A/HRC/48/8 8. Belgium had undertaken to put in place a national human rights institution that covered all fundamental rights throughout the territory, in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). The establishment of the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in 2019 was a step forward insofar as the Institute had federal jurisdiction and would gain interfederal status at a later stage, thus ensuring full coverage of human rights. It was also possible for the federated entities to set up their own institutions. The federated entities and the federal Government were to sign a cooperation agreement setting out a shared vision. 9. One major priority was the implementation of reforms to improve conditions of detention. Long-term structural changes were being made in three areas: work on buildings in order to reduce prison overcrowding by 15 per cent; the application of the law on the personal situation of prisoners; and the use of non-custodial measures in order to further reduce overcrowding. The Minister wished to stress that a comprehensive reform of psychiatric detention had been carried out. 10. Regarding respect for human rights in the context of law enforcement, the police regulations were based on the principles of impartiality, integrity and dignity. Under those regulations, all forms of discrimination were prohibited. Ethnic profiling was also banned in Belgium. Oversight was carried out by bodies in each of the three branches of government and within the police force. Police officers’ compliance with the law, including the provisions designed to protect human rights, was effectively monitored by these bodies. Where necessary, criminal penalties or other sanctions were imposed. 11. The fight against all forms of discrimination was a matter of particular importance to Belgium. Various initiatives designed to strengthen the existing laws against racism were being or had been undertaken, including at the federal level. In June 2019, the Decade for People of African Descent had been proclaimed at the national level. Civil society consultations had been held in early October 2019 as part of the process of preparing a national plan against racism that was to be launched in 2021. 12. As a result of its efforts to close the gender pay gap, Belgium had one of the smallest such gaps in the world. Reducing the gender pension gap remained a priority. In 2011, Belgium had adopted binding quotas in various sectors, both public and private, which had had a tangible impact. The implementation of the 2014–2019 Federal Plan for Gender Mainstreaming had been evaluated and a plan for the period 2021–2025 was being prepared. Lastly, in response to the health crisis, an analysis of the gender dimension of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Belgium had been carried out. 13. As of 2018, transgender persons no longer had to meet specific medical criteria to have their registered sex and given name officially amended. The Interfederal Action Plan to Combat Discrimination and Violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Persons for the period 2018–2019 had been launched and a new plan was being prepared. 14. A large number of measures had been taken at different levels of government with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities. At the federal level, since 2018 labour inspectors had been able to make “mystery calls”. In addition, the legislation on public procurement had been amended in order to promote the use of adapted work enterprises. 15. The objectives of the third Federal Anti-Poverty Plan (2016–2019) had included the reduction of child poverty. That remained a priority of the fourth plan. One approach involved tackling the structural causes of poverty at the local level. The Communities and the Regions had developed a number of plans with an impact on poverty. 16. Regarding asylum and migration, unaccompanied foreign minors were never detained in closed centres. Instead, they stayed in specialized centres. In 2020, Belgium had strengthened its procedures relating to the principle of non-refoulement. 17. Belgium, an open and democratic society that attached great importance to human rights, had not been spared from terrorist attacks. The Government remained firmly committed to protecting those values, having opted for a resolutely holistic approach to the fight against violent extremism and terrorism. Prevention, enforcement and due diligence GE.21-09330 3