A/HRC/22/11 challenges posed by some popular initiatives vis-à-vis fundamental freedoms. In 2010 and 2011, the Federal Council had prepared two reports proposing solutions and concrete measures to address this situation, envisaging also the possibility of extending grounds to invalidate popular initiatives to the infringement of the essence of fundamental Constitutional rights. 67. In response to recommendations that Switzerland accede to the First Optional Protocol to ICCPR, the delegation noted that the European Convention of Human Rights provided the same guarantees and a well-established control mechanism. Switzerland had joined this mechanism 35 years ago and accession to a parallel mechanism of protection thus did not seem urgent or indispensable. However, considering its commitment made during the first UPR review, the Government was indeed considering acceding to the Optional Protocol and had requested the new Resource Centre for Human Rights to prepare a comparative study on the jurisprudence of the Human Rights Committee and the Strasbourg Court. 68. On OP-CAT and the national mechanism of protection, the delegation recalled that the National Commission for the Prevention of Torture, established in 2010, was independent and tasked with visiting places of detention on a regular basis. The Commission had established a dialogue with the competent authorities and with national and regional partners. In its most recent report, the Commission had concluded that the material conditions of detention in Switzerland were generally good, although some gaps remained. 69. Regarding the situation of persons with disabilities, the process of ratifying CRPD ongoing. In that respect, the Federal Council aimed at suggesting to the Parliament the accession to the Convention within the ongoing legislative period (2011–2015). 70. Regarding the possible establishment of a national human rights institution, extensive consultations by the Federal Council had led to the conclusion that, indeed, the support such an institution could bring was necessary. In July 2009, the Federal Council had thus decided to launch the Swiss Centre of Expertise in Human Rights as a five-year pilot project. The Centre had begun its activities in May 2011 and would be subject to an evaluation in 2014, with a view to its possible continuation under the framework of the Paris Principles. 71. Concerning issues of discrimination and integration, Switzerland considered that constant efforts were required on the part of the State to address these. Given its legal and institutional specificities, Switzerland had adopted a sectorial approach. Instead of a national plan or a general law it had opted for a long-term strategy supported by the Confederation, the cantons and the communes. In line with the country’s monistic legal tradition, the ICERD provisions were considered framework law in the country and the Federal Tribunal had used them in its jurisprudence. The Federal Council and Parliament thus considered that the current legislation offered enough protection against the different forms of discrimination. Regarding racist organizations, the delegation noted that, although Switzerland did not have a specific law banning them, measures were taken against any organization pursuing an illegal purpose. 72. On the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW), the delegation noted that Switzerland, like other European countries, was not considering its accession in the near future. 73. Armenia expressed appreciation for the country’s balanced policy on national and religious minorities, as experienced by the Armenian community, with a commitment to justice, impartiality and human values. It noted its ongoing policy to protect persons with disabilities, but highlighted that migration management remained a challenge. Armenia made recommendations. 10