CERD concluding observations 2016, paragraph 25

Recalling its general recommendation No. 27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Develop a comprehensive strategy, in consultation with members of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, to ensure a systematic and coherent approach in addressing the challenges that members of these communities continue to face in the fields of health, education, housing and employment, and ensure its effective implementation by adopting specific action plans, putting in place effective oversight and monitoring mechanisms to track progress, and providing adequate human and financial resources. (b) Ensure the provision of adequate and culturally appropriate accommodation and stopping sites as a matter of priority throughout the State party and regularly publish the net increase of pitches for Gypsies and Travellers created through the Traveller Pitch Fund. (c) Ensure that representatives of Gypsy and Traveller communities are adequately consulted before any measures that affect their situation, such as the Housing and Planning Bill 2015, are implemented. (d) Ensure that any changes in the definition of Gypsy or Traveller, including for planning purposes, are made with effective consultation with the Gypsy and Traveller communities and that their views are duly taken into account, and that such changes do not adversely affect their rights, including the rights of people who have stopped travelling permanently.