A/HRC/10/11 page 5 of living in calling on the United States Government to halt ongoing evictions and to take immediate steps to protect the human rights of African-Americans affected by Hurricane Katrina and the demolition of public housing in New Orleans, Louisiana. On 10 April 2008, the independent expert was one of seven mandates which called for restraint by all parties and transparency as mass arrests were reported in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding areas in China. On 15 July 2008, the independent expert, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants criticized as discriminatory a policy of the Government of Italy to fingerprint all Roma, emphasizing that the policy contributes to an environment of hostility, antagonism and stigmatization of the Roma. On 20 November 2008 the independent expert, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, issued a press release urging Europe-wide action to stop violence against Roma following incidents of violence in a number of European countries. 7. In pursuance of her mandate requirement to promote implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the independent expert receives information from diverse sources including Member States and non-governmental organizations regarding challenges to implementation of the Declaration and alleged violations of the rights of persons belonging to minority groups. On the basis of information received, and in order to solicit additional information from relevant States, the independent expert consults with Governments by sending communications in the form of letters of allegation, urgent appeals and thematic communications. The independent expert has consequently sent communications in relation to numerous situations involving minorities. Communications have been sent jointly with other relevant thematic mandate holders, and details are reflected in the summary reports of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received of those mandates.1 III. ACTIVITIES TO APPLY A GENDER PERSPECTIVE 8. Pursuant to the requirement under her mandate to apply a gender perspective in her work, the independent expert has placed a high priority on the issues of minority women. Information received by the independent expert consistently reveals that women belonging to minorities experience unique challenges and multiple or intersectional discrimination emanating from their status as members of minorities and as women or girls. 9. The independent expert has established a practice of holding forums dedicated to minority women’s views and voices during her country visits. She has conducted such forums during her visits to Hungary, Ethiopia, France, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Greece. These forums for 1 During the period under review the independent expert joined communications to: China, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malaysia, Slovakia and the Sudan. Details of these communications are included in the summary reports of cases transmitted to Governments of the mandates including: the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders; the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.