A/HRC/21/14 28. Norway recognized the efforts made by Poland to fight discrimination. It took note of the fact that concerns had been raised about the existence of article 212 of the Polish Penal Code, which criminalized defamation. Norway made recommendations. 29. Peru stated that Poland had made significant progress in human rights, which was evident by the adoption of measures for persons with disabilities, policies in the labour market, on gender equality, and those providing for greater participation of women in public life and in politics. Peru made recommendations. 30. The Philippines noted that Poland increased the mandate of its Ombudsman for Children’s Rights; the numerous human rights conventions that had been ratified; the consistent efforts to curb human trafficking; and the assertion that most of the standards for protection of migrant workers were on par with the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). It made a recommendation. 31. The Republic of Korea commended Poland for its record of cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms and welcomed the progress it made on issues that had been raised during its review. It made recommendations. 32. The Republic of Moldova welcomed Poland’s efforts in promoting and protecting human rights including the actions taken by the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment and the extension of the competence of the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights; and applauded Poland’s progress in combating human trafficking. It made recommendations. 33. Romania stated that the measures presented by Poland demonstrated the commitment to improve the promotion and protection of human rights and that significant progress had been made in many areas. Some of the measures and projects could serve as examples of good practices. Romania made a recommendation. 34. The Russian Federation expressed concern at the continued increase of xenophobic and racist attitudes, discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities and migrants, and about the persistent problems relating to the judiciary and penitentiary systems. It made recommendations. 35. Slovakia welcomed the mid-term report submitted by Poland during the first cycle. It noted Poland’s achievements, the awarding of the “Cristal Balance of Administration of Justice” to the Polish Prison Services, the incorporation of human rights into education curricula, and the human rights programmes for police offices. Slovakia made recommendations. 36. Slovenia expressed its satisfaction with the numerous human rights training courses on prevention and combating of hate crimes provided for the Polish police but remained concerned at the excessive use of force by police officers. Slovenia noted with concern the restrictive anti-abortion legislation and the lack of guidelines on threats to a pregnant woman’s health or life. Slovenia made recommendations. 37. Spain raised concern that despite the anti- discrimination Law of 1 January 2011 there was widespread social perception that homosexuality was a disease and de facto discrimination in the workplace and educational centres persisted. It inquired whether Poland intended to launch education campaigns on sexual and emotional diversity or plan to grant a legal status to same sex couples. It made recommendations. 38. Sweden noted the 2010 law on legal prohibition of corporal punishment of children that facilitated early response to suspected child abuse by civil servants and social workers and Poland’s efforts to address continuing occurrence of violence against children. Sweden 6