A/HRC/31/74 Rapporteur’s remarks in order to specifically react and propose additional language. She added that racism and sport could be an area where the Ad Hoc Committee could make a very significant contribution. 50. The representative of South Africa stated that its delegation and the African Group were clear about the fact that the ultimate complementary standard must be a protocol and that it must be binding. 51. The representative of Pakistan, on behalf of OIC, thanked the Chair-Rapporteur for the snapshot of the discussion that had been taking place, including the interesting proposals made by the experts. Pakistan, on behalf of OIC, supported the idea of guidelines but did not understand the basis for objections to an optional protocol, given that Members States were not obligated to sign. It was difficult to reconcile how, after 50 years, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was able to encapsulate all new developments. An optional protocol that broadly outlined to State parties the elaboration of specific plans on racism and sport would be a welcome development. Treaty bodies should encourage tangible changes on the ground for victims of racial discrimination. She suggested that, from the list of topics, that of advocacy and incitement to racial, ethnic, national and religious hatred and that of hate crimes be proposed for discussion by the Ad Hoc Committee at its eighth session. 52. The representative of Cuba recalled that it has always supported the elaboration of complementary standards on issues related to the Convention. The various positions to impede the Ad Hoc Committee from elaborating a binding standard were unfortunate, given its clear and urgent mandate. A document including all of the recommendations that had been put forward by the experts could serve as a basis for action plans and guiding principles. Cuba aligned itself with the statement made by South Africa and by Pakistan on behalf of OIC. It supported the topic of racism and sport and other topics, noting that the broad list of topics would continue to be discussed. 53. The representative of Mexico noted that there were barriers and gaps to be overcome and the question was, in fact, whether what was already in place could be improved. Mexico would not oppose guidelines on racism and sport, but further discussion was needed on many other issues. 54. The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela pointed out that, taking into consideration the comments that had been made by the experts in the field during the session, it was clear, in his delegation’s view, that there were procedural gaps for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and substantive gaps, which, if covered, would assist the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in achieving its objectives. Some of the existing mechanisms required modification, others simply needed to be strengthened for effective implementation, and those that had yet to be created were evidenced by economic, social, cultural, civil and political realities, and the suffering of countless vulnerable groups. 55. For those reasons, according to his delegation, it is necessary to insist on compliance with the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee, through the strengthening of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and by developing complementary standards, which is becoming increasingly urgent. The international community should progress steadily towards the eradication of all discriminatory practices, and the content of the new international instrument should be developed for that purpose, with the support of his delegation. 56. Finally, the representative stated that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in compliance with the provisions of its Constitution, which enshrines the fundamental basis for the establishment of a multi-ethnic and multicultural society and equal opportunities without discrimination or subordination, has implemented the Law Against Racial 14