A/HRC/25/8 of relevant ministries and departments, national human rights institutions as well as NGOs, to ensure the implementation of the plan. 9. Mauritius indicated that the Human Rights Action Plan advocates a number of measures, including strengthening international cooperation on human rights through ratification of human rights instruments; domestication of human rights treaties; greater realization of economic, social and cultural rights; strengthening women’s rights in the context of equal opportunities; better protection and safeguarding of the rights of vulnerable persons. 10. Additionally, a database of human rights indicators to monitor progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Action Plan is in the process of being finalized with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Mauritius. 11. Mauritius noted that in 2012, the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, the Police Complaints Act and the National Preventive Mechanism Act were passed so as to broaden the mandate and functions of the National Human Rights Commission in line with international best practices. It provided details in this regard. 12. It was highlighted that the National Preventive Mechanism Division of the National Human Rights Commission gives effect to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). It is responsible for visiting places of detention in order to ensure that persons deprived of liberty are protected against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and is also mandated to investigate complaints made by detainees and make recommendations on the treatment of persons in custody. 13. Mauritius also indicated that in 2012, the Equal Opportunities Act was enacted to provide better protection against all forms of discrimination. This Act aims at eliminating direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of age, caste, creed, ethnic origin, impairment, marital status, place of origin, political opinion, race, sex or sexual orientation. 14. As regards political representation of women, Mauritius highlighted that the Local Government Act, which was passed in 2011, stipulates that any group presenting more than two candidates in an electoral ward during municipal and village council elections shall ensure that the candidates are not of the same sex. The Constitution was also amended in this regard. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of women standing as candidates. and elected in recent elections. 15. On the question of domestic violence, Mauritius stated that the Government was aware of the need to address the issue in all its forms, and that it was endeavouring to curb gender-based violence by 2015. It provided detailed information on a number of initiatives adopted, including a National Action Plan to Combat Domestic Violence launched in 2011, the undertaking of a series of awareness programmes and special programmes aimed at young people. 16. On the rights of the disabled, Mauritius recalled that it had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010 and submitted its report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last year. Various measures adopted to ensure that disabled persons are not deprived of their rights were outlined. 17. Mauritius noted that it had made a reservation on article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which deals with situations of risks and humanitarian emergencies, and explained that measures to include the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities in such situations are being addressed. It added that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill currently being prepared includes provisions for the disabled. Once the law is passed, the Government will withdraw the reservation. 4