A/HRC/8/30 Page 11 noted that Poland has not yet replied to the two communications sent by the European Commission requesting clarification on these allegations. In this context, Cuba asked Poland to elaborate on these allegations and asked whether it has undertaken any investigation on the possible participation of the Polish authorities in the programme of extraordinary renditions and secret detention centres. Cuba suggested, as a recommendation, that Poland continue to promote the participation of women in the public and political life of the country until they have gradually achieved a level of gender equality. 32. Following the discussion, the delegation of Poland responded to most of the questions raised during the interactive dialogue. On the issue of secret detentions and prisons, the delegation recalled that all the reports on the subject were not substantiated and were of purely speculative character. However given the seriousness of these allegations, the competent authorities acted immediately in order to investigate the matter. The outcome of these inquiries were presented in an official statement released on 10 November 2005, in which it was unequivocally stated that the Polish Government strongly denies the speculations occasionally appearing in the media as to the existence of secret prisons on the territory of Poland supposedly used for the detention of foreigners suspected of terrorism. The Polish Parliament reiterated the same position in 2006 in a letter to the Council of Europe whereby it was re-stated that these allegations were groundless in respect to Poland. On the question raised by Australia on the Office of the Ombudsman, the delegation indicated that it was noted as a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. With respect to the question put by Turkey, the delegation of Poland indicated that in February 2008 the Ministry of Justice launched the ratification of the ICCPR-OP2 and stressed that inter-ministerial consultations were currently under way. 33. On the draft act on equal treatment, the delegation indicated that it will complement the regulations already in force and will comprehensively regulate issues of equal treatment of persons, without regard to sex, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, political views, disability, age or sexual orientation and marital or family status. On the action taken in favour of groups discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation, a part of the research commissioned in 2007, as mentioned in the presentation, Poland used budget funds and EU funds to finance activities informing about diversity and collaborated with groups representing rights of sexual minorities, such as “Campaign Against Homophobia” and “Lambda”. A working group on discrimination based on sexual orientation was also established which can submit opinions and recommendations to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy. 34. On the issue of violence against children, the delegation of Poland indicated that in 2005 a law was enacted to fight against violence within family, which also contains provisions addressed to the offenders in order to prevent similar acts of violence from occurring in the future. For the effective implementation and enforcement of the law, it was indicated that in 2006 the National Programme for Fighting against Domestic Violence was adopted, which is assessed annually. Institutional measures have been taken to provide assistance to victims of violence; in particular, 33 specialized centres were created to provide legal, medical, psychological and social assistance, with the aim to prepare victims to resume their normal life. In addition, , Poland has also crisis centres, shelters and orientation services and homes for mothers and children at the local level. The delegation also indicated that a follow-up programme for children from birth to the age of 18 is being prepared, the aim of which will be to detect as early as possible any deficiencies in children’s upbringing and education, including cases of violence, in order to prevent an exacerbation of the situation. 35. On the question of poverty, the delegation indicated that despite all efforts poverty remains an ongoing problem and that a national strategy was set up in 2004 as well as a number activities for