A/HRC/32/50/Add.1 everyday operations have been supported by actions taken in the context of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-country Nationals. 20. In December 2015, Law No. 4356/2015 8 on civil partnership agreements for same-sex couples was enacted. According to this law, same-sex couples can choose civil partnership in order to cohabit and enjoy the full rights of married couples. However, they have neither the right to marry nor the right to adopt. Additionally, the Law provides for the creation of the National Council Against Racism and Intolerance, the purpose of which is to formulate policies to prevent and combat racism; monitor the implementation of legislation against racism and intolerance, as well as compliance with international and European law; and promote and coordinate the actions of all stakeholders in order to tackle the phenomenon. Moreover, the above-mentioned law provides for modifications to the Criminal Code (arts. 81A and 361B) in order to strengthen the punishment of hate crimes. IV. Institutional framework for combating racism 21. The Special Rapporteur was pleased to note that there are credible institutions active in the fight against racism and discrimination in Greece. He met with representatives of the National Commission for Human Rights, a statutory national human rights commission having consultative status with the State on issues pertaining to human rights protection, established by Law No. 2887/1998 in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). In the course of its actions, the Commission has issued several reports and recommendations regarding human rights issues in Greece, which have been raised in both international and European forums. The major issues concern non-discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin or sex; protection of minority populations; immigration policies; education and promotion of human rights; protection of the social rights of refugees and asylum seekers; implementation of the International Labour Organization Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111); social and legal protection of Roma; and the overhaul of relevant policies and legislation on racial discrimination. In 2011, the Commission expressed its concern in particular about rising racist and xenophobic violence by issuing a number of recommendations, including for improved training of police and the judiciary with regard to racist crimes, and issued guidelines on the investigation and registration of these violent acts. In December 2013, the Commission called for a change of Law No. 927/1979 (A 139) to adapt it to European Council framework decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, a recommendation which was followed by the enactment, in September 2014, of Law No. 4285/2014 for that purpose. In January 2015, the National Commission for Human Rights, in the context of delivering its opinion regarding the periodic report of Greece on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had the opportunity to assess the status of implementation of that Convention. In that respect, the Commission cited a series of comments, expressing concern at the rapid and dramatic deterioration of living standards in Greece, which had led to the impoverishment of a large section of the population, widened social gaps, disrupted the social fabric and caused a resurgence of extremist and intolerant elements, thus undermining democratic institutions. It has also repeatedly urged the authorities to take joint action with the Governments and parliaments of other States members of the European Union and the European Parliament so that every measure of “economic governance” is 8 See https://nomoi.info/%CE%A6%CE%95%CE%9A-%CE%91-181-2015%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%BB-1.html. 7