A/HRC/37/26 geographical distribution, identity and socioeconomic status of those groups. Collection and statistical analysis of disaggregated data on minorities were essential tools for designing and monitoring adequate policies and targeted plans for minorities. In the process of the collection and analysis of disaggregated data, provision should be made to safeguard against discrimination, stigmatization and any misuse of sensitive information, in accordance with international standards of personal data protection and privacy (see A/HRC/34/53, para. 72). 48. In her report, the Special Rapporteur also concluded that disaggregated data gathering should be conducted at the national, regional and local levels through the national census and periodic social surveys, accompanied by appropriate statistical analysis. It was essential to include data takers from diverse backgrounds, including minority persons, especially in territories where minorities were concentrated. Census questions should allow for open and multiple responses that would enable respondents to self-identify according to their national, ethnic, religious and linguistic affiliation, including multiple identities. It was necessary to develop various socioeconomic indicators and indices to assess adequately the possible marginalization of and discrimination against minorities with respect to, inter alia, access to education, employment, health, housing and public services (ibid., para. 73). 49. Treaty bodies remain concerned that the data provided by a number of States (a) do not give the ethnic composition of the population in the State and (b) do not provide a comprehensive appraisal of the enjoyment of rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. Recommendations and comments have been made in particular by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with respect to a wide range of countries.21 The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent at its nineteenth and twentieth sessions recommended that States should make a genuine commitment to the standard of leaving no one behind by collecting disaggregated data (A/HRC/36/60). To monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, it will be important to improve the availability of and access to data and statistics disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. The creation of those indicators should include the use of data from the existing mechanisms for monitoring compliance with human rights standards, especially the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council and reviews of compliance with all human rights treaties. 50. The importance of data collection is also evident in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals. While minorities are not explicitly mentioned in any of the existing Goals, targets or indicators, the participation of minorities should be a key component of future deliberations. The disaggregation of data plays a crucial role in identifying and addressing those left behind and the reasons behind such trends. The engagement of minorities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is crucial to meeting related human rights commitments. Member States should facilitate the involvement and consultation of minorities and their participation in the voluntary national reviews and in processes at the national level to plan, implement and monitor national frameworks for the 2030 Agenda, including in capacity-building. 51. At the country level, in her report on her official visit to the Republic of Moldova, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues noted that the results of the 2004 census were largely outdated. She recommended that the Government make all the arrangements necessary to allow the National Statistics Bureau to process the data, publish the results of the 2014 census as a matter of urgency and provide that data disaggregated by, inter alia, gender, ethnicity, language and religious affiliation. Such an analysis could be crucial to highlighting the vulnerability of different population groups and enabling legislators and policymakers to establish targeted programmes for them (A/HRC/34/53/Add.2). 52. With respect to her visit to Sri Lanka, the Special Rapporteur stressed that specific interventions to address the needs of different minority groups should be based on accurate data that were disaggregated by, inter alia, gender, ethnicity, language and religious 21 See, for example, CERD/C/FIN/CO/23, paras. 6–7, CERD/C/KEN/CO/5-7, paras. 7–8, CERD/C/ARE/CO/18-21, paras. 5–6, and CERD/C/TJK/CO/9-11, paras. 5–6. 13