A/HRC/7/19/Add.5 A/HRC/7/23/Add.3 Page 31 121. The collection of data regarding the socio-economic status of the population disaggregated by racial or ethnic identities, national origin and gender lines is recommended as an essential tool to reveal the full extent of social problems experienced by persons including those belonging to different minority groups. Such data will assist in the development of appropriate and effective policies and practices to combat the effects of discrimination. 122. In parallel with a political and legal strategy, the Government should adopt an ethical and cultural strategy that tackles the deepest roots of racism and racial discrimination. Such a strategy should be built around the promotion of reciprocal knowledge of cultures and values, of interaction among the different communities, and of the link between the fight against racism and discrimination and the long-term construction of a democratic, egalitarian and interactive, multicultural society. The rich legacy and depth of multicultural interactions that have influenced Dominican society during its history must be a strategic point of entry in that regard. 123. Education must play a vital role in sensitizing the Dominican population to the historical legacy of colonization and slavery and the complex history that has characterized the relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. This is essential to eliminate the negative stigma and stereotypes constantly experienced by black persons – be they Dominicans, Dominicans of Haitian descent or Haitians. The Government is encouraged to revise school curricula and textbooks, including history books, to ensure the appropriate reflection of issues related to the human, cultural and social advantages of multiculturalism and the contributions of the different ethnic groups to the construction of the national identity of the Dominican Republic. 124. The media should initiate a broad and institutional process aimed at both assessing its role in the formation of perceptions, images and thus prejudices and promoting the important role of the media in the fight against racism and xenophobia and the promotion of tolerance and living together. The experts recommend that the media adopt a code of conduct and take steps to reflect the ethnic, cultural and spiritual diversity of the Dominican Republic in both their programmes and their organizational structure. Recommendations relating to documentation of civil status and citizenship 125. In accordance with article 11 of the Dominican Constitution, the Government of the Dominican Republic should recognize the right of all persons born on Dominican territory, including the children of a Haitian parent, to Dominican citizenship without discrimination on the grounds of the nationality or status of the parents. Considering that it is the State’s obligation to grant citizenship to those born on its territory, the Government must adopt all necessary positive measures to guarantee that Dominican-born children of Haitian heritage can access the late registration procedure in conditions of equality and non-discrimination and fully exercise and enjoy their right to Dominican nationality. The requirements to prove birth on Dominican territory should be reasonable and not represent an obstacle for acceding to the right of nationality.

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