A/HRC/12/50 health from those who came from a socially disadvantaged environment. No additional or new measures were planned. 647. With regard to the recommendations that Slovakia supported with reservations, the delegation stated that, while supporting the general aim of the second part of recommendation 47 calling for combating the exploitation of children in the workplace, it stressed that no cases of exploitation of children in the workplace had been reported, as the employment of children under 15 years of age was prohibited. 648. Slovakia expressed a reservation to recommendation 55, which proposed measures on religious freedom and more flexible norms and rules for religious groups with a small number of believers and avoiding their discrimination. It considered that the recommendation did not identify clearly the nature of the requested flexibility, the quantitative parameters of a small number of believers and the form of discrimination to be avoided. 649. Slovakia had a reservation to recommendation 22 asking for regular responses to questionnaires sent by special procedures mandate holders. As a small country, Slovakia had limited capacities and, despite all efforts, might not always be able to provide the requested information. Slovakia would do its outmost to meet the requirements, but asked for understanding if it did not always respond on time. 650. The delegation stressed that Slovakia had accepted the remaining 79 recommendations. It considered the universal periodic review a continuing process and expressed its determination to implement the recommendations received through the cooperation of governmental and non-governmental bodies. Slovakia remained committed to working towards the implementation of the voluntary pledges undertaken when presenting its candidature to the Council. 651. In conclusion, the delegation highlighted that Slovakia had been among the first countries to sign the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, on 24 September 2009. It also noted that the information about the universal periodic review recommendations and their implementation would be presented at the upcoming meeting of the Council of the Government of Slovakia for non-governmental non-profit organizations. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 652. Hungary welcomed Slovakia’s steps and recalled its recommendation to improve further the legislative guarantees of the rights of national minorities. It noted that the Slovak Parliament had amended the State Language Act on 30 June 2009, which entered into force on 1 September 2009, and said that, on several points, the Act ran counter to the various international commitments Slovakia had undertaken. Instead of protecting and promoting the rights and identities of national minorities, the law limited them. It expressed a preference for a mutually acceptable solution, based on international norms and serving the legitimate interests of minorities. It highlighted that Hungary and Slovakia had been involved in bilateral negotiations, also relying on international actors, in particular the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and that, on 10 September 2009, the heads of Government of Hungary and Slovakia had agreed to accept fully the recommendations of the High Commissioner concerning the amended language law. The two countries discussed the implementation of this commitment. Hungary hoped to inform the Council on progress achieved at the second Minority Forum in November 2009. 653. Algeria noted that Slovakia was a party to the majority of human rights instruments, which demonstrate its determination to promote and protect all human rights. It was encouraged by Slovakia’s readiness to examine the possibility of adhering to the 162