A/HRC/56/67 organization of a Justice and Human Rights Space on International Human Rights Day in 2022. F. Cuba 20. According to the information provided by Cuba, there are concerning global increases in racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Trends and global events, such as increasing inequality, social media use, profound social and economic inequality and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were reputedly exacerbating increasing global racial discrimination. Cuba also reported that hate speech among political figures was a concerning trend. Cuba described its support for the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a key step in addressing global racial discrimination. 21. Cuba reported that no neo-Nazi organizations, or other extremist groups, existed in its jurisdiction. There were legal provisions in place to provide protection from racial discrimination. For example, the Constitution stated that all persons were equal before the law, received equal protection and treatment from the authorities and enjoyed the same rights, freedoms and opportunities, without discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ethnic origin, skin colour, religious belief, disability, national or territorial origin or any other personal condition or circumstance that implied a distinction detrimental to human dignity. All persons had the right to enjoy the same public spaces and service facilities and received equal pay for equal work, without discrimination. Violation of the principle of equality was prohibited and punishable by law. 22. In addition to such legal standards, Cuba reportedly had relevant policies in place. In November 2019, the Government established the National Programme against Racism and Racial Discrimination, as an expression of the country’s political will to eradicate any vestiges of racial discrimination. The Government also established the National Commission for the Fight against Racism and Racial Discrimination, which had a mandate to eradicate all forms of racial discrimination. It had launched a social observatory in 2023 to research and collect data on racial discrimination. G. Dominican Republic 23. According to the information provided, the Dominican Republic had, since its origin, been characterized as a “mestizo” country, due to its ethnic and cultural plurality, which was expressed in its culture and society. Accordingly, discrimination, intolerance and racist violence did not reportedly characterize the country. However, as in all countries, there were people or groups that espoused discriminatory or racist discourses, according to the information provided. 24. The Dominican Republic reported on the legal framework in place to provide protection from discrimination. For example, the Constitution of 2015 reportedly provided protection from discrimination on the basis of multiple grounds, including discrimination on the basis of race, gender, skin colour, age, disability status, nationality, family ties, language, religion, political or philosophical opinion or social or personal condition. In addition to prohibiting discrimination, the Constitution reportedly established equality as both a right and as one of the country’s supreme values and fundamental principles. The Dominican Republic reported that it had a regulatory framework in place to protect the right to equality and punish discrimination, when appropriate, including provisions of the Criminal Code establishing crimes relating to discrimination, as well as sanctions. The National Congress had reportedly been working on a draft anti-discrimination law. 25. The Dominican Republic provided information about awareness-raising and sensitization activities relating to equality and discrimination. It reportedly implemented educational and preventive measures and provided specialized training for public officials and actors in the criminal justice system, regarding the obligation and guarantee of compliance with human rights and the use of force. It also had a national human rights plan for the period 2018 to 2024, which reportedly reflected the commitment of the Government to achieving substantial improvements in the observance of human rights. The Ombudsman, GE.24-08848 5