A/HRC/13/56 539. Portugal also rejected the recommendation to incorporate representatives of ethnic minorities into the security forces, because the Constitution established the principle of equality as one of the fundamental principles guiding the public administration. This principle was fully applied through a horizontal and legally-binding approach, encompassing the recruitment and classification of law enforcement officers. There was no specific programme for the selection or recruitment of ethnic minority members for the security forces, just as there were no barriers to their entry. All applicants were subject to the defined requirements and criteria, equal for all citizens, in accordance with the general principles of equality and fairness. 540. Portugal stated that the universal periodic review recommendations would be translated into Portuguese and disseminated within its national institutions, in partnership with Parliament and civil society. It would also strive to inform the Council, on an annual basis, on the implementation of the recommendations. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 541. Algeria applauded the fact that Portugal had accepted 71 of a total of 89 recommendations received. It appreciated the acceptance of one of Algeria’s recommendations in favour of taking additional measures in the areas of housing, employment, education and access to social services, for all the segments of society. Algeria was saddened that joining the block position of a group of countries, Portugal had not accepted the recommendation of Algeria and many other countries to adhere to a core human rights instrument, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, although Portugal had long been a country of origin of migrant workers and was well placed to understand the suffering and indignity to which migrants were exposed. It recommended that Portugal should exercise leadership in this regard. 542. The Islamic Republic of Iran appreciated Portugal’s positive approach in accepting most of its recommendations. It sought more elaboration on the reasons that Portugal had provided on the recommendation concerning the development of a national human rights plan in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. It encouraged the Government to continue efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to take a comprehensive set of measures to tackle racism and racial discrimination, and to combat more resolutely all its forms and manifestations. It requested Portugal to elaborate further on its policies and programmes to tackle the problems of ill-treatment and the excessive use of force by the police against immigrants and the Roma. It also sought an update on the measures to improve the condition of prisons and detention centres, including overcrowding, inadequate facilities, health problems and cases of physical and sexual abuse. It encouraged Portugal to update the Council on Government policies to combat trafficking in persons for the purposes of forced labour and sexual exploitation. 543. The United States of America commended Portugal’s continued support for human rights in the country. It expressed satisfaction that all prisoners had access to sanitary installations at all times, and that alternative sentencing programmes had been utilized to avoid imprisonment. It noted that few allegations of prisoner abuse were recognized by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. It looked forward to responses to its previous recommendations regarding implementation of the 2004 guidelines and reforms for the prison system and the Ministry of Labour’s efforts to prevent child labour. 544. Nepal recognized Portugal’s commitment to promote and protect human rights, and congratulated Portugal on its being recognized by the United Nations as the best country in the area for the provision of support services and immigrant’s rights. Nepal noted with appreciation that the existing asylum law enshrined the fundamental rights of immigrants and protected the interests of asylum-seekers. Nepal appreciated the measures taken to curb 160