A/HRC/39/9
82.
Israel commended Germany for its national action plans against racism and human
trafficking and its efforts to combat anti-Semitism.
83.
In response to questions and comments, the delegation of Germany stated that the
National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights contained 50 measures that addressed
a range of issues, such as procurement by companies, including those under State
ownership. The Interministerial Committee for Business and Human Rights would be
responsible for monitoring and implementing the Plan. A number of measures had been
introduced to promote equal opportunities and to close the gender pay gap, which included
further development of childcare support for parents, the promotion of equal participation
of men and women in managerial positions and the introduction of measures to promote
pay transparency.
84.
The Government had taken initiatives to combat racism and extremism at the
federal, lander and municipal levels of governance. Those measures included the allocation
of funds and the amendment of legislation to ensure more effective prosecution of racist
crimes, racist remarks and hate speech. Furthermore, the Network Enforcement Act, which
came into effect on 1 October 2017, had placed an obligation on social networks with more
than 2 million registered users in Germany to provide an effective complaints mechanism
for specific illegal content and to delete manifestly unlawful content within 24 hours of
being reported.
85.
Police controls were conducted on the basis of police findings and objective criteria
that could be reviewed by courts. That meant that the look of a person could not be the sole
factor for performing police measures.
86.
In 2017, about 290,000 people had participated in government-financed language
and integration courses for the first time. To enable parents to attend the language courses,
childcare facilities had been provided. Migration counselling had also been made available
for adults.
87.
It was important for Germany to work towards a society that accepted, supported
and promoted sexual and gender diversity. Following rulings from the Federal
Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Germany, the Government had intended to
introduce into law the option of a third gender. Intersex children were better protected
against irreversible and unnecessary medical interventions.
88.
Measures had been taken to protect children against sexual violence and
exploitation, including a revision of the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal
Procedure to offer better protection to children throughout court proceedings. Therapy
services for victims had also improved.
89.
A national federal cooperation network had been established to assist in the
prevention of the exploitation of children, including the coordinated cooperation of youth
welfare offices, police and counselling agencies.
90.
Democracy and human rights education was part of the curricula at all school levels.
Universities also had research priorities and chairs specially dedicated to human rights
education and research.
91.
In 2018, Germany celebrated 100 years of women’s suffrage. However, there had
been setbacks in the political participation of women at the federal level.
92.
There was a diversified system of assistance for women victims of violence. There
were 350 women shelters and more than 40 protective apartments with more than 6,000
spaces that could accommodate about 30,000 people, including the children of victims.
There were also 750 specialized agencies for counselling.
93.
Italy appreciated the attention given by Germany to human rights education and the
efforts to combat racism with the adoption of a new national action plan.
94.
Japan commended Germany for its initiatives relating to the rights of women and
children and the establishment of a child rights monitoring institution.
7