A/HRC/25/56 strategies for the protection of the rights of women, and improving networking between Roma women and other groups working for gender equality. 11. The Independent Expert attended an event on double discrimination against minority women, organized by the Club de Madrid,1 on 1 and 2 October 2013. The meeting focused on women belonging to minority groups, and explored how they can transcend traditional roles to advance their rights and be empowered as agents of change. She spoke at the Hungarian Women’s Congress in Budapest, organized by the Hungarian Women’s Lobby. The Congress brought gender equality to the forefront of public discourse before parliamentary and local government elections and elections to the European Parliament to be held in 2014. B. Country visits 12. The Independent Expert visited Cameroon between 2 and 11 September 2013 and thanks the Government for its excellent cooperation. With over 250 ethnic groups, the Government is rightly proud of the country’s diversity and stability. While challenges remain, the Government appears willing to involve minorities in finding effective solutions. Pygmy and Mbororo pastoralist communities are among the poorest in Cameroon and issues relating to land and livelihood are of primary importance to these communities. Language issues include the decline of some of the country’s many mother-tongue languages. While a national bilingual language policy exists, Anglophone representatives allege discrimination in such areas as access to employment and political appointments. Freedom of religion is generally evident; however, Pentecostal church leaders complained of closure of churches and discriminatory treatment. The report on the mission is contained in addendum 1 to the present report (A/HRC/25/56/Add.1). 13. The Independent Expert thanks the Government of Nigeria for agreeing to a visit during early 2014. She urges other States that she has requested to visit to respond positively to her. She draws attention to the press release of mandate holders on Human Rights Day calling for stronger cooperation of Member States.2 14. The Independent Expert travelled to Malaysia at the invitation of a human rights organization, Pusat KOMAS. She thanks all those civil society actors she met and with whom she held discussions. She also met high-level officials including ministers in the Prime Minister’s Departments for National Unity and Integration and for Human Rights. During her meetings, she gave an introduction to international standards and principles for the protection of minority rights, discussed the importance of Malaysia ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the need for disaggregated data, especially for assessing the need for existing affirmative action policies. She highlighted to Government officials her desire visit Malaysia on an official mission and noted her long-standing visit request. 1 2 An independent non-profit organization composed of over 90 former Presidents and Prime Ministers from more than 60 countries. Available from www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14083&LangID=E. 5