A/HRC/31/CRP.2 evictions from such camps. The Special Rapporteur was told that the inability to maintain cultural patterns of travelling is having a profoundly negative impact on Roma people’s social and cultural patterns and means of subsistence across the region. 52. For the large proportion of people in the Roma communities across the region who no longer travel, many of the settlements, camps and residences where Roma people live are substandard. Roma families often live in situations of extreme poverty, lacking electricity, potable water and adequate sanitation. 53. Participants indicated that many Roma in Chile continue to travel. Up to 70 per cent still spend part of the year travelling. Maintaining an itinerant culture is a challenge, however, due to the lack of suitable sites available on which to set up temporary camps. While travelling, Chilean Roma often ask permission to pitch their camp on various sites. A large number of these requests are rejected. Participants reported a recent increase in forced evictions and the dismantling of temporary camps by the police. This has forced communities to stop travelling and set up a permanent camp, often in substandard conditions that lack adequate sanitation and other amenities. 54. Roma camps in Ecuador also experience substandard conditions. Communities often have no access to running or potable water, or electricity. While some Roma continue the tradition of travelling, they are often chased away by the authorities or otherwise prevented from setting up their camps. Many have been compelled to move into social housing. F. Political participation 55. Roma peoples throughout the region are reportedly excluded from full participation in political life. It was noted that Roma are decidedly absent from visible political positions at the national, provincial and district levels. 56. Roma are, however, taking initiatives to increase their participation, including by mobilizing through their own organizations, and working to strengthen national, regional and international Roma advocacy networks. All the participants noted the need for external support for these initiatives, and capacity building for communities to increase knowledge of their rights, including the right to political participation. 57. Participants from Argentina noted a lack of systematic and frank dialogue between INADI and Roma representatives, despite the fact that one stated priority of INADI is to develop an improved dialogue with the Roma community in order to better understand their needs and challenges. Participants also noted with regret the lack of Roma representation within INADI. They regard this as a key obstacle and believe that integrating Roma representation into the institution would be a key step towards building trust and dialogue between the State and Argentinian Roma. 58. Participants acknowledged recent policy advances for Roma in Brazil. They also expressed frustration at the slow pace of developments, however, and noted that they have been advocating such advances for many decades. Participants expressed concern that policymakers might wait until the outcome of the 2020 census before properly implementing policies and programmes for Roma. They also regretted the fact that there are no Roma staff members in the Department of Traditional Communities at SEPPIR, the key government entity responsible for designing and implementing policies and programmes for Roma people. 59. In this regard, Brazilian participants noted that the State will have to work to build trust in Government processes among Roma communities. Participants emphasized that the long-standing failure of the Government and policymakers to address the Roma’s situation of disadvantage has led to a lack of faith in public authorities. They believe that this may 11