A/HRC/31/12 58. Burkina Faso commended the introduction of a specific definition of torture and the strengthened penalties for incitement to hatred. It noted the establishment of a mechanism to implement the recommendations arising from the universal periodic review. 59. Canada encouraged Austria to continue to promote equality, counteract discrimination and improve the status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and to strengthen policies and programmes to combat discrimination, xenophobia and racism. 60. Chile highlighted the ratification of important international instruments and the continuous dialogue with civil society reflected in a national human rights action plan. 61. China noted the ratification of several human rights instruments and the plans to promote equality, to protect women against violence and the rights of persons with disabilities and to combat human trafficking. 62. Costa Rica noted the strengthening of norms related to torture and the role of the Ombudsman. It highlighted the commitment of Austria to human rights in the face of the current refugee crisis. 63. Croatia noted the adoption of new laws and the ratification of important international human rights instruments. It asked about measures to promote the participation of women in corporate boards and about the participation of civil society in the preparation of the national human rights action plan. 64. Cuba commended the progress achieved in human rights. It noted that challenges in achieving gender equality and combating racial discrimination remained, and the resurgence of groups inspired by extremist nationalist ideologies. 65. The Czech Republic made a statement and recommendations. 66. The Democratic Republic of the Congo asked for more information on the “motherchild passport” programme regarding the national strategy for the health of children and youth. 67. Denmark welcomed the progress made in closing the gender pay gap, as well as efforts regarding the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation. 68. Djibouti appreciated the financial contribution of Austria to OHCHR. 69. The delegation stated that the Federal Constitutional Act on the Rights of the Child had been adopted in 2011. Thus, in Austria constitutional provisions and other laws guaranteed the rights of children and the Government would continue to advance the protection of those rights. The ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure had been the subject of discussion and of a careful assessment in past years. As soon as the process was completed and all obstacles to ratification were identified, Austria would decide on the matter. A high-level conference on the elimination of corporal punishment against children would be held in 2016 in Vienna. 70. The delegation also stated that a national dialogue and assessment on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was under way. The process had not been completed but would be on a good way. 71. In respect of the protection of migrant workers, the delegation stated that Austria, as a member of the European Union, had participated in the ongoing discussions in the region on regulating migration. There had been different interpretations of and overlap in the regulations in force in the European Union. Austria and the other member States needed to implement regulations on migration, concerning which some legal issues remained, which was an important factor to take into account. 8