A/HRC/7/19/Add.4 page 24 90. The Government should extend and reinforce its National Programme for the Integration of Roma in the Lithuanian Society, aiming at both promoting and respecting their cultural identity and at eradicating their social and economic marginalization, in particular poor housing conditions, the high level of dropouts and poor attainment of Roma children at school and the difficulties of Roma to access employment. The Programme should also have a strong component that focuses on non-Roma citizens, sensitizing Lithuanian society at large to Roma history and traditions, in order to eliminate the negative stigma and stereotypes with which Roma are recurrently associated. Furthermore, as many of the actions that are required to improve the living conditions in Roma settlements need to take place at the municipal level, Vilnius authorities should work in close collaboration with the national Government to follow its overarching priorities and legal obligations to grant the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights to the Roma community. 91. In parallel with a political and legal strategy, the Government and civil society should adopt an intellectual, ethical and cultural strategy that addresses the deepest roots of racism, xenophobia and intolerance and is built around the promotion of reciprocal knowledge of cultures and values, the interaction among the different communities and the link between the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination and the long-term construction of a democratic, equalitarian and interactive multicultural society. 92. The process of building a multicultural society in Lithuania should be based on two principles: respect for the historical truth and non-discrimination against minorities. Due to historical and geographical factors, a focus on national and regional dynamics is also central. The success of this initiative will also depend on the active involvement and participation of minorities in the construction of a new multicultural nation that is fully respected by all countries in the region. 93. Civil society in Lithuania should further strengthen and reinforce its monitoring role for human rights violations, particularly in the realm of racism and discrimination. In particular, NGOs or alliances of NGOs should strive to offer potential victims with legal counsel and access to international instruments, both at the international and regional levels. This includes developing closer communication channels with treaty bodies, especially the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and special procedures, to bring to these mechanisms’ attention allegations of violations taking place in the country. -----