Chapter C: Functions and responsibilities of specialised bodies Principle 3 Subject to national circumstances, law and practice, specialised bodies should possess as many as possible of the following functions and responsibilities: a. to work towards the elimination of the various forms of discrimination set out in the preamble and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons belonging to all the different groups in society; b. to monitor the content and effect of legislation and executive acts with respect to their relevance to the aim of combating racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance and to make proposals, if necessary, for possible modifications to such legislation; c. to advise the legislative and executive authorities with a view to improving regulations and practice in the relevant fields; PART IV d. to provide aid and assistance to victims, including legal aid, in order to secure their rights before institutions and the courts; e. subject to the legal framework of the country concerned, to have recourse to the courts or other judicial authorities as appropriate if and when necessary; f. to hear and consider complaints and petitions concerning specific cases and to seek settlements either through amicable conciliation or, within the limits prescribed by the law, through binding and enforceable decisions; g. to have appropriate powers to obtain evidence and information in pursuance of its functions under f. above; h. to provide information and advice to relevant bodies and institutions, including State bodies and institutions; i. to issue advice on standards of anti-discriminatory practice in specific areas which might either have the force of law or be voluntary in their application; j. to promote and contribute to the training of certain key groups without prejudice to the primary training role of the professional organisations involved; k. to promote the awareness of the general public to issues of discrimination and to produce and publish pertinent information and documents; l. to support and encourage organisations with similar objectives to those of the specialised body; m. to take account of and reflect as appropriate the concerns of such organisations; 82