CERD/C/DEU/CO/18 page 6 ensure the continuation of a viable Sorbian school network, including secondary schools, in order to sustain Sorbian language and culture. 25. The Committee is concerned that the granting of compensation to victims of racially motivated acts under the Victims Compensation Act (Gesetz über die Entschädigung für Opfer von Gewalttaten - OEG) appears to be based on the citizenship status of the victims rather than on the seriousness of the acts committed. (art.6) The Committee recommends that the State party consider revising the provisions of the Victims Compensation Act in order to provide for compensation to victims of racially motivated crime regardless of their citizenship status. 26. While noting that the Criminal Code includes a general provision stipulating that the motives and aims of the offender must be taken into account in determining the sentences for crimes, the Committee is concerned that German criminal law does not explicitly include a provision which stipulates that racist motivation should be taken into account as a specific aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing in relevant crimes. The Committee understands that such a law will be considered by the parliament. (art.6) The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to include in its domestic criminal legislation a specific provision to ensure that the motive of ethnic, racial or religious hatred is taken into account as an aggravating circumstance in proceedings under the criminal law. 27. The Committee is concerned that members of the Roma and Sinti communities are victims of racial prejudice and stigmatization in the media and that insufficient measures have been taken by the State party to address this situation (art. 7). The Committee, recalling its general recommendation No. 27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, recommends that the State party take effective measures to counter the dissemination of any ideas of racial or ethnic superiority or racial hatred, as well as the incitement to discrimination and violence against Roma in the media, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. It encourages the State party to fully implement and where possible improve methods of self-monitoring by the media in order to avoid racially discriminatory or biased language. 28. The Committee recommends the State party provide information on follow-up measures to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee in Communication No. 38/2006 adopted on 22 February 2008, in conformity with article 14 of the Convention. 29. While taking note of the State party’s explanation in its written replies (see question 23), the Committee nevertheless encourages the State party to consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families with a view to strengthening the protection of non-citizens against racial discrimination.