A/HRC/17/17 time so as to contribute particularly in achieving gender equality, freedom of expression and the rule of law. The delegation stated that Estonia considered the universal periodic review a unique process for improving the human rights situation, as well as an opportunity to exchange best practices. It thanked all the States that had submitted advance questions. 8. The integration of national minorities into Estonia’s multicultural society of more than 260 State-supported ethnic groups has been an integral part of its commitment to protect and promote human rights. Estonia has implemented a number of integration programmes since 2000, including the latest 2010-2013 programme developed in close cooperation with representatives of ethnic minorities, which placed at its core equal opportunity and the involvement of all people, regardless of their ethnicity, in developing society, with particular attention to youth. Since 2009, the Ministry of Culture has been responsible for the implementation of the integration programme. 9. The delegation referred to its 2010 reports which indicate, inter alia, that contacts between residents of different ethnic origins has increased, and knowledge of Estonian among speakers of other languages has improved. The delegation also reported that the number of persons with undetermined citizenship had decreased from over 30 per cent in the 1990s to about 7 per cent today. Persons with undetermined citizenship enjoyed all political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights, and lacked only the right to vote in Parliamentary elections compared to Estonian citizens. 10. With regard to the promotion of gender equality, the delegation stated that Estonia had adopted a national action plan for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2010–2014, which includes measures to increase awareness and knowledge of the gender perspective and women’s needs in conflict resolution. The delegation noted the establishment of the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner, an independent and impartial expert who will monitor compliance with the provisions of law, advise Government institutions on the implementation of legislation, and receive complaints from individuals concerning discrimination. 11. The delegation referred to the results of the 2009 survey, and indicated that the general awareness of gender inequality was not very high, although the level of awareness had increased somewhat over the last four years. The results of the study were used to assess the existing gender-equality policy and to develop new policy measures where needed. 12. The delegation indicated a number of steps undertaken to combat domestic violence, including the review of the first results of the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Reduction of Violence (2010-2014), and criminalization of violation of a temporary restraining order. It also referred to Estonia’s ongoing efforts to fight against human trafficking, including several awareness-raising activities, provision of shelter and rehabilitation to victims, carried out in co-operation with women’s organizations and with increased financial support of the Government. 13. The role of women’s organizations as well as other non-governmental organizations has been constantly growing, and the government has supported capacity building of NGOs, as well as NGO-run gender-equality projects, through a programme funded jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Open Society Institute in Estonia. NGOs have been active in developing and implementing policies and programmes, as well as in preparing the national report for the universal periodic review. Moreover, Estonia plans to make the use of the internet forum a compulsory part of the development of any Government proposal, by making public every piece of legislation from the initial draft until its adoption. 4