A/HRC/18/13 who abandoned Greece with no intention to return. Among those people who left the country on their own will, many renounced the Greek nationality and acquired a foreign nationality. There is a very small number of Muslims who are stateless as a result of the deprivation of their nationality. For these individuals who reside in Thrace, a special ID card has been provided. Concrete steps have been undertaken to restore the Greek nationality of these few stateless people. 51. Regarding freedom of association and the three judgments of the European Court of Human Rights about an equal number of associations in Thrace that were not registered with the competent courts, these cases are pending before the competent civil courts in Greece. There is a very constructive dialogue with the department for the execution of the European Court judgments of the Council of Europe. However, there is a large number of Muslim minority associations and NGOs that have been registered with the competent courts and they operate unimpeded in the area of Thrace. 52. As for the situation of Greek Muslims in two of islands in Dodecanese, Rhodes and Kos, these individuals are fully integrated in the local societies. They represent an excellent example of peaceful and harmonious coexistence with the local society. Their religious freedom is fully respected and they choose, without any intervention, their Islamic preachers. There are two functioning mosques, in Rhodes and Kos. 53. The delegation stated that the Government is clearly committed to the building of a mosque in Athens. Technical and procedural issues have delayed the construction and the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs is trying to resolve the problem through consultations with the competent agencies. On the opening of a mosque in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece stated that this question is under consideration by the Greek authorities. 54. In regard to gender equality and questions related to the employment of women, the three pillars of the National Action Plan were referred to: improvement of the relevant legislation, gender equality policies and gender mainstreaming. The plan promotes protection of women’s rights through the promotion of gender equality, prevention and combating of all forms of violence against women, support for women’s employment and economic independence. On the role of the Greek Ombudsman in this regard, it noted that the Greek Ombudsman has been designated as the competent body for monitoring the implementation of the principle of equal treatment between men and women and his responsibilities have progressively been broadened in this area. However, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes have not been eradicated. As for women’s unemployment, the reduction of gender discrimination on the labour market is dealt with through cross-cutting measures but also through programmes for unemployed women aiming to enhance their effective access to the labour market and to eliminate of social exclusion. In 2010, the law that was adopted on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in employment and occupation improves, simplifies and codifies other legislation. 55. In regard to questions related to trafficking in human beings, Greece has implemented a comprehensive legal framework for combating trafficking, comprising preventive activities, criminalization of the relevant offenses, assistance to victims, effective police action, cooperation with countries of origin, and signature and ratification of international and regional treaties, in particular the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols. The broader National and European Planning was presented in October 2010. 56. Australia congratulated Greece on its legislation on equal treatment and acknowledged recent legislation on gender discrimination. Australia urged Greece to continue efforts to establish prison conditions in compliance with the 1999 Prison Law. 9