A/HRC/14/37 Italy were continuing their path to other countries, and that only about 40 per cent of migrants stayed on in Italy. 298. Italy was committed to protecting the human rights of migrants, and recognized the positive contribution of migrant workers to the Italian economy and society. Its policies aimed at their full integration. 299. Italy highlighted its efforts aimed at rescuing migrants at sea, noting that approximately 40,000 migrants had been rescued by Italian vessels in 2008 and 2009. However, it was important to put a stop to this dramatic situation and to prevent criminal groups from profiting from it, with the help of all countries concerned. With regard to the issue of refoulement, the Frontex common patrol operation at sea, in which many European countries participated, was in full compliance with relevant legal standards and United Nations conventions. 300. Italy was making efforts to address the issue of the Roma and the Sinti. The Roma had long lived in Italy, and many were Italian citizens, but the recent arrival of large groups from other parts of Europe had posed problems with regard to their integration. In total, there were now more than 160,000 Roma and Sinti in Italy. Italy stressed that all incidents had been regularly condemned by all political forces, and that rigorous investigations had been conducted. The most important task was the social integration of the Roma, in particular with regard to housing, education and employment. Efforts in this regard were continuing. With regard to its recognition as a minority, however, this would not be in line with the Constitution of Italy, which required a certain stability and duration of settlement of relevant communities in a specific area of the country. 301. With regard to racial discrimination and xenophobia, Italy acknowledged that episodes of these phenomena did indeed still occur, and that related social attitudes still existed, although the Government was strongly committed to their eradication. The legal framework had a multitude of provisions to fight racial discrimination and xenophobia, including provisions prohibiting incitement to hatred, and the judicial system was very active in this regard. Italy also paid special attention to the educational system, fostering an intercultural approach through specific programmes. 302. Lastly, with regard to a query related to its negative vote on Council resolution 14/1, Italy explained that its decision in this regard had not been easy, and asserted its very friendly relations with the Palestinian people, the Arab world as a whole, and Turkey, which had also been directly and dramatically involved. Italy stressed its willingness to continue to work, in conjunction with the European Union, for a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict, taking into account the legitimate concerns of all parties involved. Kazakhstan 303. The review of Kazakhstan was held on 12 February 2010 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by Kazakhstan in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/KAZ/1); (b) The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/KAZ/2); (c) The summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/KAZ/3). 94 GE.12-17781