A/HRC/55/35 measures to implement effectively all components of the right to participate in public affairs for people of African descent. 33. In its concluding observations on Uruguay, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern about persistent structural discrimination against people of African descent. The Committee was further concerned about the persistent gaps affecting people of African descent in accessing health services, social security and decent housing. The Committee recommended that Uruguay implement an appropriate programme of targeted policies based on the intersectionality approach to continue improving the living conditions and socioeconomic situation of people of African descent. In addition, it recommended that Uruguay take concrete measures to address stereotypes and negative depictions of the religions and beliefs of people of African descent and to protect their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.37 F. Human rights of Roma communities 34. During 2023, OHCHR continued efforts to advance implementation of the recommendations of the 2015 report by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues entitled “Comprehensive study of the human rights situation of Roma worldwide, with a particular focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism”.38 In March, OHCHR undertook a mission to Brazil, inter alia to discuss action to improve human rights-based information on Roma. In May, OHCHR convened a global meeting on Roma and memorialization in the Americas, held at the University for Peace in Costa Rica in person and in hybrid form,39 as a follow-up to the global meeting held in Geneva in September 2022 on Roma and memoralization.40 As a follow-up to the May meeting, several actions were agreed: first of all, a process was launched for the crowdfunded submission of Romani places of memory in the Americas, to be launched as a map in early 2024. Secondly, preparations began towards the eightieth anniversary commemorations of the Roma Holocaust, which will be the subject of events in Auschwitz-Birkenau and worldwide on 2 and 3 August 2024. 35. In August, the OHCHR Regional Office for South America participated in a public hearing on a proposed Statute of Romani People in Brazil, promoted by the Human Rights, Minorities and Racial Equality Commission of Congress. OHCHR highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of Romani people, as well as the relevance of strengthening an intersectional approach to the normative framework that protects their rights. 36. In Serbia, OHCHR participated in November in the thirteenth meeting of the Network for Roma Issues, focusing on sustainable social protection services within the community and on inclusive policies at the local level. In collaboration with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, OHCHR presented some of the key challenges faced by the Roma community. Representatives of local self-government units particularly welcomed the efforts of OHCHR and once again emphasized the importance of implementing the leave no one behind tool41 at the local level. 37. In the Republic of Moldova, OHCHR continued to support the Roma community mediators system that had been launched in the Transnistrian region in 2020. With funds provided by OHCHR, Roma community mediators have ensured access to education, social protection, health care, employment, housing and other human rights for approximately 400 Roma living in six localities densely populated by Roma in the Transnistrian region. OHCHR also facilitated the drafting of the Human Rights Framework in the Transnistrian 37 38 39 40 41 8 CERD/C/URY/CO/24-26, paras. 25 and 26. A/HRC/29/24. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/minorities/issues-focus/Concept-NoteMemorialization-anti-Gypsyism-in-the-Americas.pdf. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/minorities/Roma-MemorializationGeneva-Roundtable-2023-Outcome-Document.pdf. See https://serbia.un.org/en/200842-tool-introduction-%E2%80%98leave-no-onebehind%E2%80%99-principle-legislative-and-strategic-acts-republic. GE.23-26212