A/HRC/42/2 552. The delegation underlined that the national legal framework already covered most of the noted recommendations and that matters covered by those recommendations will continue to deserve utmost attention, in particular as regards the protection of migrant workers and their families. In this connection, Portugal cannot ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families because, as is the case with other European Union Member States, these matters were no longer within exclusive national competence. 553. The delegation concluded that, over the next four years, Portugal will strive to implement, or proceed with the implementation, of the 231 accepted recommendations. This will contribute to the progress of the human rights situation in the country. Portugal will do so within the framework of the Portuguese National Human Rights Committee and in close collaboration with the civil society. Finally, the delegation pointed out that, within two years, as it was done in the past, Portugal will present an interim follow-up report on the recommendations made in the third universal periodic review cycle. 2. General comments made by the national human rights institution of the State under review 554. Provedor de Justiça stated that it witnessed throughout the last years the dire conditions of many people awaiting, for a long time, the provision of social benefits. That situation particularly affected people vulnerable to the negative impact of the weakness of the health system. Provedor de Justiça felt compelled to raise public awareness about that issue and the Government subsequently implemented a number of measures, the result of which was still uncertain. Provedor de Justiça was also deeply concerned by the prevalence of domestic violence and stressed the need for achieving effective preventive and restorative measures. Finally, as national preventive mechanism, following numerous visits to places of detention, Provedor de Justiça addressed the deficiencies of the penitentiary system, which could be dealt with by the Government urgently. 3. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the outcome of the review 555. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Portugal, 13 delegations made statements.** 556. The Philippines thanked Portugal for accepting the three recommendations it presented in relation to addressing violence against women, discrimination against minorities and vulnerable groups, and to further strengthening the implementation of its National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities. It hoped that Portugal would consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families in the future. It endorsed the adoption of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Portugal. 557. The Russian Federation thanked Portugal for providing information on recommendations received. It noted that most of them were accepted, including those formulated by the Russian Federation, and that Portugal had made significant progress in the field of human rights, especially in the area of preventing and combating human trafficking. The Russian Federation recommended that the Human Rights Council adopt the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Portugal. ** The statements of the delegations that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/42Session/Pages/default.aspx 86