A/HRC/8/30 Page 9 25. Japan welcomed the very extensive presentation and the detailed explanations given in the national report, both of which clearly identify constructive steps taken by the Polish Government, particularly in the last decade, in a wide range of areas such as the eradication of racial discrimination, judiciary reforms, the fight against domestic violence and human rights education. Concerns, however, seem to remain, as the other reports indicate, about prison overcrowding, persisting racial discrimination cases purported to target Asian and African children in educational institutions, delays in court proceedings and resulting prolonged detention. On the other hand, immense efforts which the Polish Government has been making to upgrade human rights education appear remarkable. Japan asked Poland to elaborate on these developments and challenges and believes that it will continue to tackle those issues squarely. 26. Pakistan noted the comprehensive approach adopted for the preparation of the national report and details of constitutional mechanisms provided for promotion and protection of human rights. Pakistan highlighted some of the important indicators expressing Polish commitments, which include: the system of civil rights ombudsman, which provides an important functional element in the judicial system with lesser bureaucratic hurdles; acceptability of individual complaints mechanism under United Nations and European systems; active cooperation with an involvement of civil society in its planning and execution phases; updating of legislation and policies and the introduction of a number of action plans to address specific issues of concern in the field of human rights; and the extensive human rights training and education plan, which not only involve Government officials but also address the issue at grass-roots level by including it in the curricula of primary and secondary schools. Pakistan sought further information on efforts to deal with some of the outstanding concerns of treaty bodies, which relate to continuing discrimination against women and gender equality, curbing the scourges of xenophobia, racism and racial discrimination, and in particular actions taken in line with article 4 of ICERD to prohibit hate speech as well as the treatment of some of the ethnic and migrant minorities. 27. Slovenia commended the hard work and impressive developments in the country in all areas. While noting the significant progress achieved, Slovenia asked the following questions and recommended further efforts and sustained measures: What has the State done so far to ensure a gender perspective in the UPR in its consultations and national report? What steps and concrete actions are envisaged to ensure that gender perspective is fully integrated in the next stages of review, including the outcome of the review? Slovenia recommended to systematically and continuously integrate a gender perspective in the follow-up process to the review. With respect to the draft law on equal treatment, Slovenia noted that it does not include gender orientation grounds. Slovenia therefore recommended to Poland to adopt an anti-discrimination law that would ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Slovenia also urged Poland to implement the recommendations issued by the Human Rights Committee and the CAT to put in place legislative measures to sanction manifestations of repeated hate speech and intolerance. Slovenia also enquired about the status of the legislative proposal aimed at “punishing anyone who promotes homosexuality or any other deviance of a sexual nature in education establishment”. If it has not yet been withdrawn, Slovenia recommended to do so. Slovenia also recommended reinstituting the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for the Equality of Men and Women or a similar governmental structure to serve as an effective mechanism at the highest possible political level for the promotion of gender equality and to coordinate the integration of gender perspective across all sectors. Slovenia also noted that Poland came 56th in the 2007 Reporters Without Borders worldwide press freedom index, mainly due to its refusal to amend laws about press offences. Noting that since freedom of expression is one of the most important principles of democracy, Slovenia enquired about the concrete steps undertaken by the Government of Poland to harmonize this part of its legislation with international norms. Slovenia also recommended to Poland that laws on press offences be liberalized.