A/HRC/21/27 backgrounds and strengthening diversity training of Government personnel. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity had developed a tool box with methods and knowledge to assist public agencies in adapting their services to the multicultural population. Norway also reported that it had taken action to prevent radicalization and violent extremism through its adoption of the Government’s Action Plan to promote equality and prevent ethnic discrimination. The Action Plan focused on four priority areas, knowledge and information, strengthening cooperation between the authorities, strengthening dialogue and greater involvement and support to vulnerable and at-risk persons. Norway also reported that its laws did not regulate the internal organization of political parties. 25. Norway had also taken several measures to raise awareness on racism and discrimination, including the Benjamin Award, given annually to a school that had distinguished itself in countering racism and discrimination. Finally, Norway reported that racism posed challenges to democracy and democratic institutions. Legal protection was necessary but not sufficient in itself to ensure equality. All sectors of the society had a role in promoting equality and preventing discrimination. Paraguay (Original: Spanish] [24 April 2012] 26. Paraguay reported that discrimination was prohibited under article 46 of its Constitution requiring measures to be taken under the law to ensure equality for all. The Criminal Code provided for the prosecution of crimes motivated by racial hatred including genocide. Although there was no ministry for human rights, as was the case with most countries in the region, the Government worked with regional mechanisms like the Meeting of High Authorities on Human Rights and Foreign Ministries of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), through working groups that met regularly, to coordinate and promote regional action to combat discrimination, racism and xenophobia. The Government also worked with the human rights network, which brought together various groups and recently launched a national human rights plan to address among other issues racial discrimination. The Constitution also provided special protection for indigenous peoples, safeguarding their culture and access to economic and social life. In its submission, Paraguay noted that it had no knowledge of extremist groups in the political and social spheres. However, it continued to face challenges in implementing the protection granted indigenous peoples under Article 65 of the Constitution to guarantee their full participation in political life and economic and social development. Peru [Original: Spanish] [26 April 2012] 27. Peru reported that its Constitution prohibited discrimination on the grounds of origin, race, sex, language, religion, opinion, economic condition or any other reason. The Penal Code covered discriminatory acts on the basis of race, religion, sex, affiliation, age, disability, language, ethnic and cultural identity, political opinion or economic condition, and all the acts having the effect of denying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of the individual rights. Recently, there has been an inclination to extend the understanding of discrimination to also cover acts to exclude or accord inferior treatment to a person or a group of persons because of their social group, limiting opportunities to realize their rights. Applicable laws provided penal, administrative and moral sanctions for discriminatory acts. In its effort to address racism in political circles and in the sphere of public opinion, Peru had declared 2012 as a “Year of National Integration and Recognition of our Diversity”, 8