A/HRC/40/44 58. Togo reported that it had taken effective measures to ensure that, in the exercise of their functions, public officials did not discriminate against an individual on the basis of his or her religion or belief. In paragraph 3 of article 153, the General Statute of the Civil Service provided “that no action or administrative decision taken by or against a staff member can be based on regional, tribal, ethnic, political or religious considerations” and, in paragraph 4 “the official must, in all circumstances, perform his or her duties impartially, without any discrimination against public service users, and refrain from any behaviour likely to cast doubt on the neutrality of the public service”. 59. In Turkey, article 7 of Law No. 657 on civil servants provides that discrimination by civil servants when performing their duties is prohibited on the grounds of, among other things, religion and sect. Turkey reported that within the framework of the in-service training plan of the Turkish National Police, 49,040 personnel had been trained in human rights between January and November 2018. K. Fostering religious freedom and pluralism by promoting the ability of members of all religious communities to manifest their religion, and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society15 60. In Australia the Human Rights Subcommittee of the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is currently undertaking an inquiry into the protection and promotion of the human right to freedom of religion or belief worldwide, including in Australia. 16 Australia reported that the inquiry had received nearly 700 submissions. In November 2017, the Subcommittee had released an interim report, entitled “Legal foundations of religious freedom in Australia” focusing on the current status of laws protecting the freedom of religion or belief in Australia. It had held further public hearings to examine challenges to freedom of religion or belief and to determine whether Australian protection for the human right to freedom of religion or belief required further strengthening in the light of those challenges. That same month, the Government had appointed the Chair of an expert panel on religious freedom to examine whether rights relating to religious freedom were adequately protected under Australian law. The Government was now considering the findings of the expert panel review. 61. Azerbaijan reported that no cases of confrontation had been registered among religious communities in the country. Representatives of different religious communities had assisted each other financially in the construction of places of worship and in the organization of religious holidays. It also reported that 861 religious communities (830 Islamic; 20 Christian; 8 Jewish; 1 Krishna and 2 Baha’i) had been registered in the country and that the State had created the necessary conditions for all religious communities. Regular financial aid was allocated to various religious organizations, including for the purposes of renovation and reconstruction of places of worship. In 2018, under a presidential decree, funds had been allocated from the President’s Reserve Fund to religious organizations functioning in Azerbaijan. Various places of worship had been constructed or restored, both within Azerbaijan and internationally within the framework of the “Azerbaijan – address of tolerance” project. 62. Bahrain reported that the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Islamic Properties was responsible for Muslims and regulated places of worship and cemeteries, as well as the freedom to practice religion. It independently managed places of worship and properties in respect of Sunni Muslims and Jafari Muslims in the country. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development was responsible for non-Muslims and regulations pertaining to their places of worship and cemeteries. It also registered non-governmental organizations, including those owned by non-Muslims. Under Law 21 of 1989 on cultural and social associations and clubs, 19 churches and places of worship had been registered by October 2018. 15 16 Paragraph 8 (b) of resolution 37/38. See www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/ Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/Freedomofreligion/Terms_of_Reference. 11