A/HRC/8/40 Page 7 17. France enquired whether the Republic of Korea envisaged formally abolishing the death penalty, or at least to adopt a de jure moratorium. It wished to hear more on measures envisaged to combat discrimination, including based on sexual orientation, particularly in the field of employment. France asked about measures envisaged to reform the statute of the NHRCK and to what extent these measures would contribute to strengthening the Commission in respect of the Paris Principles. Lastly, France recommended that the Republic of Korea sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 18. While expressing appreciation for the broad participation of the civil society in the preparation of the national report, Colombia asked the Republic of Korea to elaborate more on the on-line survey that facilitated the consultation process. Colombia also asked the Republic of Korea to provide more information on how the NHRCK mechanism to facilitate human rights education to private companies and the media. 19. Slovenia noted the recommendation by the Human Rights Committee that the Republic of Korea recognize the right of conscientious objectors to be exempted from military services. The Committee found a violation of article 18, paragraph 1, of ICCPR in two individual communications. Slovenia recommended that the Republic of Korea follow up on the Committee’s recommendation to provide the authors of these communications with an effective remedy. It also recommended recognizing the right of conscientious objection by law, to decriminalize refusal of active military service and to remove any current prohibition from employment in government or public organizations. Furthermore, Slovenia noted the concern expressed by CEDAW at the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deeply rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society, which are, as the Committee noted, a root cause of violence against women. It recommended that the Republic of Korea include a gender perspective into the UPR follow-up process in a systematic and continuous manner. While noting that the Republic of Korea took several actions to improve gender equality in employment and participation of women in the economy, Slovenia stressed that, according to several reports, sexual harassment continues to be relatively common. It noted the low prosecution rate in sexual assault cases, presumably due to the fact that sexual crime is categorised as an offence that is subjected to investigation only upon complaint from the victim. Slovenia asked what the Government is doing to change this trend, and recommended that this legal provision be reviewed, along with other relevant provisions, in order to enhance the protection of victims. 20. Belgium noted that the NHRCK has repeatedly demonstrated its independence from the Government since its creation in 2001. It recommended that the Government take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. Belgium highlighted the progress made in combating domestic violence but expressed concern about reports of prevalent illegal prostitution and sexual exploitation of women, two treaty bodies asserting in 2007 the persistence of trafficking in foreign women. While welcoming anti-AIDS policies, Belgium expressed regret about the persisting negative public attitudes vis-à-vis persons affected by AIDS. Belgium also enquired about policies in place to combat discrimination, and recommended, as CEDAW did, that a definition of discrimination against women in compliance with article 1 of the Convention be adopted and that the fight against trafficking in foreign women be intensified. 21. The Czech Republic expressed appreciation for all efforts the Republic of Korea has made to strengthen their human rights mechanisms, in particular for women. It enquired whether the Republic of Korea had conducted any analysis into the link between the high number of suicides and other sudden deaths in detention facilities, as noted by the Committee against Torture, and illtreatment or acts of torture. It asked what measures have been adopted to better monitor detention facilities and to ensure thorough investigation of cases of ill-treatment or torture. The Czech