A/HRC/18/2 to ensure that search and arrest zones were not established on the basis of racial, ethnic or religious considerations, which could be assimilated to racial, ethnic or religious profiling. Algeria appreciated Denmark’s decision not to abrogate article 266 (b) of the Criminal Code guaranteeing that racial hate and hate speech did not remain unpunished. It took note of the decision not to accept the recommendation to adhere to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. If Denmark aligned itself with recommendation No. 1737 of 17 March 2006 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Algeria would encourage Denmark to ensure that migrants can claim their fundamental rights. 266. The Islamic Republic of Iran thanked Denmark for its report. Fortunately, a number of the recommendations provided by different delegations during the session of the Working Group, including Iran, hoped that a number of recommendations examined by the Government would be implemented by Denmark. The Islamic Republic of Iran remained concerned over a number of human rights violations in the country, especially with regard to the lack of respect for other religions, the prevalence of hate speech, incitement to hatred and the defamation of Islamic religious symbols and personalities, and Islamophobia, the forcible return of asylum seekers to third countries, where they may face the danger of persecution or serious harm, and the lack of laws protecting women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It called upon the Government to continue its efforts to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, in particular in the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and to incorporate international human rights instruments to which Denmark is a party into the legal system, as well as to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 267. Romania acknowledged the high level of respect for human rights upheld by Denmark, and expressed its appreciation for the open and transparent way in which the country approached the universal periodic review. Denmark had prepared for its review in close cooperation with civil society and with the involvement of the authorities in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Romania commended the openness of the Danish delegation in answering the issues raised during the interactive dialogue, showing the readiness of the authorities to tackle outstanding issues and to implement the recommendations accepted. Romania was looking forward to seeing progress in the implementation of the recommendations relating to, in particular, combating discrimination against women and the protection of victims of domestic violence. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 268. The Danish Institute for Human Rights acknowledged Denmark’s dedication to the universal periodic review process, but regretted that it had accepted only 82 of the 133 recommendations made, focusing on matters that Denmark considered already addressed. It encouraged Denmark to reconsider its position with regard to a systematic approach to the promotion and protection of human rights, including a national plan of action; the ratification of core conventions, incorporating them into Danish law and accepting individual complaint mechanisms under international law; setting up strong and independent institutions, including an ombudsperson for children; adequate funding for national institutions, including in Greenland and the Faroe Islands; and specifying how accepted recommendations would be implemented. The institute would strive to ensure that the questions and recommendations from the Human Rights Council would be included in further dialogues in Denmark. 269. The Islamic Human Rights Commission highlighted the continuous discrimination towards Muslim citizens in Denmark. Muslims had been removed from boarding flights and held by police for reading books on Islam. The Commission stated that the European GE.12-17756 117

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