A/HRC/19/27 discriminated against in a number of areas. The Special Rapporteur also analysed the situation of low-caste peoples, who they generally suffer from multiple forms of discrimination on account of race, religious belief, descent and occupation. 87. In his report submitted to the Human Rights Council at its eighteenth session (A/HRC/18/44), the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance noted positively the adoption of national action plans and policies to combat racism and to promote the social integration of individuals belonging to minorities. He expressed concern about extremist political parties and movements and their ability to blame specific groups of individuals for the insecurity and socio-economic problems experienced by the population. The information received by the Special Rapporteur seemed to show that vulnerable groups of individuals, such as members of minorities, Roma and Sinti, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, continued to be the main victims of violence and attacks perpetrated or incited by extremist political parties, movements and groups, who also often regarded themselves as the only legitimate holders and guardians of the national identity of a given country. 88. In his report presented to the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session (A/66/313), the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance pointed out that ethnic minorities and people of African descent remained particularly affected by a historical legacy, notably in the areas of health, housing, employment, education, administration of justice, as well as political representation and empowerment. 89. During an interactive dialogue between the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religious beliefs and the Human Rights Council at its sixteenth session, the mandate holder declared that religious instruction in the public school system should always go hand in hand with specific safeguards to protect members of religious or belief minorities, with a minimum requirement that members of minorities should have the possibility of opting out of religious instruction that went against their own convictions. 90. In his report submitted to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/17/33), the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants affirmed that the political participation of ethnic and racial minorities represented an issue of special concern. 91. Some thematic mandate holders also addressed the rights of minorities during their country visits. In her report on her mission to Ireland from 10 to 15 January 2011 (A/HRC/17/34/Add.2), the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty stressed that reductions to disability services, community and voluntary services, and Traveller supports, as well as cuts to social protection, all had the potential to impede the delivery of essential services to the most vulnerable. The independent expert urged Ireland to develop, with the meaningful participation of the Traveller community, a new national Traveller health strategy in order to support the Traveller community’s enjoyment of the right to health on equal footing with the rest of Irish society. 92. Other thematic mandate holders issued joint statements to express concern about particular situations affecting minorities. Expressing their outrage and condemning in the strongest terms the ambush and killing on 2 March 2011 of Shahbaz Bhatti, several mandate holders issued a statement in which they highlighted that this was not only an attack on an individual but also on the rights of all religious minorities and on human rights in Pakistan. They added that the shocking assassination of Mr. Bhatti would spark fear in all those belonging to minorities in Pakistan, and that the Government must respond in the strongest terms possible to protect them, in both law and practice. 93. On 5 August 2011, the independent expert on minority issues and the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context issued a press 17