A/HRC/19/18 democracy. The delegation explained that the perspective of the European integration had created a positive environment for the modernization and transformation, with significant achievements in the field of human rights. The criminal code and laws on peaceful assembly, access to legal assistance, domestic violence, human trafficking, juvenile justice and social assistance had each been improved. 8. However, a number of challenges and events, including post-election events in April 2009, tested the national capacities in human rights and supported new proactive approaches, especially in improving the implementation of legal norms in this area. 9. The delegation stated that as human rights were recognized a priority issue, a number of policies and programmes were adopted to enhance the human rights protection. The National Human Rights Action Plans of the Republic of Moldova for the period of 2011-2014 which represented the continuity of the previous national action plan included a mid-term evaluation of the document to be in line with UPR recommendations. 10. The draft law on preventing and combating discrimination was developed in order to strengthen existing rules and create mechanisms for the implementation of the principles of non-discrimination and equality. The draft law included, inter alia, an indicative list of criteria of discrimination and established a council for preventing and combating discrimination. However, as the consultations over the draft law revealed certain sensitivities within the society, the draft was withdrawn from the Parliament for further consideration. Following this, the Government embarked on a path of broad consultations aimed inter alia at ensuring that the law would be endorsed not only by the Government, but also by the entire society. Recently, the draft anti-discrimination law was submitted to the public authorities and civil society for coordination and comments before adopting this legislative act. 11. The delegation reported that in March 2011 the Ministry of Justice registered the Islamic League of the Republic of Moldova as a religious organization, enabling the organization to enjoy the full range of benefits deriving from its legal personality. At the same time, extensive consultations with the participation of the civil society and religious organizations were launched in order to start the amendment procedure of the existing law on the religious organizations. The country visit of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in September, made a positive contribution to this end. 12. The delegation reported on the Strategy for Justice Sector Reform for 2011-2016 which created the institutional framework necessary to coordinate reform in this area and to build an accessible, efficient, independent, transparent and professional justice sector. The importance of the justice sector reform was also reflected in the new Development Strategy “Moldova 2020”. The delegation also noted the recently adopted Action Plan to support the Roma population for 2011-2015, which contained measures affecting key areas of social life. 13. A working group on amending the Ombudsman Law was established to bring the existing regulations in compliance with Paris Principles. The Centre for Human Rights of Moldova was accredited in 2009 with B status according to the Paris Principles. 14. The delegation noted the recent reform of the prison system which had the following major objectives: improving the legal criminal-executive framework, improving conditions of detention in accordance with international standards, increasing transparency in detention institutions and preventing torture and cases of ill-treatment, and building capacity of prison staff. 15. The delegation informed that the Republic of Moldova would start the ratification process of the Protocol 12 to the Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms after the adoption of the legal framework on anti-discrimination. With regard to the 4