleged use of the Polish territory by the CIA for secret flights for extraordinary renditions of terrorist suspects, Cuba