A/HRC/10/78 Page 13 protection enacted in Serbia since 2002 was impressive, Slovakia recommended that Serbia educate its public through awareness-raising campaigns of existing legislative and institutional mechanisms for the protection of human rights. Slovakia also recommended that Serbia continue its efforts to pass the anti-discrimination law as soon as possible and implement it. 42. Hungary noted with satisfaction the numerous steps taken to improve the situation of the Roma and expressed interest in learning more about the achievements of the plans of action adopted in 2005 to improve the status of the Roma in education, employment, housing and health. Serbia was also asked to elaborate on the utility of the Decade of Roma Inclusion, a regional programme aimed at improving the situation of the Roma in Central and South-Eastern Europe. Hungary also requested more information about the major strategic aims and results of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and its added value and the achievement of the programme promoting multiculturalism and tolerance in Vojvodina. It recommended that Serbia adopt a specific anti-discrimination law. 43. Ukraine, as a member of the troika, welcomed the State’s openness regarding the human rights situation in the country and readiness to discuss within the Council all relevant problems. Ukraine expressed its appreciation for the measures taken in the field of the rights of the child, such as adoption of the national action plan for children. However, it wished to know if any steps had been taken to fulfil the recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008 relating to the prohibition of corporal punishment in the family and practices that could amount to torture or ill treatment against children with disabilities in institutions. Ukraine was also interested in learning more about activities aimed at raising awareness of human rights and measures taken to guarantee the right to the highest possible level of health. 44. Azerbaijan appreciated the State’s steps to improve the human rights situation on the ground and the ratification of almost all core human rights treaties. Considering the multiethnic nature of the Serbian State, Azerbaijan particularly welcomed the focus put on minority rights and asked for more information about the effective functioning of national councils. Serbia was also requested to elaborate further on challenges faced and achievements attained in the protection of rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. Azerbaijan also wanted to know whether Serbia envisaged adopting the Gender Equality Law and the national plan of action to improve the situation of women in the near future. Finally, Azerbaijan recommended that Serbia extend the Ombudsman’s monitoring authorities to Government and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to ensure the possibility of redressing human rights violations at all levels of public administration. 45. Japan appreciated the framework to protect minorities but enquired about the remaining problems regarding internally displaced persons, including the Roma, and recommended that Serbia submit its report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as soon as possible. Japan asked Serbia to elaborate further on its perspectives concerning the reported use of excessive force by the police in pre-trial proceedings. Finally, while appreciating the State’s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal, especially on the extradition of Radovan Karadzic, Japan encouraged Serbia to continue its cooperation, including in arresting other indicted persons. 46. Ireland welcomed the fact that the Constitution guarantees freedom of thought and expression and freedom of the media, but was concerned about recent reports of harassment and intimidation of the media and human rights defenders. Ireland welcomed responses from Serbia to written advance and oral questions as to what specific actions have been taken to ensure an