A/71/301 more emphasis will be given to the role of national specialized bodies in the present report. 14. For the preparation of the present report, the Special Rapporteur sent to Member States, networks of national specialized bodies and other relevant stakeholders a questionnaire on their national action plans and their specialized equality bodies, seeking information on how the two mechanisms are related and work with each other and their effectiveness in combating racism, xenophobia and related discrimination. As at 31 July 2016, replies had been received from the following Member States: Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Denmark, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Mauritania, Namibia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Turkey. 4 The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank all States that sent their replies, from which he draws some of the examples mentioned in the present report, and remains interested in receiving additional information, although it may not be incorporated into the present report. B. Normative and legislative framework 15. The Special Rapporteur notes that the creation of national specialized b odies in national legislation is encouraged, not only at the international level, but also at the regional level, in a number of legislative instruments. 1. International level International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discr imination 16. In article 14 (2) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, it is stated that: “Any State Party which makes a declaration … may establish or indicate a body within its national legal order whi ch shall be competent to receive and consider petitions from individuals and groups of individuals within its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation of any of the rights set forth in this Convention and who have exhausted other available local remedies.” Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001) 17. The Special Rapporteur recalls that in paragraph 113 of the Durban Declaration, adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance on 8 September 2001, support was reaffirmed for relevant regional bodies where they exist and their establishment was encouraged. In paragraph 90 of the Programme of Action, States were urged “as appropriate, to establish, strengthen, review and reinforce the effectiveness of independent national human rights institutions, particularly on issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance ”. Moreover, the Programme of Action goes beyond the creation of national specialized bodies, since States are urged in paragraph 91 thereof “to foster cooperation between these institutions and other national institutions”, “to take steps to ensure that those individuals or groups of individuals who are victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance can participate fully in these institutions”, and __________________ 4 16-13565 The Special Rapporteur regrets that he was not able to review a ll submissions owing to late replies and delays relating to translation from United Nations conference services. 5/21