A/HRC/8/47 Page 11 38. Bangladesh encouraged France to pay greater attention to the concerns expressed by several treaty bodies on the persistence of discriminatory practices, the situation of immigrant women, the conditions in detention centres, the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers, and the behaviour of law enforcement agents in dealing with immigrants and minorities. Highlighting that France is home to one of the largest immigrant communities, Bangladesh stated that France visibly chooses assimilation over integration in engaging immigrants in society, which has negatively affected the social values and cultural life of some communities. For example, the prohibition of the Hijab in schools did not promote religious freedom, cultural diversity or improve the relationship between Muslims with other communities but rather instilled religious intolerance and racial hatred. Bangladesh recommended that the Government review the law which prohibits the wearing of clothing denoting religious affiliation in schools. While appreciating the measures already taken to deal with the increase of trafficking in persons, Bangladesh highlighted that full success depends on a concerted effort of all three levels, source, transit and destination, and that the issue of demand at the destination, particularly regarding exploitation of women and girls in the sex industry in France, must be addressed. 39. Mauritania welcomed the appointment in 2007 of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights and of the Haut-commissaire aux solidarités actives. Mauritania asked for more information on the two framework conventions signed on 14 December 2007 to strengthen the campaign against discrimination. 40. Indonesia requested more information on measures taken regarding the improvement of detention facilities and conditions for asylum-seekers, as well as to address the biased treatment of immigrants, especially women seeking family reunification. Indonesia enquired about steps taken in respect of the recommendations of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe that France step up its efforts to combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia and that it enforce existing legislation more effectively to punish the perpetrators of such acts. With reference to the Islamic Human Rights Commission, according to which out of 220,000 cases of discrimination which occurred in France in 2006, only 43 were prosecuted, Indonesia asked about progress made in this regard and recommended that the Government finalize all outstanding cases of discrimination that have occurred since 2006. Citing Amnesty International, Indonesia stated that there have been cases of torture, ill-treatment and excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, which, together with the discretionary powers of the prosecution, have resulted in many ineffective prosecutions. It stated that the setting up of an independent commission is recommendable in order to monitor and identify cases of torture and ill-treatment perpetrated by law enforcement officials. Indonesia also referred to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, according to which in France corporal punishment is still lawful in the home, and to reports of cases of violence against women, and enquired about plans to improve the legislation. 41. Sweden noted the poor conditions in places of detention, including overcrowding and illtreatment, according to independent reports, recognized efforts made by France to improve them and asked whether additional measures are taken to reduce the time frame for such a process. If not, Sweden recommended that such measures be considered. 42. Concerning minorities, France stressed the gap that exists between law and reality, i.e. how the society reacts and how the members of the minorities feel as regards discrimination. The law in France does not recognize minorities per se; what the law recognizes are the individual rights of the members of the minority groups. It protects individuals belonging to minority groups as other persons, prohibits any discrimination, and punishes any infringement to their rights, in the most vigorous manner. In addition, France has put in place policies targeting special areas where there is