A/HRC/8/47 Page 15 of immigrant origin to employment and recommended that France take effective measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against immigrant women in accessing basic social services. 57. Australia welcomed the priority given by France to the investigation and prevention of marital violence. It recalled the concern expressed by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women regarding the lack of a body tasked with documenting violence against women, especially homicides resulting from domestic violence. Australia asked for more information about efforts to combat violence against women, including domestic violence. 58. Responding to questions raised with regard to combating trafficking of women, the representative of France noted that it is linked to the issue of prostitution, which is punished. Since the adoption of the law in 2003, prison sentences range from seven years to life, and fines from 45,000 to 2.5 million euros. This law also provides for witness protection programmes granting anonymity, mandatory State-funded medical and social protections and accommodations for victims, and has been effective in reducing offences related to prostitution and dismantling a number of trafficking networks. France clarified its migration policy, which aims at controlling immigration and favours the integration of immigrants. France wants to organize legal migration with the objective of increasing economic migration from 7 per cent to 50 per cent. This is to be done through the Contrat d’accueil et d’intégration, which includes a day training on civic information, language training, information on living in France, and, if necessary, social support measures which are accessible to all applicants. Over 100,000 contracts were granted in 2007 and this implies partnerships with “sending” countries and “opening of France’s professions as broadly as possible.” Already six partnership contracts were signed with sending countries. Regarding shortcomings in the “Arche de Zoé” case, France noted that the case is being prosecuted in France. Regarding the use of tazers by the police, France stated that they are non-lethal, and only used against violent, dangerous individuals. Officers are given special training on use of this weapon, particularly based on the principle of proportionality: tazers should never be used for torture, as it has been alleged, but exclusively for defence and neutralizing a person if necessary. This weapon introduces better proportionality, as it mitigates between the use of a truncheon and a firearm. With regard to urban policies for difficult neighbourhoods, they are indeed insufficient and have produced unsatisfactory results despite enormous efforts. Millions of euros have been spent to renovate sensitive neighbourhoods, participation among cities is widespread and 100,000 public housing units are built each year. The situation on the ground is sensitive, and attention must be paid to each individual’s situation. Regarding major illegal immigration in overseas French territories, France noted that in Mayotte 30 to 35 per cent of the local population is of immigrant origin, most of whom are staying illegally. 50 percent of France’s expulsions take place in overseas territories. This is explained by the attraction of the better and higher standard of living and social protection offered in French overseas territories compared to neighbouring countries. France realizes that deplorable conditions exist in Mayotte, regarding housing conditions and and in detention centres, and is allocating 18 million euros to housing reconstruction projects in Mayotte. The access to health facilities and counsel remains the same throughout the French territories. 59. Regarding the Haute autorité de lutte contre les discriminations et pour l’égalité (HALDE) established in 2005, France noted its independence and the major role it has played in society. Praising its effectiveness, the representative of France noted that the HALDE can bring cases to courts. France noted that judges do not receive trainings on racism, racial discrimination and religious issues. Regarding prison conditions, France noted that the situation is an anomaly, but that France is currently correcting the situation. In that context the Head of Delegation compared France’s detention statistics (95 per 100,000) to that of other neighbouring countries (140 per 100,000) France is therefore on the lower edge of the European average regarding the number of