A/HRC/23/56/Add.2 the Comprehensive Strategy Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance to improve the institutional data-gathering systems on racist incidents. The Special Rapporteur recalls that without ethnically disaggregated data, it remains difficult to assess progress in addressing racial discrimination. He recommends that the Government consider the collection of such data. On the institutional framework 63. The Special Rapporteur recommends strong cooperation between the National and Regional Ombudspersons, including via the effective implementation of their recommendations; the allocation of adequate resources; and security of tenure for their staff. He also calls upon the Ombudspersons to work closely with NGOs and civil society; to ensure the effective access to their offices by the victims of racism, including the Roma and the undocumented migrants; to facilitate their ability to bring complaints to their offices; and to increase awareness of their human rights. Regional Ombudspersons should be established in those regions where they do not yet exist. The Special Rapporteur also recommends ensuring that specialized prosecutors on hate crimes, discrimination and cybercrimes, where they exist, are provided with adequate financial, human and technical resources. He also encourages the establishment of similar prosecutors where they do not yet exist. 64. It is crucial that the Council for the Promotion of Equal Treatment and NonDiscrimination on the Grounds of Racial or Ethnic Origin be able to continue the important work it has already began. The Special Rapporteur recommends the strengthening of the Council, particularly in the areas of independence and solid competences, including the capacity to represent victims of racial discrimination before the Courts and increased financial, technical and human resources. He welcomes the support extended to the victims of racism through the Network of Assistance to the Victims of Discrimination by Racial or Ethnic Origin involving various NGOs and recommends that measures be taken to ensure that its viability and effectiveness are not compromised by restrictive budget cuts. On the public policies to combat racism 65. The Special Rapporteur appreciates that a second Human Rights Plan is being prepared. He recommends ensuring wide participation and consultation of all the relevant actors, including the various parliamentarians, civil society, NGOs, the victims of racism and the relevant United Nations bodies, and to specifically request assistance from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Comprehensive Strategy against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance is a commendable development, and concrete measures should be taken for its effective implementation in collaboration with civil society actors, NGOs and the victims. On the Roma 66. The Special Rapporteur recommends the enhancement of the efforts carried out to combat discrimination against the Roma, especially in the context of the current economic crisis, as there is still a segment of the Roma population that continues to face social exclusion, marginalization, racial discrimination, prejudices, hostility and significant challenges in the areas of education, housing, access to health and employment. Issues that should be urgently addressed, inter alia through more effective implementation and appropriate funding, include their disproportionate level of unemployment; their living conditions; the de facto segregation in schools; the high dropout rates in secondary education and limited access to university; and the 16