        efforts to ensure that alleged hate crimes are thoroughly investigated, that perpetrators are prosecuted under article 161 of the Criminal Code and, if convicted, punished with appropriate sanctions, and that victims are adequately compensated. CERD (2011) urged Ukraine to accelerate the adoption of an anti-discrimination act stipulating the definition of direct/indirect and de facto/de jure discrimination. CEDAW (2010) recommended that Ukraine implement temporary special measures, including quotas, to achieve gender equality in areas where women are underrepresented or disadvantaged and for women suffering from multiple forms of discrimination, such as Roma women. CEDAW called upon Ukraine to amend the Equal Rights and Opportunities Act to strengthen the complaints and sanctions mechanisms and to bring the definition of discrimination against women into conformity with the Convention, by encompassing both direct and indirect discrimination. CEDAW recommended that Ukraine strengthen the national mechanism for the advancement of women by raising its authority and provide it with adequate resources. CEDAW also encouraged Ukraine to adopt a national plan of action with a comprehensive approach to gender equality and to allocate sufficient resources for its implementation. Noting the adoption of the Plan of Action to Combat Xenophobia and Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (2010-2012), CERD (2011) recommended that Ukraine establish institutional mechanisms to counter racial discrimination and re-activate institutions which had ceased to be operational, particularly the Inter-departmental Working Group against Xenophobia and Ethnic and Racial Intolerance. Furthermore, it recommended that Ukraine mandate the Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights with specific competence in the field of racial discrimination, in particular to process complaints and take measures in response to the victims’ concerns of racial discrimination and ensure their access to the Commissioner’s Office at the regional, district and municipal levels. CERD recommended that Ukraine establish civil and administrative liability for racial discrimination, including hateful opinions spread by the media and guarantee remedies and compensation to victims. CERD urged Ukraine to: investigate hate crimes; ensure that the police do not engage in racial or ethnic profiling and bring perpetrators to justice. CERD strongly recommended that the State party closely monitor the activities of extremist organizations, and adopt legal and policy measures with the aim of preventing their registration and disbanding their activities, as necessary, and ensuring the protection of foreigners and members of “visible minorities” against all acts of violence. CRC (2011) urged Ukraine to ensure that all children enjoy their rights without discrimination on any ground. The HR Committee (2013) recommended the State party to strengthen its efforts to combat hate speech and racist attacks, by, inter alia, instituting awareness-raising campaigns aimed at promoting respect for human rights and tolerance for diversity. The State party should also step up its efforts to ensure that alleged hate crimes are thoroughly investigated, that perpetrators are prosecuted under article 161 of the Criminal Code and, if convicted, punished with appropriate sanctions, and that victims are adequately compensated. Anti-discrimination legal framework CESCR (2014) The State party should expedite the adoption of amendments to its anti-discrimination legislation to ensure adequate protection against discrimination in line with article 2(2) of the Covenant, taking also into account the Committee’s general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights, inter alia by: (a) explicitly including all the prohibited grounds for discrimination listed in article 2(2) of the Covenant in its comprehensive anti-discrimination law; 180 | P a g e