E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.3 page 7 (80 per cent of the population), is also the one that discriminates most against black women: they earn 40 per cent of the salary of a white man who carries out the same functions. Also, women face more difficulties in procuring identification documents than men, and accessing loans. 14. The Minister of Justice recognizes that racism is deeply rooted in the Brazilian mentality, but public authorities hide it. Today, the political recognition of racism exists together with a good legislative framework, but a change of mentality will be difficult to achieve. Some significant progress has already been made with the affirmative action programmes in the universities. However, the judiciary is very conservative and has integrated racial prejudices. Therefore, an external monitoring programme on the democratization of the judiciary has been put in place. 15. The Ministry of Health is actively collaborating with SEPPIR: they jointly created a Mixed Committee composed of representatives of the Government, black researchers, leaders of social movements, which proposes programmes to the Ministry. It promoted for example, the launching of a programme to fight sickle cell anaemia, which is prevalent in the black population, as well as a programme to train black leaders on how to get involved in this Committee, which is essential for the functioning of the process. A programme to reduce the high mortality rate of black children and women was also established, as well as a campaign to fight against institutional racism within the Ministry. Concerning the sterilization of black women, the problem is being addressed but the situation is still worrisome. Blacks are also the most affected by mental health problems, mainly depression and violence, and by drugs. At the municipal level it is often still difficult to offer proper health services, especially in remote areas. 16. The President of the Senate referred to the Statute on Racial Equality, proposed by Senator Paulo Paim, which provides a harmonized legal framework for the fight against racial discrimination in employment, health, education, culture, and the media. The Statute also establishes a minimum recruitment quota of 20 per cent in universities and public administration, and creates a Fund to finance the implementation of public policies on racial equality. The Statute is supported by communities of African descent and by the majority of the political actors. 17. At the local level, the Governor of Bahia described the programmes carried out by the State of Bahia. In particular, it created a Commission on the black community and is developing a plan for the fight against racism. The State has a centre for excellence in the fight against sickle cell anaemia, it promotes quotas in primary to tertiary education. The Governor expressed a particular concern for the high rate of assassination of Blacks by death squads, in which he admitted the involvement of some policemen: in response, he created a special police unit in charge of fighting against extermination crimes. He also highlighted the fundamental need to better value the presence, culture and religion of the black population: if such value is perceived, racial tensions will decrease. Finally, he referred to a programme for the education of Indians and a specific competition for Brazilian Indian teachers. 18. During the visit of the Special Rapporteur to Salvador, the Mayor inaugurated the Human Rights Municipal Council, with equal representation of local government and civil society, which will allow civil society leaders to participate in the development of municipal human rights policies. Its priority will be fighting against the assassination of young Blacks,