A/70/335 on the methods and procedures for the collection, processing, storage and presentation of statistical data. Statistical agencies are also to facilitate a correct interpretation of the data and present information according to scientific standards on the sources, methods and procedures of the statistics (principle 3). Finally, in order to foster transparency, the laws, regulations and measures under which the statistical systems operate are to be made public (principle 7). 67. The Special Rapporteur is of the view that equality data can also be collected and analysed by independent research agencies, even in those contexts whe re there are legal prohibitions on the collection of such data. In his report on his visit to Spain, he emphasized that in the absence of official ethnic statistics at the time, the authorities had made extensive use of data and information gathered by NGO s and other relevant actors (see A/HRC/23/56/Add.2). The Special Rapporteur recommends that in such contexts, the State should provide resources to independent entities (such as universities) to allow them to collect the necessary data. 68. A report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance surveying the status of data collection among the 42 member States concluded that only half of them had collected data on ethnicity and/or religion.1 0 The research shows that practices regarding the collection of ethnic data have varied widely and such undertakings have most often been justified by reference to public interest, rather than on the basis of a legal obligation as part of anti -discrimination efforts. 69. The United Kingdom is an exception in the European context, as the Race Relations Act (1976) and the Data Protection Act (1998) specifically request the collection of ethnic data, which have been established as necessary for monitoring the existence or absence of equality of opportunity and treatment between individuals of different ethnic origin. The Race Relations Act clearly states that collecting statistical information is a legal obligation which applies to public authorities at the local and national levels and to firms with 150 employees or more. The Information Commissioner has large powers in authorizing the collection of “sensitive data”. Since 1991, censuses in the country have included a question on ethnic groupings. The current categories are the result of extensive consultation between stakeholders and the census authorities. 70. In the context of its voluntary commitment to implementing a national system of human rights indicators, Brazil has established a Committee for Social S tatistics, the lead coordinating body in charge of integrating a human rights perspective into social indicators. The committee is part of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. As a result, the demographic census in 2010 included targeted qu estions to generate data disaggregated along criteria such as disability, indigenous language and race or colour. Brazil has sought international cooperation to develop the components of the national system of human rights indicators, in partnership with OHCHR and United Nations agencies (see A/HRC/WG.6/13/BRA/1). Human rights elements have been included in a database of indicators that contribute to policymaking, including Datasus, the computer systems department of the unified health system, which gathers information relative to the unified health system, the family grant registry and the school census. 71. The Special Rapporteur would like to voice his grave concern with regard to the absence of hate-crime statistics, which could be explained, inter alia, by insufficient awareness on the part of the authorities, who are failing to implement their duty to protect victims and provide them with effective remedies. The 15-14106 19/24