A/HRC/27/7 86. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia welcomed the ratification by Portugal of international instruments and the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission. It expressed appreciation for the efforts of Portugal to promote economic, social and cultural rights, and its creation of a social emergency plan. 87. Timor-Leste noted the positive steps taken by Portugal to promote human rights, and its efforts to implement the recommendations of the previous UPR. It commended Portugal on maintaining its human rights obligations throughout the financial crisis, and on its creation of a social emergency plan for vulnerable groups. 88. Tunisia noted the progress made by Portugal since the first UPR review, in particular the creation of a National Human Rights Commission, the ratification of international and regional instruments and the adoption of strategies and action plans to promote human rights. Tunisia encouraged Portugal to strengthen efforts to combat racism and xenophobia. 89. Turkey welcomed the establishment of the Portuguese National Human Rights Commission. It commended Portugal on the steps taken to overcome the economic crisis and asked what measures were in place to improve prison capacity, following the easing of the financial crisis. It asked what steps had been taken to combat racism and discrimination, especially for Roma and immigrants, and what assistance was provided to victims of human trafficking. 90. Ukraine requested further information on the Third Plan for Immigrant Integration and on experience in implementing previous such plans. It asked whether immigrants were subject to professional constraints and enquired about the impact of the economic crisis on immigrant employment, in addition to putting other questions concerning equal pay for immigrant workers. 91. The United Arab Emirates commended Portugal on its implementation of all of the accepted recommendations from the first UPR and on the progress achieved in respect of social justice. It requested further information about the results of the Social Emergency Plan, launched in October 2011. 92. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and the commitment of Portugal to ratifying human rights treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It was pleased to note the fourth and fifth national plans against domestic and gender-based violence, and asked what measures had been taken to reduce social acceptance of those forms of violence. 93. The United States of America commended Portugal for its strong human rights record, although it expressed concern at reports of excessive use of force by the police and of abuse and mistreatment of prisoners by prison guards. It expressed concern that compulsory arbitration should only be imposed on workers and employer organizations in cases of acute national or local crisis, consistent with the principle of voluntary negotiation as set out in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). 94. Uruguay noted the ratification by Portugal of international human rights instruments and its introduction of policies in numerous fields, as well as its establishment of an Ombudsman as a mechanism for the prevention of torture. Uruguay wished to learn more about the assistance provided to child victims of trafficking and how Portugal had maintained economic, social and cultural rights during the economic crisis. 95. Uzbekistan expressed concern regarding manifestations of xenophobia and racism as well as discrimination against immigrants and foreigners, particularly Roma and persons of African descent, in education, health care, employment and housing. There had also been 12