A/HRC/24/9 41. Slovakia noted significant resources dedicated to human rights nationally and internationally and welcomed accession to the third protocol to CRC. The German Institute for Human Rights had been awarded “A” status under the Paris Principles. Slovakia made recommendations. 42. Slovenia welcomed ratification of international instruments, the withdrawal of reservations to CRC, and strengthened attention to human rights education. It commended Germany for the attention paid to the gender pay gap, but noted that women were often expected to choose between career and family. Slovenia made one recommendation. 43. South Africa noted the German vision for human rights and the priority given to meeting international human rights obligations. Despite progress in the prevention of racially motivated offences, it remained an area of concern. It made one recommendation. 44. Spain noted human rights work at home and abroad, particularly joint action on rights to water and sanitation. It expressed concern that civil servants were obliged to report migrants with an irregular status to immigration authorities. Spain made recommendations. 45. Sri Lanka noted human rights legislation and ratification of international conventions. It encouraged efforts to reduce obstacles to housing, health and education for immigrants and minority communities, and noted continuing discourse on the gender pay gap. It made recommendations. 46. Sweden noted continued challenges to gender equality, despite progress. A comprehensive strategy on racial discrimination was lacking and it asked about measures to inform victims of discrimination of their rights and provide effective legal remedies. Sweden made one recommendation. 47. The Commissioner stated that racism and prejudices were still present in some parts of German society. Actions undertaken by the Federal Government concerning xenophobia, racism and anti-Semitism followed a broad approach in order to reach all levels of society and to fight all forms of this scourge. Germany put great emphasis on the support of citizens’ involvement and the creation of civil society networks in the implementation of the “National Action Plan to Fight Racism, Xenophobia and anti-Semitism”. The National Action Plan was handed over to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2009 in pursuance of the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action of 2001. 48. The Commissioner stated that 90 per cent of all racially motivated violence was committed by those with a politically right-wing background. A repressive strategy was applied when combating criminal acts within a xenophobe, racist or anti-Semite context, including criminal prosecution, and the prohibition of associations. Racial profiling was prohibited by law. 49. The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation for the immense contribution made by migrants and foreign workers to the economic and social development of Germany. Germany had worked continuously to improve the educational opportunities for children from migrant families. The number of foreign students acquiring a higher education entrance qualification increased by 36 per cent between 2005 and 2010. Also, the National Action Plan for Integration from 2012 contained concrete measures and actions regarding the issue of integration: among others, measures to raise professional qualification, to strengthen counselling opportunities for migrants, to enhance professional expertise and the improvement of language skills. In order to enhance access to the labour market, the action plan “Diversity as a Chance” was brought into being to create a work environment free of negative stereotyping. The recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad still needed improvement. Furthermore, school attendance had become compulsory in almost all federal states for children whose deportation had been temporarily suspended or involved in 7