A/HRC/22/3 89. The Czech Republic condemned xenophobia and racist violence. In 2008–2009 there was a resurgence of right-wing extremists, who focused their hatred mostly on Roma. The Government responded firmly to this phenomenon. The criminal law enabled the prosecution of racist and hate attacks and speech. Problems could be encountered in practice in relation to proving hate motivation of the offender. In response, police and prosecutors had received specialized training and had access to a database of relevant information. The most visible hate crime was an arson attack committed against a Roma family. The investigation was successful and all offenders received heavy penalties. The Government also successfully proposed banning the extremist Workers’ Party. The Supreme Administrative Court established in that case clear criteria for dissolving parties for extremist propaganda while respecting freedom of association. The success in those highly visible cases had a serious impact on the extremist scene. Its principal drivers had been paralysed or significantly weakened. Subsequently, the focus shifted to preventive tools, such as training of law enforcement officials, preventive programmes and maintaining public order in socially excluded neighbourhoods. 90. The Czech Republic reported on the governmental campaign against racism, which had provided, since 2006, grants to NGOs on projects aimed at tackling prejudices and stereotypes, raising awareness against intolerance and extremist activities, and presenting examples of best practices and positive Roma role models. Moreover in 2009 and 2010, the “Gypsy Spirit” prize had been awarded to present the efforts and achievements of persons contributing to the development of Roma or the Roma culture and identity. Recently, in response to the social challenges, the Commissioner for Human Rights had initiated an action plan to synchronize future steps of all relevant stakeholders to deal with similar confrontations. Furthermore, an anti-racist campaign entitled “Hate-Free Culture” was being prepared, which was adapted to the communication of young people and aimed at creating a community that would be active in intercultural dialogue and the fight against hate violence. 91. The Czech Republic also referred to the newly adopted National Strategy for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, which focused on the best interest of the child as a crucial principle of all State activities. The Strategy strengthened coordination and cooperation among public administration bodies involved in the protection of children at risk under the lead of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; defined basic principles of protection of children’s rights; included goals and activities, with a timetable, monitoring and evaluation; and ensured that activities of all relevant subjects comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Strategy also focused on promoting the quality of life of children and families, eliminating discrimination against children and providing support for the development of children in their family or in substitute family care. The latter would be strictly prioritized over institutional care. 92. The Czech Republic stated that the principle of equal opportunities for women and men had become an integral part of both internal and foreign policy. The prohibition of discrimination on the ground of sex was included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and in the Anti-Discrimination Act. The equal position of both genders would be achieved only through consistent application of the anti-discrimination legislation. Furthermore, the Government recognized the negative role of gender stereotypes and the underrepresentation of women in decision-making processes. Therefore, the education of the whole society as regards the issue of gender equality and tolerance was another important feature of the Government policy, along with the systematic implementation of gender mainstreaming within the whole State governance. 93. The Czech Republic concluded by announcing its pledge to submit an interim progress report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of the UPR recommendations. 13