A/HRC/36/8 51. Algeria congratulated Finland on the adoption of the National Action Plan for the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Extremism, which aimed to combat hate speech and prevent hate crimes. It also welcomed the establishment of the government plan of action for persons with disabilities. 52. Angola noted with appreciation the progress accomplished in the legislation on social protection for persons with disabilities. Nonetheless, it noted with concern the high number of cases of violence against women and children, especially those from minorities. 53. Argentina congratulated Finland on the adoption of its second National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights 2017-2019. 54. Armenia welcomed the establishment of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. It encouraged Finland to take further steps to strengthen the human dignity of children and mutual respect between children and their parents in order to prevent violence against children. 55. Australia commended the progress made in the field of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. However, it was concerned that the Act on the Legal Recognition of the Gender of Transsexuals still included a requirement that persons must be sterilized or otherwise infertile before gender reassignment could be legally recognized. 56. The head of the delegation of Finland emphasized the fact that the National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights focused on fundamental and human rights education, equality and non-discrimination, the right of individuals and groups to selfdetermination, and fundamental rights and digitalization. Highlighting the measures that were being taken to prevent and combat violence against women, she highlighted the fact that the purpose was to ensure the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and ensure the provision of specific social and health services for victims of violence. 57. The delegation explained that the new non-discrimination law widened protection against discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and included protection against discrimination in all areas of life. Following the introduction of gender-neutral marriage, which had been the result of a citizens’ initiative in Finland, the Act on the Legal Recognition of the Gender of Transsexuals had been amended. The abolition of the infertility requirement was not included in the current Government’s legislative plan. A preliminary understanding on a Nordic Sámi Convention had been reached; it underlined the participation and self-determination of the Sámi. Moreover, the Government was taking measures to create communities free from racism and discrimination by placing emphasis on open dialogue, inter alia, through the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations. In addition, the Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online, which had been published by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Microsoft and the European Commission, was currently being implemented. 58. The delegation stated that the definition of rape contained in national legislation was compatible with the Istanbul Convention and did not require violence or use of force. Finland had a comprehensive legal framework on hate crime and hate speech, which were regulated mainly in the Criminal Code. According to current law on prisons, juveniles under 18 years of age should be detained separately from adults, as long as it was not against their interest. Provisions on gender-based violence and violence against children had been under constant revision. Finland has criminalized sexual harassment and stalking and had enhanced the protection of victims. 59. The delegation noted that, under the first programme to implement the national Roma policy, progress had been made, especially on education of the Roma. Preparations for a new programme would be made in 2017. A survey on the health and well-being of the Roma and the relevant services was currently being conducted. A specific State budget allocation had been earmarked for providing culturally sensitive social and health services in Sámi in the Sámi Homeland. With respect to the key projects of the Government, €40 million had been allocated to children and families, while €30 million had been allocated to developing services for the elderly. 7