A/HRC/42/2 the Group of Friends of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF) was commended, as well as its role in promoting social, cultural and economic rights; and its human rights approach to health, in particular to mental health, were also commended. 543. Portugal was fully committed to the promotion of women’s rights and to the combat and elimination of all forms of discrimination, domestic violence and gender-based violence. In addition to the various measures and initiatives referred to during the review, in August 2019, the Portuguese Council of Ministers approved a resolution setting further measures to prevent and combat domestic violence. 544. On welcoming foreign citizens in the country, the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) 2015 placed Portugal in the second place out of 38 countries on the integration of immigrants. Portugal was one of the first States to sign the Global Compact for Migration. In August 2019, the Council of Ministers approved the National Plan for the Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, one of the first countries in the world to do so, with the aim of moving quickly towards its implementation. 545. The delegation also emphasized the tradition and practice of cultural and interreligious dialogue in Portugal, whose good practices and day-to-day actions were recognized by several international organizations as key factors for the integration of all religions and cultures. 546. The importance that Portugal attached to the issues of racism and racial discrimination had led to significant improvements. The Committee on Equality and Against Racial Discrimination had strengthened its functions, not only receiving complaints but also instructing infringement proceedings. Additionally, many other measures were successfully taken, as reported during the review. The delegation stressed one indicator of the success of these measures: in November 2018, the European Agency for Fundamental Rights Report emphasized that Portugal has the lowest rate of racist violence in the European Union (2 per cent). 547. The elimination of the discrimination against the Roma community, together with its socio-economic integration, continued to deserve the greatest attention. Portugal revised and extended until 2022 the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities, following an extensive consultation process, which included representatives of this community. Based on a consultation between all relevant actors, especially the fundamental role of the municipalities, the National Strategy included among its priorities the reinforcement of schooling and professional integration; the improvement of information and knowledge; access to decent housing; and the fight against discrimination. 548. Trafficking in human beings received Portugal’s greatest attention, especially from the Foreign and Border Service. All victims of trafficking identified by the Borders Service were immediately notified of their status, and residence permits were issued should they wish to remain in the country. 549. Portugal has been working to effectively and permanently improve the conditions in the prisons, namely to improve access to health care, including mental health, and to regulate the use of force on prisoners by prison guards. In 2017, a Prison Requalification Plan was adopted, to be implemented in a 10-year period. 550. Education, including inclusive education, was considered as a priority area for Portugal. Several measures had been taken to promote and guarantee education for all and to reduce the rates of school dropout. Public investment in the sector had been increased. 551. Regarding children’s rights, Portugal aligned itself to the United Nations Children’s Fund voluntary global pledge for the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Child. 85

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