A/HRC/46/44 public reports, and advocated against the overly broad definition of religious proselytism and the prosecution of individuals and religious groups, including some Protestants, Muslims, Messianic Jews and Hare Krishnas, for engaging in “illegal missionary activities”. Several United Nations human rights experts communicated with the Government of Pakistan regarding information received about the country’s recently established National Commission for Minorities, which appears not to meet the standards set out for national human rights institutions in the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles).41 The experts recommended a review of the legal basis of the Commission and encouraged its establishment through legislative or constitutional texts as an independent statutory body; they specified what the composition of the body should be, as well as the broad sphere of its competence across the country. They also recommended undertaking a serious review of the current composition and membership and establishing clear procedures for the selection and appointment of the members, as well as having an official act that specifies the tenure of the Commission. They further called upon the Government to reverse its decision to exclude certain Muslim minorities, in particular the Ahmadis, and other minorities, and encouraged the holding of consultations with all minorities, as well as other civil society actors, to ensure that the needs of minorities who are most often excluded or marginalized are duly taken into account.42 J. Human rights situation of Roma communities On International Roma Day, 8 April, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues urged political action to promote equality and non-discrimination during the COVID-19 crisis. The treatment of Roma, Sinti and Traveller minorities remains a major human rights issue, particularly where their vulnerability is compounded by continued obstacles in accessing public services – such as coronavirus testing, basic health care and sanitation, as well as receiving public health information in their own languages during the pandemic. Of particular concern during 2020 has been the alarming rise of hate speech and scapegoating against the Roma. Right-wing extremist and xenophobic groups have been targeting and blaming Roma and other minorities for spreading the virus, or accusing them of not respecting public authorities’ protection measures.43 The OHCHR Regional Office for Europe has engaged in advocacy around the European Union’s Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation for 2020–2030, by underlining the need to hold States to account for making tangible progress as well as the need to embed the human rights principles of participation, transparency and non-discrimination in the new framework. On 12 October, OHCHR participated in the highlevel conference to launch the new framework. OHCHR welcomed the European Union framework and acknowledged that the situation of the Roma could not change without addressing antigypsyism or prejudice among the majority population. The human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine continued to follow cases of attacks against Roma communities and informal settlements in Ukraine. Several court cases on the inaction of State authorities are in progress, but individual perpetrators have still not been brought to account and investigations routinely overlook the racial bias or hatred in these attacks. OHCHR continued addressing discrimination and hate speech, as well as incidents of harassment and intimidation, against Roma, including through cooperation with law enforcement bodies and the international community. Additionally, OHCHR monitored the impact of COVID-19 on the human rights of Roma people in Ukraine, and conducted 30 remote interviews with representatives of NGOs and human rights defenders that were focused on Roma issues, covering 15 regions across the country. In May, OHCHR issued a briefing note on the impact of COVID-19 on Roma in Ukraine, which identified key human 41 42 43 See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunication File?gId=25453. Ibid. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25782&LangID=E. 13