A/HRC/26/44 discrimination by statute104 and extending the scope of labour law to indirect discrimination (CERD/C/BLR/CO/18-19, para. 11).105 2. Roma 125. The extent of discrimination faced by the Roma has frequently been pointed out, as well as the need to ensure their full participation in various mechanisms, including integration into the labour market and the education system. Specific measures are required to retain Roma students at school through awareness-raising, financial support and scholarships.106 3. Language 126. Concerns have been raised as to the limited use of the Belarusian language in education and cultural life because of a seemingly concerted effort to restrict promotion of the language and national identity through cultural activities and unofficial commemorations. It has been recommended that Belarus acts to ensure the unrestricted exercise of the right to promote, preserve and participate in cultural life.107 T. Elections 127. As reported by the Special Rapporteur to the General Assembly, the rights to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections are not guaranteed in Belarus (A/HRC/15/16, para. 18.14).108 128. In November 2013, the electoral code amendments were adopted in an atmosphere of secrecy. The new features, such as a one-round system replacing the previous two rounds, restrictive permission procedures for election-time public activities and the criminalization of calls for boycott, further restrict the democratic space and diminish the chances of the political opposition, thus strengthening the atmosphere of control and pressure against alternative political thoughts. The visit of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to Minsk in October 2013 found that practically none of the recommendations they provided after the 2012 parliamentary elections had been implemented.109 129. On 23 March 2014, local elections took place in Belarus. The national election observation, including the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” and the joint election NGO monitoring initiative “Right to Choose” both found that the elections were neither free nor fair.110 130. .In the local elections, the right to elect was in practice denied by the fact that 88 per cent of constituencies were uncontested, and in two districts elections did not take place. 104 CERD/C/BLR/CO/18-19, para. 8; A/HRC/23/52, para. 95. 106 E/C.12/BLR/CO/4-6, para. 27; A/HRC/15/16, para. 98.14; CERD/C/65/CO/2, para. 10; CERD/C/BLR/CO/18-19, para. 16; A/HRC/4/16, para. 50. E/C.12/BLR/CO/4-6, paras. 29–30; E/CN.4/2005/35, paras. 63–64; E/CN.4/2006/36, paras. 89–90. 107 109 110 22 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, “OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on 2012 parlimentary elections in Belarus”, 7 March 2013 (http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/100017). Human Rights Center “Viasna”, “Monitoring report on local elections of the 27th convocation”, 24 March 2014 (http://spring96.org/en/news/70122).