A/HRC/48/77 Cuba. The Government reported that laws and policies had been adopted to combat and eliminate the persisting vestiges of racism, racial prejudice and racial discrimination. Articles 41 and 42 of the Constitution contained the principles of equality and non-discrimination. In November 2019, Cuba had adopted the National Programme against Racism and Racial Discrimination. 26. The Government expressed its concern about the disturbing wave of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia at the international level and about the use of social networks and other forms of communication to promote it. The COVID-19 pandemic had further exacerbated discrimination against the poor, people of African descent and migrants. The persistence and reappearance of neo-Nazism, neo-fascism and other violent nationalist ideologies based on racial and national prejudices must be condemned. Cuba reiterated its willingness to contribute to the efforts to achieve full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as to efforts to adopt new practical measures to eliminate contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and intolerance. Cyprus 27. The Government of Cyprus referred to the legislative framework that criminalized racist crime and hate speech, including public acts aimed at promoting hostility between communities and religious groups based on race, religion, colour or gender. Cyprus was a party to relevant international instruments, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime and the Additional Protocol thereto, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems. Council of the European Union Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA had been transposed into national law through the law on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. 28. Training for police forces included modules on the protection and respect of human rights and diversity, and on combating discrimination, xenophobia, racism and extremist political movement. A memorandum of understanding for the protection and promotion of human rights had been signed between the police and 14 non-governmental organizations. Its main purpose was to improve, and develop closer cooperation for, the protection and promotion of human rights. The memorandum included references to visits to police and detention centres, submission of complaints, exchange of information and education. The Ministry of Justice and Public Order had prepared a national strategy on human rights, which was at the final stage of adoption. The strategy included measures for protecting against antisemitism, racism and intolerance and for combating hate speech. Dominican Republic 29. According to the Government, marked racism as it was experienced in Europe and in the United States of America and other countries in the region did not exist in the Dominican Republic. Nevertheless, there were isolated cases of discrimination against vulnerable groups. The Constitution provided guarantees to safeguard everyone’s rights; article 39 contained the principle of non-discrimination. Article 336 of the Penal Code criminalized any act of discrimination. Laws aimed at combating discrimination against persons of Haitian descent and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity had been enacted. 30. In 2011, the Human Rights Unit had been created within the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The main objective of the Unit was to develop and implement policies to prevent human rights violations and to provide support for victims. The Unit had developed training programmes for members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as awareness-raising campaigns to promote the respect of diversity. Advocacy before the Council of Ministers had led to the adoption of two resolutions aimed at eliminating racism and discrimination in public places, such as bars and restaurants, and in access to justice. 31. In relation to Nazism and antisemitism, the Government reported that no complaints had been registered. Regarding xenophobia towards Haitian nationals, such xenophobia was social racism, hidden in economic and cultural issues. 6