E/CN.4/2000/16 page 5 Introduction 1. This report has been submitted in accordance with resolution 1999/78 (III) adopted by the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-fifth session. It should be read in conjunction with the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur to the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly (A/54/347). 2. The present report, which comprises six chapters, contains information on the activities of the Special Rapporteur in 1999 (chap. I) and measures taken by Governments following a field visit or on their own initiative (chaps. II and V). Attention is drawn to the most significant racist acts and the discriminatory practices of 1999 (chap. III). The Special Rapporteur also discusses the allegations he has received and transmitted to the Governments concerned (chap. IV) and lastly lists his conclusions and recommendations (chap. VI). I. ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR A. Field visits 1. Mission to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania 3. The Special Rapporteur visited Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania from 20 to 30 September to investigate the situation of the Roma in those countries. His findings are contained in document E/CN.4/2000/16/Add.1. B. Missions under consideration by the Special Rapporteur 4. During the year 2000, in order to amplify his analysis of the situation in different parts of the world and consider, along with the parties concerned, the allegations brought to his attention, the Special Rapporteur intends to visit Australia, Peru and possibly India. II. REPLIES OF GOVERNMENTS TO THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR’S REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 5. In accordance with paragraph 28 of resolution 1999/78, the Special Rapporteur addressed a circular letter on 17 May 1999 to Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations. This chapter includes the main points of the replies relating specifically to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate which were received from the Governments of Belarus, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Indonesia and Iraq. The Special Rapporteur has also received from the Governments of Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands copies of periodic reports recently submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; these reports contain useful information on the various measures taken in these three countries and may be consulted under the symbols CERD/C/319/Add.1, CERD/C/320/Add.2 and CERD/C/319/Add.2, respectively. The communications from South Africa, Kuwait and France refer specifically to the follow-up of field missions and are summarized in chapter V. The full text of these communications containing additional information can be consulted in the secretariat of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.