A/HRC/8/46 Page 13 United Nations human rights mechanisms and OHCHR to establish and reinforce their presence in the country in order to guarantee an independent monitoring of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. 57. The Netherlands emphasized that the fight against terrorism has to remain within the boundaries enshrined in the international human rights instruments. The Netherlands welcomed the national plan of action and recommended (a) that the national plan of action provide specific benchmarks within a given timeframe, (b) that it establish the Constitutional Council as foreseen by 17th Amendment to the Constitution as soon as possible, and that this Council be mandated to appoint a number of commissioners to public Commissions, such as the NHRC and the Police Commission. The Netherlands remained concerned at allegations of serious human rights violations and recommended that (c) Sri Lanka agree to the re-establishment of an international human rights monitoring presence in the country. 58. Poland noted that freedom of expression is subjected to restrictions, which seems to give rise to cases of violence and intimidation of representatives of the media. Poland enquired about steps taken to implement the recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee in 2003 and recommended to Sri Lanka undertake effective measures to ensure full realization of the right to freedom of expression by all persons. It enquired about steps taken to combat sexual exploitation of children and child prostitution, especially in coastal resorts. Poland recommended to Sri Lanka to ensure that its domestic legislation is in full compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also recommended to Sri Lanka to ensure a safe environment for human rights defenders and that perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. 59. Turkey noted the achievements made in the political, economic and social development fields and appreciated steps taken on human rights training, gender equality and the empowerment of women’s status. Turkey enquired if Sri Lanka is considering taking the necessary steps to shorten the worrying number of trial proceedings on violence against women and encouraged Sri Lanka to try to respond in a timely manner to questionnaires sent by the special procedures. 60. Japan regretted the IIGEP’s decision to terminate its mission in April. It underlined the importance for Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations made by the IIGEP to establish a workable, effective and permanent system for victims and witness protection, to ensure that all State bodies provide cooperation and the provision of immediate and necessary financial resources to the Commission of Inquiry. Japan noted the existence of fewer cases of kidnappings, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings compared to before and expressed its hope that Sri Lanka would double its efforts to prevent similar cases and to ensure bringing all perpetrators to justice. Japan also attaches importance to Sri Lanka’s efforts to resolve its human rights problems and expected it to enhance its capacity in the areas of crime investigations, the judiciary and NHRC, with the assistance of the international community. 61. Denmark was pleased to hear that Sri Lanka wants to focus attention on improving freedom of the press and enquired about the measures taken to that end. It recommended that (a) Sri Lanka undertake measures to improve safeguards for freedom of the press; it also recommended that (b) Sri Lanka accept the presence of an OHCHR field office. Noting steps taken by Sri Lanka to combat torture, torture is still widely practiced and, referring to 25 recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, enquired what steps will be taken to implement them. Denmark recommended that (c) Sri Lanka immediately implement the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations. It further enquired about the measures Sri Lanka employs to combat caste-based discrimination.