A/HRC/16/9 74. Concerning the empowerment of women in society in general, the delegation of Bulgaria responded that men and women had an equal right to participate in society, and that special provisions in the Protection against Discrimination Act provided for all legal entities, including private companies, to undertake positive measures to increase the participation of that sex which was less represented in the work environment. At present, there was a 13 to 14 per cent gap in terms of what men and women were paid on average. The Government had examined why this difference existed. It seemed to be due to the structure of staffing and positions occupied, rather than to the existence of policies giving men and women different salaries. Furthermore, an agreement had been signed between the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Commission on Protection against Discrimination to take joint action to reduce or eliminate differences in pay between men and women. 75. With respect to refugees and asylum seekers, Bulgaria responded that since 2002, there had been a separate law and a Government agency ensuring the full implementation of protection measures under international law. The Minister provided relevant statistics. 76. Regarding domestic violence, Bulgaria responded that since 2005, the Domestic Violence Act had provided a clear definition, specific actions and measures to protect victims, and that in 2009 the necessary amendments had been made to the Penal Code. The Ministry of the Interior had issued guidelines on how to take action to protect women and children in cases of domestic violence, information leaflets had been distributed, and a National Coordinator in the Ministry of the Interior had been appointed. In August 2009, a national 24-hour hotline had been set up so that all victims could receive information and legal or psychological support. Currently, there were three shelters and five crisis centres, managed on a partnership basis by municipalities, non-governmental organizations and Government agencies, and they were doing excellent work. 77. Concerning the implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, Bulgaria responded that the Ministry of Justice was responsible for their application and the harmonization of national legislation. For that purpose, a special mechanism had been created within the Ministry for analysing and distributing the case law of the European Court among the members of the judiciary and formulating proposals for legislative amendments, if needed. In addition, there was nationwide training for judges of the courts of first instance to inform them of the decisions and practice of the European Court of Human Rights. The delegation also stated that there were increasing numbers of cases before the courts of first instance quoting the European Convention on Human Rights. 78. In relation to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the case of OMO Ilinden PIRIN, it was reiterated that Bulgaria was in full compliance with that judgement and that no obligation to automatically register any political entity arose fromthat decision. Any registration of political entities had to be carried out in accordance with the relevant national legislation. It was also stated that ethnic identification was a matter of personal choice. The Bulgarian Constitution provided for equal rights for all Bulgarian citizens, notwithstanding their religious or ethnic background. 79. In concluding, the delegation of Bulgaria thanked all participants for the questions asked and recommendations made, and stated that he would ask his team to look closely at the recommendations that could be taken on board. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 80. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue and listed below will be examined by Bulgaria, which will provide responses in due course, but 13