A/HRC/22/49/Add.1 requirements, their implementation in practice remains a low political priority. Public awareness initiatives and training of judges and prosecutors is essential. 81. The State Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner. Article 3 allows for the protection under the law of other minority groups who meet specified criteria. The Independent Expert was informed about the existence in the country of a number of additional groups, and notes that more newly settled national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups must not be excluded from minority rights protection. 82. Councils of national minorities at the State and entity levels are important advisory and consultative bodies. To fulfil their potential it is essential that the powers afforded to them are appropriate to their status, and that their reports and recommendations are taken fully into account on matters relevant to minorities. Appointment to the councils should not be unduly influenced by political parties but based on a transparent process to appoint candidates who belong to a national minority and who represent the interests of that minority. 83. The Human Rights Ombudsman is an essential independent human rights institution. Consideration should be given to strengthening its role and activities relating to minority issues, including by providing more resources to allow proactive initiatives. Ensuring appropriate representation of minorities is essential. The necessary consultative and legal steps should be taken to enable the appointment of an ombudsperson representing minorities. Such a representative should not be affiliated with the three constituent peoples already represented. 84. Challenges for religious minorities include discrimination and the vandalism and targeting of places of worship. Religious education is commonly only provided in the majority religion. Measures to avoid discrimination are required, including the recruitment of religious teachers to appropriately address the religious education requirements of minorities. No child should be penalized academically or otherwise for not attending religion classes. The Inter-Religious Council constitutes a positive practice and its role in mediating among communities should be strengthened. Efforts should be made to also consult young people, whose views and visions for the future are essential, and to support youth initiatives towards unity and integration. Census and statistics 85. The absence of accurate demographic and socioeconomic data constitutes a serious challenge to ensuring protection of minority rights. Accurate data will reveal the current picture of national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups and provide key socioeconomic information. It will facilitate development of policy and programme measures to improve the situation of national minorities and returnee communities. The census should take place according to current schedules in April 2013 and be conducted according to European Union standards. 86. Census questions should allow open and multiple responses that enable respondents to self-identify according to their national, ethnic, religious and linguistic affiliation, including multiple identities. Civil society and councils of national minorities should have a role in outreach, training and monitoring of the census process, including to promote awareness of the importance of accurate responses. Ensuring accurate data for Roma is essential and should be facilitated through outreach and information for Roma communities and training of Roma census collection staff. 19