A/HRC/34/35 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 31/26 on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief. In paragraph 13 of resolution 31/26, the Council requested the High Commissioner to prepare and submit to it at its thirty-fourth session a comprehensive follow-up report with elaborated conclusions, based upon information provided by States, on the efforts and measures taken for the implementation of the action plan outlined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the resolution, and views on potential follow-up measures for further improvement of the implementation of that plan. 2. On 15 March 2016, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) sent a note verbale to Member States seeking contributions to the report to be prepared pursuant to resolution 31/26. Seventeen contributions were received. In sections II and III below, the High Commissioner summarizes those contributions. 1 In section IV, the High Commissioner provides some observations and views on follow-up measures for further improvement in the implementation of the action plan and in section V he draws conclusions and makes recommendations for action by Member States. II. Information received from Member States Argentina 3. Interreligious policy in Argentina is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship. The Secretary for Worship maintains the relationship between the national Government and religious entities, apart from the Roman Catholic Church. 4. The mandate of the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism includes strengthening and promoting the principle of pluralism and religious diversity; promoting the diversity of cults and confessions as a value in society; and promoting the eradication of discriminatory practices, stereotyping and prejudices, directed in particular against followers of African religions. 5. The Institute proposes initiatives in this regard and is mandated to consider complaints on diverse grounds of discrimination, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. It also provides assistance to victims of discrimination. 6. The Institute tackles the issue from different angles, including through prevention and by promoting activities, such as the Afrodescendant programme and the intercultural section, which are aimed at amplifying and effectively implementing public policies, taking into account the specific needs and realities of people of African descent. Australia 7. Australia reported that all Australians were entitled to express and practise their religion and beliefs, without intimidation or interference, provided those practices were within the framework of Australian law. The Constitution prohibited the Government from making any law establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance or prohibiting the free exercise of any religion (section 116). 8. The Constitution also contained an implied guarantee of freedom of communication in relation to political matters. That freedom could be limited only by laws that were reasonably appropriate and adapted to achieving a legitimate end or overriding public 1 2 The original texts of the contributions provided by Member States are available from http://adsdatabase.ohchr.org/.