A/HRC/44/12 92. Albania welcomed the adoption of a national plan to combat racism and hate crime. 93. Algeria expressed thanks for the national report. 94. Angola commended Sweden on embracing the Paris Agreement on climate change and on adopting a human rights strategy. 95. Argentina congratulated Sweden on a high rate of women’s participation in political and public life. 96. Armenia expressed its appreciation for the steps taken to combat racism and hate crimes. 97. Australia commended Sweden on its commitment to human rights and encouraged further progress in that area. 98. Austria commended Sweden on actions taken to combat racism and hate crime. 99. Azerbaijan extended its gratitude for the national report and presentation. 100. The Bahamas welcomed the establishment of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency. 101. Bahrain commended Sweden for combating discrimination against religious minorities. 102. Bangladesh welcomed the country’s 10-year national strategy aimed at preventing and combating violence against women. 103. Barbados noted the incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law in 2020. 104. Belarus noted a strategy on human rights and the incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic legislation. 105. Belgium congratulated Sweden on its achievements while noting there was room for further progress. 106. Benin welcomed efforts to improve the normative and institutional framework for the protection of human rights. 107. Bhutan noted with appreciation the establishment of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency. 108. Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the country’s commitment to protect human rights through cooperation with all stakeholders. 109. Botswana welcomed a national strategy on human rights and the inclusion of human rights education in school curricula. 110. The delegation of Sweden stressed that safeguarding human rights was a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy. In response to some ongoing threats to democratic principles around the world, the Government had launched the “Drive for Democracy” initiative to provide support in strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Additionally, Sweden had launched a national campaign to reinforce democracy and its values with an emphasis on 2021, the year in which Swedish democracy would be celebrating its 100th anniversary. 111. In order to strengthen opportunities for the Sami people to influence and participate in decision-making, the Government had drafted and circulated for comments a memorandum on consultation on matters concerning the Sami people and prepared a draft bill on that subject. The Government strengthened the opportunity for stakeholder consultations under the Mineral Act. 112. In 2017, three States, including Sweden, and the three Sami parliaments, concluded negotiations on a Nordic Sami Convention. The draft text was forwarded to the Sami parliaments for their final consideration. Requests for amendments received from the Sami parliaments had been considered by the States although Sweden had not opposed a limited negotiating mandate to enable negotiations to the amendments to the initial draft. The Convention would play an important role in strengthening the rights of the Sami people to preserve their languages, culture and livelihoods. Sweden intended to work towards the ratification of the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). 7