A/HRC/31/CRP.2 2. Legal and institutional framework 73. States should ensure that specific laws and programmes are designed to address the above-mentioned areas of concern. Anti-discrimination laws, affirmative action measures, and consultative and outreach initiatives should be launched to close the gaps in educational attainment, health care, housing provision, employment opportunities, poverty reduction, access to justice, and so on, between Roma and majority communities. Steps should be taken to ensure Roma participation in the design, delivery and monitoring of all programmes to assist their communities, based on their own priorities. 74. When implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, States should ensure that proper attention is paid to the situation of Roma communities, and that the Sustainable Development Goals address the economic and social exclusion of marginalized Roma populations and fulfil the commitment to “leave no one behind”. 75. Specific institutions should be created that specifically address the situation of Roma. Without dedicated attention, disadvantaged groups can easily be ignored or excluded from government efforts. 76. NHRIs should recruit and retain Roma staff, and put in place specific mechanisms to address issues of relevance to Roma communities. These institutions are encouraged to develop outreach programmes that increase Roma participation in political, economic, social and cultural life. They should ensure that Roma are both involved in and can gain access to their programmes, including complaint mechanisms, and that materials are available in the Romani language where necessary. 77. States should constructively engage with Roma communities to allow them to build trust in the authorities, and be able to effectively communicate their concerns. States should ensure that any solutions developed and any decisions made that affect Roma communities are made on the basis of participation and dialogue. 3. Discrimination and justice 78. The right to freedom from discrimination requires States to adopt comprehensive strategies that will eradicate discriminatory practices against Roma individuals and communities, and to ensure that they have proper access to health care, social services, employment and education. 79. States should take all necessary measures to prevent and punish discrimination against Roma communities, and efforts should be made to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to guarantee access to justice for Roma victims of any such discrimination. This may necessitate the provision of training for Roma on their rights and the mechanisms that they can use to make a complaint, as well as training for law enforcement officials and others on the rights of Roma as a minority. 80. States must ensure that the authorities effectively and promptly investigate any crimes against Roma individuals and communities, including investigating any allegation of a discriminatory motive. Police officers should minimize the use of force during police operations, including in informal settlements, and all allegations of harassment or unlawful use of force by the police should be thoroughly investigated. 81. States should facilitate participation by Roma in governance and decisionmaking institutions at both the national and the local level. 14

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