A/HRC/7/19/Add.4 page 11 Ombudsperson is allowed to investigate complaints filed not only by citizens, but also foreigners and stateless persons. An important element of the Ombudsperson’s mandate is the power to initiate investigations at her discretion and not only in response to existing complaints. 27. After investigating a complaint, the Ombudsperson has an array of possible responses, including referring the case to investigative bodies, to recommend that an institution ceases to perform actions violating equal opportunities, to repeal a legal act violating equal opportunities, to impose administrative sanctions and to issue a warning about the offence committed. These recommendations are legally binding; non-compliance is liable and may lead to administrative sanctions. 28. Until September 2007, the Office of the Ombudsperson had received 20 complaints of discrimination based on ethnic origin, an increase relative to previous years. The majority of these cases concern discrimination by administrative State institutions and in the realm of employment. 29. The Ombudsperson informed the Special Rapporteur that a considerable part of her activities also refer to awareness-raising, particularly dissemination of information to people concerning their rights and training of public officials regarding non-discrimination. In this regard, the Office of the Ombudsperson has organized training courses for police officers, border security guards, the fire department, journalists and lawyers. In terms of awareness-raising, it is of particular importance to note that the year of 2007 has been declared Year for Equal Opportunities for All in Lithuania and that a number of activities in this realm have been organized by the Office of the Ombudsperson. Law on National Minorities and the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad 30. The general provisions of the Constitution are also complemented by the Law on National Minorities, which recognizes notably that “the cultural heritage connected with a national (ethnic) minority is an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Lithuania”. This Law, similarly to the Law on Equal Treatment, establishes a general prohibition on discrimination based on national or ethnic origin whilst defining positive actions to advance minority cultures. In particular, it ascertains the State obligation to promote the national consciousness and self-expression of minorities “to foster and develop the culture, language, customs and traditions of their nation or ethnic group and to preserve their national/ethnic identity” (art. 3.2). 31. The Law on National Minorities establishes a particular set of rights for persons belonging to national minorities, which includes the right to the State’s support in developing their national culture and education; the right to use the language of their national minority; the right to be taught the minority language or to receive instruction in this language; the right to receive and impart information and ideas in the minority language; the right to manifest one’s religion or belief and to establish religious communities and associations; the right to use minority symbols and celebrate minority holidays. Furthermore, the Law also establishes the principle that in areas inhabited by a large number of persons belonging to a national minority, these persons may request to address State institutions in their minority language. Implementation of the Law is entrusted to the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad.