A/HRC/24/23 expression and freedom of information in accordance with international standards; for example, Grenada, Mexico, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Serbia, and Uruguay reportedly recently decriminalized acts of slander, defamation, contempt or libel. 20. In addition, some States made reference to plans of action for addressing issues relating to freedom of information. The Republic of Moldova, for instance, recently amended its national human rights plan of action (2011-2014) to include activities relating to the independence of the mass media and freedom of expression following recommendations made during the universal periodic review of the Human Rights Council. In Mongolia, the strategic plan of the national human rights commission for 2012-2014 reportedly includes monitoring the implementation of, and raising public awareness about, laws on information transparency and the right to information. 21. More specifically, States referred to constitutional and legislative measures intended to address the protection of journalists; for example, Mexico indicated that, following a recent constitutional amendment, crimes committed against journalists had become federal offences. In Colombia, article 73 of the Constitution specifically provides that “journalism will enjoy such protection as necessary to guarantee its freedom and professional independence”. 22. Other examples include the Audiovisual Code in the Republic of Moldova, which requires that public authorities ensure the protection of journalists if they are subject to pressure or threats that might restrict them in carrying out their professional duties. Serbia pointed out that a recent amendment made to the Criminal Code criminalizes threats against journalists performing their professional duties by including journalists in a group of persons significant in the field of public information. Similarly, the Russian Federation stated that amendments made in 2011 to its Criminal Code included establishing criminal liability for obstructing the professional activities of journalists by violence or threats of violence. The Press Law in Poland reportedly provides for the same sanctions to be imposed against those who use violence against journalists as those who use violence against public officials. 2. Combating impunity initiatives 23. Other States discussed mechanisms to ensure the investigation and prosecution of attacks against journalists and other media professionals. For instance, Colombia stated that the Public Prosecutor’s Office had a special subunit that conducted investigations into crimes committed against journalists. In Mexico, the Special Prosecutor for Crimes against Freedom of Expression reportedly has the authority to direct, coordinate and supervise investigations and, where appropriate, the prosecution of crimes committed against journalists. It is also involved in the systematization of information regarding attacks on journalists. 24. Serbia reported that, in January 2012, a national commission had been created to review the investigations of the killing of Dada Vujasinović, Slavko Ćuruvija and Milan Pantić, three prominent journalists, in the 1990s, and to make recommendations to improve future investigations. Sweden stated that it monitored and responded to assaults against journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders, and that the Swedish Union of Journalists provided legal advice and protection for professional journalistic practices. 3. Protection initiatives 25. The measures to strengthen the protection of journalists reported included the Protection Programme for Journalists and Social Communicators, established in Colombia in 2000, together with the Programme for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, 8