A/77/512 26. The Government also provided information about the legislative steps that have been taken to address discrimination in the State. This includes the ratification of both the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and regional standards on online hate speech and equality before the law. Information was also provided about the relevant national legal framework, including provisions in the recently amended Criminal Code, which apply criminal law to various forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. Policies and programmes in place were also described, including the social inclusion development programme for 2021–2030 and participation in the implementation of the European Union anti-racism action plan entitled “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020–2025”. 27. The Government highlights that a number of steps have been taken in recent years to strengthen the response to hate crime and hate speech. For example, in 2020, a working group was established to promote an effective response to hate crime and hate speech. In addition, guidelines for the investigation of hate crime and hate speech were developed and approved by the Prosecutor General. Practical guidance for law enforcement officers on cooperation with communities vulnerable to hate crime have also been developed. Information was also included about a range of education and awareness-raising activities, including the establishment of tolerance education centres, materials to raise awareness about the Second World War and events to mark Roma Genocide Day. H. Mauritius 28. The Government of Mauritius described the legal framework in place to ensure the equal treatment of minority groups, including constitutional provisions guaranteeing protection from discrimination and ensuring religious freedom and relevant sections of the Criminal Code criminalizing a range of acts against persons, events and property of a religious nature and offences involving incitement to hatred. 29. Information was also provided about amendments made to section 46 of the Information and Communication Technologies Act, in 2018, to address the malicious use of social media. The amendments were designed to protect individuals from being victims of racial discrimination by means of hate speech, impersonation or other types of harassment carried out through various information and communications technologies. The Government also provided information about relevant provisions in the Equal Opportunities Act; the Truth and Justice Commission Act; the Judicial and Legal Provisions Act; and the Protection of Human Rights Act. 30. The Government provided information about the role of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, which was created in 2001 to uphold and promote the pluralistic nature of Mauritian culture. The role of the Office of the Ombudsm an, including in investigating complaints of discrimination, was also described. 31. The Government detailed measures taken to ensure equality and non-discrimination across a wide range of societal settings, including employment, housing, health, education, cultural activities and political participation. 32. The Government provided information about steps to preserve the cultural diversity of Mauritius within the education system through its formal curriculum and extracurricular activities, as well as measures to tackle bullying and hate speech within educational institutions. Programmes to promote equal participation in cultural activities were also described. These include the provision of infrastructure for all religions, as well as various funds for the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of linguistic pluralism. The Government described the opening of the 22-22915 7/20