E/CN.4/1997/71 page 32 “It is also worth mentioning the hunger strikers interned in a military hospital and denied visits by civilian doctors, and the use of military bases for police operations. “Numerous administrative circulars in the public and semi-public services and authorities lay down discriminatory treatment for the immigrant population, among them ANPE (the National Employment Agency), ASSEDIC (Family Allowance funds) and the Social Security Offices, which are required to carry out special checks and to demand supporting documents and even systematically to inform on immigrants to a specialized department in the prefectures. “Against this background an extreme right-wing politician has no hesitation in openly declaring himself a racist, confident that he will gain a political and electoral advantage.” 111. This document contained an annex entitled “Statement concerning the remarks by the Chairman of the National Front on 'racial inequality'” and a “note relating to the authorization granted to the so-called 'sans papiers' (aliens without identity documents) to reside in France”, adopted on 12 September 1996 by the plenary assembly of the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights. 112. No observation has been received from the Government of France concerning this case. 4. Special Rapporteur's observations 113. Regarding the communication dated 15 September 1996, the Special Rapporteur takes note of the reply from the Government of France. The Government is a firm believer in the rule of law and abides by the decision of the Saverne Court of Major Jurisdiction, while expressing the hope that the police will remain vigilant over skinheads' activities. 114. Following the case of the “sans papiers” in the Saint-Bernard church, on 13 November 1996 a delegation from the Confédération générale du travail (one of the major trade unions) accompanied by trade unionists from Mali and Senegal met Mr. Gilberto v. Saboia, the Ambassador of Brazil and Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, who sent a summary of the meeting to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 115. The Special Rapporteur addressed this important issue in his report to the fifty-first session of the General Assembly (A/51/301, para. 52) and in his introductory statement to the report, on 5 November 1996 at the third meeting. 116. He hopes to receive a reply from the French authorities which he can bring to the Commission's attention at its fifty-fourth session, in March 1998.