A/HRC/15/6 or sexual orientation, in order to address concerns that that legislation might have adverse effects in terms of limiting individuals’ right to apply for asylum. 63. Israel stated that Spain, through its bid for membership in the Human Rights Council, would lend a positive and moral voice to the Council. It indicated that the national measures were welcome developments in the realization of human rights on the ground. Israel made recommendations. 64. Austria welcomed Spain’s efforts to combat gender-based violence, but expressed concern about the high number of acts of violence against women. It asked about measures taken to counter the worsening perception of immigration and to ensure access to basic services for migrants. It also asked how Spain was seeking to address concerns about delayed access to a lawyer for persons in detention and about the length of pre-trial detention. Austria made recommendations. 65. Turkey indicated that it regarded the Human Rights Plan adopted by Spain in 2008 as the most tangible demonstration of the will to enhance human rights. It hoped that the measures introduced in relation to gender-based violence and the trafficking in women would yield successful results. Turkey requested information about Spain’s efforts with regard to regulating migration and migrant’s rights. It made a recommendation. 66. Slovenia stated that the Human Rights Committee had called for Spain to provide information concerning its national mechanism for the prevention of torture, the length of pre-trial detention and the expulsion of foreigners, and asked whether Spain intended to follow up on those issues. Slovenia also asked about plans to limit or eliminate incommunicado detention, as recommended by several international mechanisms. Slovenia made recommendations. 67. Paraguay welcomed Spain’s cooperation with international monitoring bodies in the European and United Nations systems. It also stated that the Human Rights Plan 2008-2012 had provided for the establishment of a commission to follow up the Plan and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993. It emphasized that any internal immigration policy needed to specifically consider the rights of migrants. Paraguay made a recommendation. 68. Hungary was concerned by the fact that the needs of women in rural areas were not being fully met and that they were exposed to a gender pay gap, as well as by the increasing violence, including domestic violence, committed against them. It expressed concern at the situation of Roma women and children. Hungary indicated that reports had revealed shortcomings in Spain’s protection against torture. Hungary made recommendations. 69. Belgium saluted the efforts of Spain aimed at the abolition of the death penalty. It expressed concern over the situation in centres for the protection of minors with behavioural problems and in difficult social situations. It congratulated Spain on having adopted its first Human Rights Plan in December 2008, which included a national strategy for combating racism and xenophobia. Belgium made recommendations. 70. Bulgaria congratulated Spain on the active role it played at the international level in combating racism and xenophobia. It welcomed Spain’s strategies for the development of the Roma population and asked about the main challenges in implementing those strategies. Bulgaria made a recommendation. 71. Portugal acknowledged Spain’s commitment to human rights, as shown in its efforts related to the Alliance of Civilizations, its large financial contribution to OHCHR and its efforts to achieve the abolition of the death penalty. Portugal asked how international cooperation to combat human trafficking was being implemented; about measures adopted to ensure that cases of child mistreatment and abuse were properly reported; and about the assessment of the National Plan on Human Rights. Portugal made recommendations. 10