A/HRC/8/47 Page 10 recommended that France adopt further measures to ensure granting possible requests of the Committee against Torture for interim measures in individual cases aimed at preventing the breach of provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It asked France to elaborate on measures adopted in reply to concerns expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, CERD and UNHCR regarding the length of procedures for family reunification of recognized refugees and recommended that these procedures be executed with utmost speed to ensure the protection of family life of the persons concerned. 32. Regarding the 2004 legislation which forbids employees and students of public schools to wear conspicuous religious symbols and the ruling of the European Court on Human Rights that the law banning religious symbols in schools did not violate the freedom of religion, the United States of America enquired about the impact of this law on religiously observant children and teachers, asked how many children have been expelled or teachers fired from school since 2004, and enquired about steps the Government has taken to integrate these children into society. 33. Argentina referred to the ceremony for the signature of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance which took place in Paris, and noted France’s written commitment to submit the text of the Convention to Parliament in the near future. 34. Senegal noted the implementation of concrete initiatives to combat poverty and encouraged the Government to continue examining the possibility of ratifying ICRMW. Senegal expressed its wish that France continue its long-term combat to promote and protect all human rights and to assist other countries to follow the example of France, which is its responsibility and its vocation. 35. Brazil noted that France has signed but not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, as well as the law establishing the Contrôleur général des lieux de privation de liberté which will allow visits at any time of any place where persons are deprived of liberty. It asked how France envisages the process of appointing this Contrôleur in order to guarantee independence and transparency and ensure prompt, impartial and thorough investigation of cases of ill-treatment of detainees, and what measures will be taken to support the Contrôleur in his/her functions in accordance with article 18 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. Finally, Brazil asked how France assesses the law banning conspicuous religious symbols in public schools and its impact on religious pluralism and human rights promotion and protection. 36. Qatar requested further information on the efforts, guarantees and measures taken to ensure equality and non-discrimination. It also enquired about the experience in promoting and protecting human rights while combating terrorism and requested more information on how France has been able to strike a balance between the freedom of speech and opinion and the protection of religions against defamation. 37. India noted the concerns of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief about Law 2004-228, and asked for more information regarding France’s experience in the implementation of this law since 2004. It also referred to the independent expert on minority issues who noted that France has traditionally not accepted the concept of minority rights and recognition of minority groups. India recommended that France actively consider reviewing its position on minorities by recognizing and protecting them as minority groups. Pursuant to the recommendation of the independent expert on minority issues, India recommended that France actively consider undertaking more aggressive strategies to increase the number of people with immigrant heritage in the public service, particularly the police, civil service and the judiciary, in order to better reflect the broad diversity within France.