A/HRC/17/2 recommendation to further strengthen measures to combat discrimination against minorities, including Muslim communities, Algeria appreciated the fact that Australia’s new multicultural policy included a national anti-racism partnership and strategy, the establishment of the Australian Multicultural Council and other programmes of multiculturalism. It also commended the Government’s commitment to increase ODA to 0.7 per cent of GDP. 472. The Republic of Moldova acknowledged Australia’s long-standing engagement with the international community on human rights and welcomed its acceptance of many recommendations. It particularly welcomed Australia’s commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to ensure compliance with international fair trial guarantees, including in the fight against terrorism, and to draw up a framework of measures to ensure equality of rights for persons with disabilities. 473. The Islamic Republic of Iran remained concerned about various human rights violations in Australia, including emerging new forms of racism and Islamophobia, violations of the human rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers due to hard-line immigration policies, restrictions on indigenous peoples, especially women and children, regarding access to health and education, and the use of harsh force and Tasers by the police against various groups of people. It called on Australia to take the legitimate concerns expressed by the international community seriously and to take effective legal and practical measures to address them promptly. 474. New Zealand welcomed Australia’s commitment to accepting in full or in part most of New Zealand’s recommendations, and highlighted the broad consultations undertaken by Australia in preparation for the universal periodic review process, noting also that it had taken the innovative step of tabling concluding observations from treaty bodies and recommendations of the review in its Parliament. New Zealand welcomed Australia’s stated goal of advancing the social and economic rights of its indigenous peoples and the fact that Australia had developed specific targets for this work. It also acknowledged the development of Australia’s new multicultural policy. 475. Morocco congratulated Australia on its engagement in human rights and the progress realized concerning the rights of indigenous people. This demonstrated Australia’s commitment to a multicultural society based on tolerance, diversity and inclusiveness. Morocco was pleased that Australia had accepted its three recommendations on combating discrimination, promoting multiculturalism and social integration and strengthening the participation of indigenous women in decision-making. 476. Belgium thanked Australia for having taken into consideration its recommendations concerning the discrimination of indigenous populations and the respect for human rights in countering terrorism. Concerning its recommendation to repeal legal provisions authorizing the sterilization of disabled persons, which Australia had only partially accepted, it wished to know the nature of the “best interest” test that Australia applied in this regard. Belgium hoped that the Attorney-General’s dialogue with his counterparts in the States and Territories would allay concerns on this matter. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 477. The Australian Human Rights Commission commended the Government for its frank and robust engagement in the universal periodic review process. It welcomed the voluntary commitments made by Australia during the process, including incorporating all accepted recommendations into its forthcoming National Action Plan on Human Rights, and making an interim report to the Human Rights Council prior to Australia’s next review. The Commission also welcomed the Government’s acceptance of the recommendations GE.12-13630 155