A/HRC/7/23/Add.2 page 12 30. The independent expert was informed that incidents of violent attacks on persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and reported racist and anti-Semitic incidents have declined.9 However, it was widely stated by community members and representatives that various manifestations of discrimination, including on the basis of their Muslim or foreign-sounding names, continue to impact seriously on their opportunities and equal treatment. In such fields as employment and access to housing, this problem is so widespread that some feel compelled to disguise their names and religious identities. D. Gypsies/Travellers10 in France 31. Gypsy/Traveller community members and representatives reported increasing levels of discrimination against such groups and continuing failure to prosecute offenders. Issues of concern include the failure to provide serviced parking areas for caravans and disproportionate taxing of caravans; access to identity cards and documentation issues; obstacles to the right to vote and participate in political life; forced evictions; obstacles to the purchase of private property; difficulties with regard to education; and the incidence of harassment, abuse and violent attack against members of such groups. They highlighted a general climate of racism against Gypsies/Travellers that perpetuates racist stereotypes, exclusion and discrimination and leaves many extremely vulnerable. 32. Governmental representatives acknowledged claims that certain local authorities openly defy national legislation relating to the rights of Gypsies and Travellers. Law No. 2000-614 of 5 July 2000 relating to the Welcome and Housing of Travellers establishes the legal requirement for municipalities of over 5,000 residents to provide parking areas for Gypsy/Traveller caravans. National authorities confirmed that while an estimated 40,000 such sites are required, only 8,000 currently exist. Municipal authorities reportedly prefer to pay penalties than comply with the law. In many cases, sites, where provided, do not meet required minimum standards of infrastructure and environmental adequacy. Complaints were received that Gypsy/Traveller caravans are subject to prohibitively high taxes (imposed locally by communes) aimed at dissuading them from remaining in municipalities. 33. A new law adopted by Parliament in 2007 seeks to encourage communes to abide by the law. Law No. 2000-614 grants those in compliance with requirements to assign parking areas for 9 The National Consultative Committee for Human Rights (NCCHR) reported 974 racist and anti-Semitic incidents in 2005, down 38 per cent from the 1,574 incidents recorded in 2004. 10 Note on terminology - The independent expert recognizes debate regarding appropriate terminology in France and for the purposes of this report conforms to the ERRC uses of the terms “Gypsies” and “Travellers” to refer to individuals and groups who are descended from groups that have long been citizens of France and who have for many generations played a role in French society and history. The category “Gypsies and Travellers” includes persons of diverse culture, frequently self-identifying as “Sinti”, “Manouche”, “Kale”, “Gitan”, “Roma”, “Yenish”, “Traveller” or other.