A/HRC/10/83 Page 10 concretely to rescue victims. Japan noted the treaty bodies’ concern regarding limited independent monitoring of human rights and the General Assembly’s concern at increased restrictions of freedom of expression, including harassment and arrests. Japan urged the Government to take specific and concrete measures to protect freedom of expression and to prohibit censorship in a more effective manner. 47. The United Kingdom recommended that Uzbekistan (a) implement the Committee’s recommendations to ensure that the absolute prohibition of torture is observed, guarantee access of detainees to lawyers and their families, and establish independent mechanisms for complaints and for monitoring conditions in places of detention. It recommended that (b) Uzbekistan ratify the OP-CAT and take the necessary measures at the national level to do so. The United Kingdom called upon Uzbekistan to refrain from the prosecution of those seeking to exercise their freedom of religion or belief and to safeguard personal access to and use and ownership of religious literature and materials. It recommended that (c) Uzbekistan introduce a simpler registration process for religious organizations than currently exists, and that (d) it establish a national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles. 48. Mexico recommended (a) considering extending an open standing invitation to special procedures and allowing the visits requested previously by six special rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Mexico recommended that the Criminal Code be amended to ensure that the definition of torture and the severity of penalties are in full compliance with the Convention. Mexico recommended considering the ratification of the Optional Protocol to CAT and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Mexico asked if a state of emergency is put in place. If so, Mexico recommended that Uzbekistan ensure compliance with article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the general observation number 29 of the Human Rights Committee on state of emergencies. Mexico recommended promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms by applying the measures stipulated in the law to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other threats against the national security, and clarifying in an impartial and independent manner, with the support of the international human rights mechanisms, the events that occurred in Andijan in 2005. 49. Slovakia recommended that Uzbekistan consider the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Noting the importance attached by Uzbekistan to the strengthening of cooperation with the Council and the special procedures, the OHCHR, and other United Nations human rights bodies, Slovakia recommended that Uzbekistan respond positively to the visit request of the seven thematic special procedures. Slovakia recommended that Uzbekistan allow ICRC access to detention facilities in accordance with ICRC standard working procedures also beyond the trial period. Slovakia expressed concern about the reported involvement of school-age children in the harvest of cotton in Uzbekistan, mentioned by the CRC and the CESCR. Slovakia enquired about the planned creation of a Children’s Ombudsman among national priorities, including a timeframe and steps taken so far. 50. Spain raised five questions to be also considered as recommendations. Spain enquired about Uzbekistan’s readiness to continue to make progress regarding the (a) liberation of all human rights defenders who remain in prison and about the situation of Solijon Abdurakhmanov and Agzam Turgunov. It enquired about Uzbekistan’s readiness (b) to eliminate restrictions on the activities of human rights NGOs, and wished to know whether restrictions continue to be imposed on the activities of Human Rights Watch. It enquired about Uzbekistan’s readiness to cooperate in an effective manner with the Special Rapporteur on torture and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression. Spain wished to know the plans of Uzbekistan