A/HRC/31/12 44. Armenia welcomed the accession to four international human rights instruments. It noted the amendment to the Criminal Code aggravating criminal liability for hate speech and the leading role played by Austria in fighting impunity. 45. Australia commended enhancements made to the mandate of the Austrian Ombudsman Board. It looked forward to the adoption of a national action plan for integration to strengthen cooperation across the country in areas such as intercultural dialogue, education and employment. 46. Azerbaijan welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It noted concerns expressed by the United Nations human rights bodies regarding discrimination and racism against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. 47. Bahrain commended Austria for the implementation of recommendations arising from the first cycle of the universal periodic review. It expressed concern at the situation of migrant workers and the inability of asylum seekers to receive housing benefits. 48. Bangladesh regretted that despite the recommendation it made during the first cycle of the review that Austria increase its ODA, that assistance had decreased. It noted the contribution of Austria to the dialogue between cultures and religions. 49. Belarus noted the concern expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the resurgence of far-right-wing and other groups inspired by extremist nationalist ideologies and neo-Nazism. It also noted existing intolerance towards migrants, refugees and persons belonging to some ethnic groups. 50. Belgium welcomed the withdrawal of reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the budget allocated to combat hate speech and domestic violence and improvements in the detention conditions of juveniles. 51. Benin noted the standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council. It urged Austria to improve quotas applied to migrant workers for family reunification and increase the level of ODA, as recommended during its first review. 52. Bhutan noted that the Austrian aid programme had made progress in the areas of poverty reduction, conservation of natural resources and promotion of peace and human security. It noted measures to combat human trafficking. 53. The Plurinational State of Bolivia acknowledged the progress made by Austria in the area of human rights since its first universal periodic review. 54. Bosnia and Herzegovina acknowledged efforts to accommodate a significant number of people seeking refuge and asylum and asked about efforts made by Austria to ensure respect for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. 55. Botswana noted amendments to the federal act on the Austrian Ombudsman Board and to the provisions of the Criminal Code related to hate speech. It commended efforts to increase the participation of women in the workforce. It noted reports of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, and overcrowding in prisons. 56. Brazil commended Austria on its initiatives related to refugees and asylum seekers, including unaccompanied minors. It highlighted a need to collect and maintain disaggregated data on racism and discrimination. 57. Bulgaria commended the implementation by Austria of recommendations from the first review. However, reservations to important instruments remained. It supported the recommendation by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to focus on gender equality in its human rights action plan. 7