A/HRC/7/23/Add.2 page 5 Introduction 1. In conformity with her mandate’s requirement to promote implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (hereafter “the 1992 Declaration on Minorities”), the independent expert visited France between 19 and 28 September 2007. She conducted extensive consultations with senior government representatives, including ministers responsible for human rights, urban policy and poverty, the President of the Constitutional Council and other senior officials, in order to assess government perspectives on minority issues in France. She also consulted civil society organizations, academic institutions, students and media representatives and held open discussion forums.1 The independent expert visited Paris, Marseilles and Strasbourg and their environs, where she consulted directly with community members, local regional government representatives, regional intergovernmental organizations and others in order to gain their views and opinions. She held forums specifically for minority women in order to allow them to express their views, talk about their lives and raise the issues most important to them. 2. The independent expert expresses her thanks to the Government of France for the excellent assistance and cooperation extended to her during the preparation and conduct of her visit, and to those government officials with whom she met. 3. The independent expert wishes to thank the numerous non-governmental organizations and civil society groups that met with her, provided valuable information, and facilitated aspects of her visit. The important work being done by NGOs has ensured that issues relating to discriminatory policies and practices are on the political agenda and before the courts. The independent expert encourages additional support for such organizations. 4. The independent expert has chosen to focus primary attention on the experiences of French citizens and long-term residents of immigrant heritage, particularly those of North African and Sub-Saharan origin, Muslims, and those from overseas departments and territories resident in mainland France. Persons belonging to such groups, often people of colour described as “visible minorities”, typically experience serious discrimination and are grossly underrepresented in State and political institutions. Racism (including Islamophobia), discrimination, alienation and lack of social mobility for persons belonging to such groups were contributing factors to the violent urban upheavals that occurred in French cities in 2005. 5. The independent expert also held consultations with representatives of Gypsies/Travellers/Roma communities and linguistic minorities such as the Bretons and Basques and Occitan-speaking communities. That information will also be reflected in this report. 6. The independent expert’s evaluation of minority issues in France is based on the 1992 Declaration on Minorities and other relevant international standards, from which she has identified four broad areas of concern relating to minorities globally. These are: (a) the 1 Quotes used in this report are original comments made to the independent expert during consultations with governmental and non-governmental sources during her visit. In all cases, the identity of the source is withheld.