A/HRC/7/19/Add.4 page 17 The community expressed serious concerns regarding past demolitions conducted by municipal authorities in 2004 that removed several houses from the settlement. The demolitions stopped after interventions by both the Seimas Ombudsman and the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, but concern was expressed about the uncertainty of housing rights in the future. Following the mission, the Special Rapporteur received the information that in December 2007, the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court issued a sentence granting reparations of 5,000 Litas (roughly 1,450 euros) for each of the 20 plaintiffs in the case concerning the demolitions in 2004. 56. The Roma community have denounced the widespread prejudice and discrimination that they face in various realms of social life in Lithuania. The main concern expressed by Roma leaders and families was discrimination in employment. According to some research-oriented NGOs, the unemployment rate among Roma citizens is several times higher than in the rest of the population. Individual cases of discrimination in employment were heard by the Special Rapporteur, particularly cases where Roma citizens were refused employment once the employer discovered their ethnic origin. 57. In education, the Roma community also has the lowest attainment rates, which was considered by local leaders as a matter of serious concern, especially when one considers that almost 50 per cent of Roma citizens are youth.7 At the Kirtimai settlement, courses are offered for Roma children to prepare them to start mainstream school as well as additional classes for pupils that are already attending schools. Although the existence of such a preparatory school in Kirtimai is seen as a very positive development, members of the community mentioned that Roma children are often subject to prejudice once they start regular schools, pointing to the lack of multicultural training for both teachers and pupils in these schools. Roma children have higher dropout rates than any other minority, as well as poorer educational achievement. 58. The Special Rapporteur asked Roma representatives for their views concerning the Programme for the Integration of Roma into Lithuanian Society, implemented by the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad. The general perception was that the programme was a positive step, particularly due to the formal recognition by State institutions of the difficult situation faced by the Roma community. Local leaders described the actions and projects designed by the department on a positive note and as important means to redress the situation. However, two major criticisms regarding the programme were raised. First, the programme was seen as insufficient to tackle the structural problems that the community faces, particularly regarding access to jobs. In particular, Roma leaders pointed out that the actions developed by the Department can only be successful if complemented by an engagement of the Vilnius municipal authorities, which are directly responsible for a number of practical issues concerning the Kirtimai settlement (e.g. land, access to basic services, schooling, etc). Second, Roma representatives felt that the community was not satisfactorily consulted or involved in the design and implementation of the programme and hence could not voice its major concerns and suggestions, which would have an impact on the effectiveness of State actions. 7 See ENAR Shadow Report 2006.