A/HRC/10/11/Add.3 page 15 Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.15 The government emphasizes: “that there are two and a half million Greeks who identify themselves as Macedonians (Makedones) in the regional/cultural context and that attempts to usurp the name and national and cultural identity by using the term “Macedonian” to describe a so-called minority are unacceptable.”16 The government suggests that “insignificant” numbers of votes gained by the Rainbow political party is evidence of a lack of popular support for their claims. IV. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE ROMA 50. Discrimination against Roma is experienced in Greece as in other European countries, although some Roma are relatively well integrated into society. Community members described a high level of societal discrimination in all fields of life including education, housing and employment. 51. The Government does not consider the Roma a minority within Greece, rather a vulnerable social group consisting of 250,000 to 300,000 persons. It notes that this viewpoint is shared by Roma who consider themselves an integral part of Greek society. Government officials revealed a widely held belief that Roma are responsible for many of the problems that they face. One official noted: “The Greek State would like to integrate Roma fully, but they don’t like that a different style of life is imposed on them.” 52. The Independent Expert visited three Roma settlements: near Spata, Aspropyrgos, and in the municipality of St. Varvara. A. Housing and employment 53. The Roma settlement near Spata is located on a hill top five kilometers from the town, accessible only via a rough track. The community was relocated by the local government in 2000 after being evicted from a previous location on the outskirts of the town. It is therefore a temporary State sponsored settlement on land ceded by the State. Prefabricated housing units were provided from the State budget. Currently over 20 families including about 20 children of primary school age, live on the site. Unverified claims suggest that the site was previously used for disposal of toxic waste. 54. The settlement is not serviced with electricity, running water or regular garbage/waste collection services. It relies on generators and two water storage tanks provide water for washing and drinking. Community members described problems including lack of adequate quantities of water and poor water quality due to mould inside the storage tanks. Human waste is stored in 15 The government notes that scholars in international linguistic conferences have sought to avoid confusion caused, by using the term “Slav Macedonian” instead of “Macedonian language”, whenever they refer to the language of the former Yugoslav of Macedonia, in order to preserve the distinction of the Macedonian language of the Ancient Macedonians, as well as to underline the Slavic character of the language of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 16 Memorandum from the Government of Greece to the Independent Expert.