A/HRC/12/7 Page 9 in decision-making processes. Finland recommended that Malta (b) carefully consider implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on women’s reproductive health and rights, asking about steps taken in this regard. 46. Algeria asked about measures taken with regard to the concerns of treaty bodies relating to discrimination against women, economic, social and cultural rights and the rights of the child, and the fact that treaty provisions had not been incorporated in domestic law, asking Malta to take all necessary measures to ensure that they are. Asking about the existence of follow-up mechanisms for specific human rights issues, Algeria recommended that Malta (a) study the possibility of establishing a national human rights institution to be accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights. Noting that since 2002, Malta had witnessed an influx of clandestine migrants from Africa, Algeria requested clarification on contributions that Malta might make to international and regional efforts to combat the root causes of such migration. Encouraging Malta to take a closer interest in the approach developed in the Common African Position on Migration and Development adopted by the African Union in 2006, Algeria recommended (b) that Malta consider acceding to ICRMW. 47. France, noting the importance of the issue of asylum seekers and refugees coming to Malta and the European Union, stated that a concerted response was required. France asked about plans to further strengthen existing legal arrangements against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, particularly in employment, health and education. It also sought clarification on the definition of the crime of rape in Maltese law as an attack against the peace and honour of families and against morality. France recommended (a) ratifying the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW-OP) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (CRC-OP-SC); (b) providing for arrangements for same-sex couples to enjoy some of the rights and obligations enjoyed by non same-sex couples; (c) ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and improving the integration of persons with disabilities in the education system. 48. Azerbaijan noted that, because of its geographical location, Malta faces a large number of illegal migrants and asylum seekers. Congratulating Maltese efforts to handle illegal migration, Azerbaijan called upon all relevant actors to increase their assistance to Malta. Noting the lack of mention of measures taken by Maltese authorities to combat human trafficking, Azerbaijan requested additional information on this and on measures to prevent child labour. Citing the concern expressed by the Committee of the Rights of the Child regarding the low age of criminal responsibility – nine years – of children, it recommended (a) considering raising it and (b) paying more attention to solving the issue of under-representation of women, which subsists in many fields of society, including decision-making. 49. The Netherlands, noting the large number of migrant arrivals in Malta, said international cooperation was required. Welcoming Malta’s cooperativeness with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, it expressed concern about the increasingly restrictive reception and legal procedures for migrants. It recommended (a) strengthening efforts to make the Maltese legal system for asylum-seekers effectively accessible, preventing delays and administrative obstacles and guaranteeing to asylum seekers the necessary procedural safeguards in detention according to international standards. While welcoming efforts to combat discrimination, including on sexual orientation grounds, it noted reports of continued discrimination in this regard, as well as NGO reports on the denial of legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. The