A/HRC/31/56/Add.1 Roman Catholic population of Brazil decreased from 74 per cent to 65 per cent, while the percentage of Evangelicals has been rising. There are also a number of minority religions in Brazil, including traditional Afro-religions. In addition, Brazil is home to various indigenous faiths and spiritualities, as well as sizeable Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish communities, among others. III. Methodology 16. The Special Rapporteur focuses on minority groups whose non-dominant status requires measures to allow them to exercise their rights to the fullest. The Special Rapporteur also observes that, in accordance with general comment No. 23 (1994) of the Human Rights Committee on article 27 (rights of minorities), the existence of minorities is neither dependent on a decision by the State alone nor limited to officially recognized minorities, but should be based on objective and subjective criteria and the principle of selfidentification. 17. Thus despite their numerical majority, in view of their non-dominant situation, widespread marginalization and self-identification as a political minority, one focus of the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Brazil was the situation of Afro-Brazilians, including Quilombo and other traditional communities, as well as Terreiro Afro-religious communities. The Special Rapporteur therefore views her visit as a follow-up to the visit to Brazil in 2014 of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (see A/HRC/27/68/Add.1). 18. The Special Rapporteur has also focused on the situation of the Roma (Ciganos), who, despite being present in Brazil for many centuries have remained a largely invisible minority. 19. The Special Rapporteur further observed that Brazilian society is currently experiencing demographic changes. As it gains economic strength, Brazil is increasingly becoming a country of destination for migrants, as well as refugees and asylum seekers, who are often in vulnerable situations in society. These communities often lack adequate access to social services. In particular, the Special Rapporteur learned of large communities of Bolivian migrant workers, often employed in low-paid and even exploitative jobs, as well as the recent migration of considerable numbers of Haitians, some of whom have been victims of violent attacks, apparently on account of their race and nationality. There are also reports of abuses against other new migrant communities, in particular those from Africa, who seem to be particularly targeted on account of their racial identity. While it was beyond the scope of the visit to fully analyse the situation of these migrant communities, she observes that, as these groups begin and to identify as Brazilian minorities, Brazil must remain attentive to their rights, in accordance with the Declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (A/RES/47/135), and remain vigilant against discrimination against these communities. 20. Finally, although indigenous peoples are an important minority in Brazil, facing significant human rights challenges, in view of the specific international legal framework developed for the rights of indigenous peoples (see A/HRC/12/34/Add.2), the visit of the Special Rapporteur did not focus on the situation of indigenous peoples. 5