A/HRC/13/5 47. South Africa noted Norway’s efforts to promote gender equality and wanted to know to what extent the measures aimed at addressing domestic violence contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence and the elimination of negative societal attitudes towards women. South Africa asked about plans for the prohibition of racial discrimination in the Anti-Discrimination Act. It asked about measures to ensure that legislation adopted in the fight against terrorism does not affect the full and effective enjoyment of human rights. South Africa made a recommendation. 48. Spain highlighted Norway’s effective application of all international instruments in the area of human rights. Spain made several recommendations. It asked if Norway intended to ratify OP-CAT, CED and CRPD and whether the Government intended to sign and ratify OP-ICESCR. It enquired how Norway would respond to the request of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that it change its legislation regarding the amount of time a person can be held in preventive detention. 49. Australia commended the representation of women in key positions in the Government and encouraged Norway to share details of specific measures taken to achieve this. Australia recognized that particular challenges exist in ensuring that the human rights of indigenous people are respected and asked about any formal framework to ensure that the East Sámi people are consulted on indigenous policy matters. 50. Serbia encouraged Norway to continue its efforts aimed at ratification of OP-CAT. It noted with interest Norway’s approach to resolving the problem of domestic violence. Serbia asked for more information about the measures proposed by the Committee on Rape in 2008to improve the reporting, investigation and follow-up of rape cases, 51. Sweden welcomed Norway’s 1981 initiative to establish the world’s first Ombudsman for Children. Sweden referred to reported concerns that children in detention are kept in isolation for extended periods and that alternatives to detention are not pursued efficiently. Sweden made a related recommendation. Sweden noted that that UNHCR and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination indicated that persons with an immigrant background and persons belonging to minorities, such as the Roma, often face discrimination in areas such as employment, housing and education. Sweden made a related recommendation. 52. Germany stated that Norway is one of the countries with a very good human rights record. It asked about the situation of women, particularly their position in the labour market and their educational choices, and about further measures planned to address those concerns. Noting the absence of a national guardian system for unaccompanied asylumseeking and refugee children, Germany asked about responses to meet the needs of such children. 53. Bosnia and Herzegovina noted the important role of civil society in Norway and the participation of more than half the adult population in such organizations. It asked Norway about the steps taken to address the problems faced by persons with an immigrant background in the labour market and the dropout rate of immigrant children in upper secondary education. It welcomed the amendments to the Penal Code aimed at strengthening protection against expressions of racial hatred. Bosnia and Herzegovina made a recommendation. 54. Cuba noted that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had welcomed the innovative activities in Norway to address the social issues of men and women and related stereotypes, but echoed its concern at the persistence of cultural stereotypes which affect the position of women in the labour market and their access to higher education. Cuba asked Norway to provide more information on measures to address the above-mentioned issues. Cuba made several recommendations. 8