A/HRC/8/40 Page 10 36. The Philippines expressed appreciation for efforts to adopt a human rights based approach regarding the treatment of migrants and their families and encouraged ratification of ICRMW in a timely manner. It also asked about measures to promote understanding and respect for migrants within society, including undocumented migrants, and whether the media could play a significant role in this respect. 37. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the stance of the President of the Republic of Korea on human rights in inter-Korean relations and urged the Republic of Korea to play a still stronger role in the international protection of human rights. It encouraged the Republic of Korea to continue public and official awareness of human rights in order to ensure a fully inclusive society regardless of disability, gender and sexual orientation or national origin. The United Kingdom, while noting responses already provided by the State, joined other delegations in recommending the introduction and ratification of legislation to abolish the death penalty in the forthcoming term of the National Assembly. It asked information on the implementation of the Penal Code adopted in 2007, and hoped that the code would be fully and transparently implemented during the investigative process. It also enquired about any possible steps taken to reform the National Security Act. It recommended that this Act be brought in line with international standards regarding clarity of criminal law, and that active steps be taken to introduce alternatives to military services for conscientious objectors. It asked whether the Government is considering reviewing its position with regard to its reservation to article 22 of ICCPR and recommended the withdrawal of this reservation within a specific time frame. Finally, it recommended to the Republic of Korea to ratify the Optional Protocol to CAT and enquired when this might be likely. 38. Luxembourg noted that the death penalty may still be imposed for a series of crimes and offences in the Republic of Korea, noted that some 60 prisoners remain on death row and that in 2007 two death sentences were pronounced. Luxembourg recommended that the Government and the Permanent Commission on Law and Justice of the National Assembly comply with the obligations of United Nations reference texts and immediately work toward finalizing the legislative procedure underway with a view to the abolition in law of the death penalty. It further enquired about specific measures the Government intends to take to move forward in this debate at the level of public opinion and the National Assembly and about the foreseen timetable for the adoption of the law on the abolition of the death penalty. 39. Egypt asked for more information on the widespread societal discrimination against children with disabilities, a concern raised by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2003, and measures taken or envisaged in order to combat this phenomenon. It asked whether the Republic of Korea recognizes the ICRMW as a core human rights treaty and recommended that the Republic of Korea accede to that Convention. 40. Bangladesh noted that discrimination against foreign workers is strictly prohibited pursuant to the Act on Foreign Workers’ Employment. However, in practice, there have been allegations of persistent discriminatory treatment, of abuse in the workplace, and of lack of adequate protection and redress for foreign workers. Bangladesh urged the Republic of Korea to make further efforts to implement existing legislative measures for the protection of migrant workers. It requested that the Government deal with the issue of irregular migration in a humane manner, consider regularizing migrant workers or at the minimum guarantee their fundamental human rights. Concerning female migrant workers entering the country with “entertainment” visas and being lured into the sex industry, Bangladesh asked whether the Republic of Korea envisaged reviewing the issuance of this category of visa.