A/HRC/43/2 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in November 2019, during its third universal periodic review in the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review session. 374. During the Working Group session held in November 2019, Italy had highlighted the important role of the Inter-ministerial Committee for Human Rights of Italy (established in 1978), and more generally, of the national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up. 375. The National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up was a concrete enabler of human rights, ensuring a transparent, effective and inclusive application of international principles, standards and norms, as well as, strengthening the overall objective of ‘Rule of Law’, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, especially Sustainable Development Goal No.16. It has been playing a key role, including in the implementation of universal periodic review and other relevant mechanisms’ recommendations. 376. Turning to the universal periodic review recommendations put forward on 4 November 2019 and the latest domestic developments, the head of the delegation recalled that Italy had accepted 292 out of 306 recommendations received. In this regard, all the institutions concerned reviewed the universal periodic review recommendations received and collaborated in the preparation of final positions included in the national Addendum. Throughout this third cycle exercise, civil society organizations were invited to specific sessions organized by the Inter-ministerial Committee for Human Rights as the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up of Italy. 377. From a substantial standpoint, the Italian Government reiterated its firm commitment towards the establishment of a National Independent Human Rights Institution. For instance, it was noted that, in the Italian Parliament, there is an ongoing debate and that the relevant Commissions were focusing on this issue. 378. Italy was firmly committed to fighting against all forms of discrimination, racism, xenophobia and intolerance, including hate speech. It was noted that Professor Milena Santerini had been recently appointed as the National Coordinator to fight against antiSemitism. 379. Italy also confirmed its engagement in gender equality and the fight against all forms of discrimination and violence against women through a variety of initiatives, including in the STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) area. 380. Regarding the prevention and the fight against discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity and LGBTI people’s rights, it was stressed that Italy had taken note of one relevant recommendation, but it had accepted all the remaining sixteen. 381. Italy had established the Office for policies for persons with disabilities as the support structure of the President of the Council of Ministers for the promotion and coordination of government action on disability matters. This Office was in charge of the necessary requirements for the implementation of policies aimed to guaranteeing the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and the promotion of their effective participation and social inclusion. 382. With regard to the full independence of non-governmental organizations, journalists and human rights defenders, it has stressed that the Italian legal system does guarantee it. 383. In relation to the recommendations on labour exploitation and the fight against Caporalato, relevant issues fell within the political priorities of the public action as identified in the Guidance Act (in Italian, Atto di Indirizzo) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies for the year 2020 (Ministerial Decree No. 184/2019). This Act highlighted, inter alia, the need to pay specific attention to the fight against undeclared work, being particularly widespread in southern Italy, for particularly vulnerable categories of workers (women, 66