A/HRC/8/49 Page 13 Human Rights (ICC) in March 2007 and asked whether there are any plans to develop the institution to comply fully with the Paris Principles. While acknowledging efforts in combating trafficking, it noted with concern reports of continuing incidents of trafficking in persons, especially women and children. It sought further information as to how Romania is seeking to address this issue. 51. Jordan indicated that Romania has in place an adequate normative framework and appropriate institutional infrastructure to ensure the adequate promotion and protection of human rights. It noted however that Romania has pointed out that some gaps still exist, a transparency that is very assuring. Jordan asked Romania to elaborate more on the causes of this situation and the remedies that are being envisaged in this regard. 52. Ukraine welcomed the fulfilment of the voluntary pledges and commitments made by Romania as well as activities aimed at implementing the recommendation of the treaty bodies. It highlighted its efforts aimed at combating trafficking in human beings, and encouraged Romania to continue to improve the protection and assistance to victims, as well as to raise public awareness of the risks of trafficking. Noting the extensive legal and policy framework developed for the promotion of equality between women and men and the elimination of discrimination against women, it was concerned that women themselves might not be aware of their rights or lack the capacity to claim them. It asked Romania to elaborate more on efforts aimed at raising individual and public awareness and understanding of human rights. 53. Egypt commended on the leadership Romania is showing in steering the presidency of the Human Rights Council as another testimony of its commitment to the cause of human rights. Based on the information contained in the national report and in the stakeholders’ report, it sought further information on the status of minorities in Romania and the efforts made to address their claims. 54. The delegation of Romania responded to questions put to it. With respect to issues raised on trafficking of persons, it recalled that a comprehensive system was developed and is currently in place. With regard to the legal framework, all relevant international instruments have been ratified and translated into domestic law. At the institutional level, Romania has specialized units at the level of police and boarder police, a network of prosecutors and the Directorate of Organized Crime and Terrorism. At the operational level, Romania has in place a national strategy for the period 2006-2010 and a first National Action Plan has been already implemented. Discussions are under way for a new National Action Plan for 2008-2010. A national database has also been established in order to respond rapidly to the need of victims and there are approved standards on the assistance to victims. The National Agency against Trafficking in Persons also provides grants to NGOs to assist victims. Awareness and prevention campaigns which target children and women have also been developed. With the support of the US Department of State and the Embassy of the United States in Bucharest, Romania has developed a victim-witness coordination programme. Some trends have also been identified, indicating a decrease in the total number of victims of trafficking, a decrease in the number of victims trafficked for forced labour, and a decrease in the number of women trafficked for sexual exploitation. 55. With regard to questions on efforts to address the issue of discrimination, it indicated that the aim of the national strategy is to prevent and combat discrimination and to develop an inclusive and inter-cultural society. This strategy is based on five main objectives oriented towards the groups more frequently affected by discrimination in different forms, which includes age, sex, religion, HIV infection, sexual orientation and disability. Romania cooperates with NGOs in all phases of the strategy, including in the planning, revision, implementation and monitoring phases, and vulnerable groups also participate in its implementation. The Roma minority is highly