A/HRC/33/7 reached 49.8 per cent. The National Commission had made recommendations and stressed the negative effect of austerity on human rights and democratic institutions. 9. While implementing the most recent financial agreement, Greece had striven to protect the rights of vulnerable persons. In March 2015, a law had been adopted to ensure provision of basic goods and services to persons and families living in extreme poverty. The ongoing pension reform aimed at developing a fair and rational social security system. Financial constraints could not be used as an excuse for shortcomings in human rights protection and every effort was being made to give full effect to all international human rights conventions. Nevertheless, the case of Greece presented proof that undermining economic and social rights could not leave civil and political rights intact. 10. As a consequence of the economic crisis, the gender gap had widened in the labour market and unemployment and inactivity rates had risen. The National Programme for Substantive Gender Equality 2010-2015 had been designed before the escalation of the economic crisis and had managed to only partially mitigate the effect of the crisis on gender equality. Laws adopted in early 2016 had established health coverage for all uninsured individuals, including members of vulnerable groups, giving them free access to the public health system, and promoted easier access to medical care and treatment at zero or nearzero cost. 11. The reception of more than 1 million refugees and irregular migrants since the beginning of 2015 had had a direct effect on Greece. Greeks, who themselves were suffering financial distress, had welcomed them and addressed their immediate needs, despite voices all over Europe calling for closed borders, which, inter alia, had resulted in further deaths at sea. Racist attacks had not increased during that period, although Greece remained fully aware of the danger of rising racism and xenophobia, as was the case in many European countries. 12. Unilateral measures resulting in border closures along the Western Balkans migratory route had left around 55,000 people stranded in Greece. Greece would not cease to uphold fundamental rights and principles and address its humanitarian obligations. The coastguards had done their utmost in search and rescue operations; national stakeholders and the European Union had provided additional resources for that purpose. The delegation provided statistics on the rescues in 2015 and 2016, including on those who had regrettably lost their lives attempting to cross the Aegean. Receptions centres had been created in the Eastern Aegean islands and nationwide, while some people benefited from rental subsidies and host family programmes. Regrettably, many people had insisted on staying around Eidomeni owing to misinformation. They would be moved in May, without use of force, when the necessary reception camps were ready. 13. Greece had adopted the legal framework for the implementation of the March 2016 agreement between the European Union and Turkey. The numbers of asylum requests under consideration and the pre-registration requests for asylum were growing. The task was enormous, given the limited resources and the growing pressure to close borders and speed up procedures. However, Greece would not undermine the human rights principles that guaranteed the right to seek asylum and prohibited collective expulsions. Most of the difficulties arose from contradictions in European policy on migration and asylum. Constant efforts were being made to increase the capacity of the Asylum Service. 14. Protecting unaccompanied minors was of the utmost priority. Serious challenges remained, but the relevant legislation was under review. The new framework provided for a registry of guardians with specific duties and obligations who would be inspected by a monitoring body. 4