A/HRC/38/15 37. The Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, Mariam Kabaha, stressed the importance of the labour market as a vehicle for social change. She gave an outline of the domestic laws outlawing employment discrimination, and of the Commission’s authority to file lawsuits on behalf of employees discriminated against, to submit amicus briefs to the courts on employment issues, and to sponsor public service campaigns to raise awareness. 38. Discussing recent achievements in court, and questions raised by Madagascar, Poland, France and Germany, the Commissioner noted a successful lawsuit regarding gender discrimination, and the filing of an amicus brief in connection with a racial discrimination case. She outlined the Commission’s various initiatives, including the creation of a “diversity index” to identify wage gaps among the various groups in Israeli society in order to guide related government policies, in addressing those discrepancies; the Equal Pay: Equalizing Wages in Israel’s Workforce campaign, and the development of a gender wage gap calculator; joint initiatives with the Government Companies Authority to advance equal opportunity and diversity in government companies, and plans to launch similar programmes for other sectors; and Equal Employment Opportunities Commission campaigns for the integration of underrepresented populations in the labour market. 39. The Russian Federation highlighted violations of international and human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the construction of illegal settlements. 40. Rwanda encouraged Israel to enhance efforts to address patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes through the strengthened implementation of relevant laws and policies. 41. Sierra Leone encouraged Israel to strengthen efforts to promote equal treatment for all those living in its territories. 42. Singapore commended the achievements of Israel in promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. 43. Slovakia noted the efforts by Israel to fight racial discrimination, including the launching of a public education campaign. 44. Slovenia was concerned about reports of ill-treatment of Palestinian minors over the age of 12 in Israeli prisons and detention. 45. South Africa stated that Israel was the only State in the world that could be called an apartheid state. It was deeply concerned at the denial of the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people and expressed the view that the issue of East Jerusalem and the twoState solution were fundamental to the exercise of that right. 46. Israel made a point of order. It requested that delegates adhere to appropriate language of the United Nations and focus on human rights rather than politicizing the issues. 47. The President of the Human Rights Council recalled that the universal periodic review was a mechanism aimed at discussing the human rights situation of all States Members of the United Nations in a spirit of cooperation. In that context, it was appropriate for Member States to voice their opinions in their statements. Likewise, the State under review was entitled to express its views. He appealed to all speakers to refrain from politicizing human rights matters. 48. Spain welcomed efforts by Israel in the area of persons with disabilities. 49. Qatar stated that Israel had not seriously responded to the majority of the universal periodic review recommendations made in previous cycles. 50. Sweden acknowledged the continued work of Israel to fulfil its human rights obligations. 51. Switzerland remained concerned about reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 52. The Syrian Arab Republic reiterated its demands that Israel as an occupying power: end immediately the Israeli occupation of Arab occupied territories and end immediately the colonial settlements and the policies and actions related to it, as they are considered 5