A/HRC/15/42 to 12 February 2010 in Lima. Organized in collaboration with OHCHR field presences in Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Ecuador and the regional office in Chile, colleagues from other field offices in the region also participated in the two activities. A manual on the rights of persons belonging to minorities and a compilation of recommendations by treaty bodies on the promotion and protection of the rights of Afro-descendants in the three countries were prepared for the activity. III. Treaty bodies A. Concluding observations from treaty bodies 29. In exercising their competence to receive and consider initial and periodic reports of States parties, treaty bodies can enquire about measures being taken to protect minorities; make observations, particularly when such measures fall short of treaty obligations; and issue recommendations on improving compliance with treaty provisions. 1. Human Rights Committee Ninety-fifth session (16 March–3 April 2009) 30. In the Committee’s concluding observations for its ninety-fifth session, it expressed concern about the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials against racial minorities in Australia, as well as about the greater number of cases of discrimination against persons of Muslim background, despite measures taken by the State party to combat Islamophobia. 31. Regarding the report submitted by Sweden, the Committee welcomed the inclusion of a provision in the Constitution prohibiting discrimination by public institutions on the grounds of, inter alia, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation. The Committee remained concerned, however, about manifestations of intolerance directed towards members of minority groups in school settings. Ninety-sixth session (13–31 July 2009) 32. At its ninety-sixth session, the Committee, in its concluding observations on the State report submitted by the United Republic of Tanzania, expressed concern that the State party did not recognize the existence of indigenous peoples and minorities on its territory. In its concluding observations on the State report submitted by the Netherlands, the Committee expressed concern at reports of discrimination against minorities in the workplace, including their recruitment and selection. 33. In relation to the State report submitted by Azerbaijan, the Committee expressed concern at the lack of information on minorities and the absence of clarification by the delegation about the steps taken to address other significant concerns, in particular the reduction in legal guarantees relating to the protection of minorities in the State party’s law on the State language (2002) and the absence of consultative structures for representatives of minorities in the nation. Ninety-seventh session (12–30 October 2009) 34. At its ninety-seventh session, the Committee expressed its concern at the sharp rise in apparent anti-Semitic incidents occurring in Switzerland, and at reports that the police in Geneva had not fully investigated the pattern of those incidents. It was also concerned at the generally low rate of minorities in the police force, despite the high percentage of 8 GE.10-14893