A/HRC/16/64 and simplify the issuance of residence permits to those entitled to them, and detect and deport illegal foreigners. 27. The representative of Norway stated that discrimination on prohibited grounds was proscribed by several laws, among others, the Anti-Discrimination Act, which transformed the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination into national law. Further anti-discrimination legislation was being drafted upon the proposal of a commission appointed for that purpose. The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman supervises implementation of above-mentioned legislation and decides on individual complaints, along with the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Tribunal. Furthermore, an institution had been established to promote integration and diversity. Norway launched the Plan of Action to combat Racism and Discrimination in 2002 and the Plan of Action to Promote Equality and Prevent Ethnic Discrimination in 2009, incorporating recommendations of the Durban Declaration. Included were policy measures to safeguard and develop Sami languages, culture and social life. Furthermore, the Plan of Action for the promotion of integration and inclusion of the immigrant population had been launched. 28. The representative of Costa Rica stated that, of the recommendations made during the universal periodic review to Costa Rica, some recommended amending legislation to conform to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and prepare and adopt a national action plan against racism. With the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regional office, on 27 and 28 September 2010 a seminar had been held with the aim of discussing national action plans and racial discrimination. Over two days, various participants addressed the main recommendations made to Costa Rica during the universal periodic review regarding the fight against discrimination and its own national perspective on an issue that was under the responsibility of all. During the seminar, experiences regarding efforts of other Latin American countries were discussed such as those of: Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and. United Nations agencies also shared their viewpoints on the issue of discrimination in Costa Rica and other countries. The main conclusions of the seminar were that there was a strong need to prepare a national plan against racism and topics such as education, culture and health were elements that should be adequately addressed as part of common efforts. 29. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stated that its “Programme for Government” made clear its country’s determination to take concerted action to tear down barriers to equal opportunities, including by setting up measures for black, Asian and minority ethnic communities with relation to employment. It was stated that there had been success in programmes aimed at narrowing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers in education, and that further programmes with that aim would be conducted. The delegate highlighted that the Race Relations Act 1976 had been amended in 2000 to add, inter alia, the duty of public bodies to give due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good race relations. In 2005, the first race equality strategy was launched, forming the basis for a renewed programme of action. In 2010, the Equality Act came into force and, in 2011, a new Public Sector Equality Duty to promote equality on grounds of race, disability and gender will be put in place. 30. The representative of Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the African Group, stated that the Executive Council of the African Union, following its meeting in Sirte, Libya, in 2009, had appealed to member States to implement all commitments emanating from the international and regional conferences, and to formulate national policies and plans of action to prevent, combat and eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Ministers, at that meeting, had further urged the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to strengthen the interaction and synergy 9