A/HRC/7/23/Add.2 page 23 governmental sources. The terminology of “positive discrimination” was commonly used, which she believes creates misleading perceptions of “privileges” given to people from certain sectors of society at the expense of others. Using such terminology sabotages public support from programmes that generate equality in ways that benefit everyone. 80. A wider debate is required on the issue in France that is open, informed and inclusive, and that builds on the experiences of other United Nations Member States and the recommendations of regional and international institutions. Such a debate should be framed by the concept of special measures/affirmative action as it is understood in international standards, including articles 1.4 and 2.2 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 81. The independent expert shares the view of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that efforts to combat discrimination in France are hampered by inadequate statistical information on the grounds of race, ethnicity or religion. She welcomes the current debate regarding the use of statistical data, including its constitutionality, and hopes this debate will continue to be informed by the experiences and practice of other European countries.20 82. The collection of data regarding the socio-economic status of the population disaggregated by ethnic and religious identities as well as along gender lines is recommended as an essential tool to reveal the full extent of social problems experienced by persons belonging to different ethnic and religious minority groups. Such data will assist in the development of appropriate and effective policies and practices to combat the effects of discrimination. 83. The Government should undertake confidence-building and awareness-raising measures among all communities, including minority groups, to promote and encourage participation in voluntary data collection, including census registration, and allay fears that data collection will be used as a means of deepening rather than combating discrimination. 84. The Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat Racism, Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia has been inactive since 2005 and should be reinstated and convened on a regular basis. Such a body offers the potential to ensure coordinated policies and practices across the ministries, recognizing their interrelated mandates and the need for holistic approaches in efforts to combat racism and discrimination and to promote the rights of minorities. 20 On 15 November 2007, the Constitution Council, in its decision No. 2007-557 DC, approved Law No. 2007-1631 relating to control of immigration, integration and asylum, without article 63 relating to racial or ethnic data, which it declared contrary to the Constitution.