CERD/C/DZA/CO/15-19 Promotion of economic, social and cultural rights of Amazighs 15. The Committee is concerned by reports about economic disparities, affecting in particular the regions inhabited by Amazighs, who allegedly do not benefit from adequate public investment. In addition, while it takes note of the activities of the High Commission on Amazighness, the Committee is concerned by the lack of information on consultation and involvement of Amazighs in those activities and on the real impact of the activities on the promotion of Amazighs’ rights (art. 5). The Committee recommends that the State party step up its development efforts in the most disadvantaged regions, especially those inhabited by Amazighs. The Committee also recommends that the role and activities of the High Commission on Amazighness be strengthened and that its activities be carried out both for and with the Amazighs in a manner that ensures respect for their rights and freedoms. The Committee invites the State party to include in its next periodic report information on the results of the High Commission’s work and the impact of its activities. Right to use Amazigh first names 16. The Committee is concerned by the fact that civil registrars in certain wilaya communes refuse to register Amazigh first names on the ground that they do not appear on “the list of Algerian first names” (art. 5). The Committee takes note of the information provided by the State party concerning the revision of the list of first names to include 500 Amazigh first names, and recommends that it take the necessary steps to ensure, de facto and de jure, that all Algerians can freely choose their children’s first names and register them with a civil registrar without encountering discrimination of any kind. Situation of women, especially Amazigh women 17. While the Committee commends the State party on the measures adopted to increase the number of women in decision-making positions, it is concerned by the fact that Amazigh women risk being subjected to double discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and gender (art. 5). The Committee draws the attention of the State party to general recommendation No. 25 (2000), concerning gender-related dimensions of racial discrimination, and recommends that it continue to promote women’s rights, focusing in particular on Amazigh women. Situation of non-citizens, including migrants and refugees 18. The Committee is concerned by the failure to apply legislation establishing the right to asylum. While noting the adoption of Act No. 09-02, concerning legal assistance, which is available to any legal alien present in Algeria, the Committee is concerned by the absence of procedures to allow irregular migrants to lodge complaints (arts. 5 and 6). The Committee recommends that the State party adopt the bill on the right to asylum expeditiously with a view to the implementation of the international treaties that Algeria has ratified on the right to asylum and the granting of refugee status without any form of discrimination. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to the need to facilitate the integration of migrants and refugees living on its soil and to provide access to justice for undocumented migrants in the event of an infringement of their fundamental rights. 4 GE.13-42646