A/HRC/30/49 authorities take decisions relating in particular to education, housing, health, the environment, and law and order, which are directly connected with the implementation of human rights and which may enforce or weaken the possibilities of its inhabitants to enjoy their human rights. Furthermore, local government is always facing the risk of discriminatory practices against perceived outsiders, such as immigrants or ethnic minorities, to the local community. In the area of housing, for example, “scapegoating, stigmatization and discrimination against homeless people” are often more pronounced at the local level. Integrating a human rights dimension in all local government initiatives is vital for addressing these violations. Actually, it is difficult to imagine a situation of human rights being realized where there are no local authorities to provide the necessary services. Local officials are thus responsible for a wide range of human rights issues in their day-today work. However, this work is rarely perceived as human rights implementation, neither by the authorities, nor by the public. Consequently, human rights remain distant as a frame of reference or analysis in most policies and practices at the local level, while they may actually be human rights in practice.9 In this regard, it should be borne in mind that the real effect of human rights is experienced locally. 27. Human rights duties of local government follow the classical tripartite typology of States’ human rights obligations, namely, the duty to respect, the duty to protect and the duty to fulfil. The duty to respect means that local officials must not violate human rights through their own actions. It requires local government to refrain from interfering with the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of all persons within its jurisdiction. For example, in relation to the freedom of religion, local government may not prohibit religious communities, beyond the permissible limitations, from using public squares or municipal buildings for religious celebrations. Regarding the right to health, local government may not deprive certain communities or groups of access to health care facilities. The duty to protect requires measures to ensure that third parties do not violate the rights and freedoms of the individual. For example, local authorities are required to take action to ensure that children are not prevented by others from attending school. The duty to protect can necessitate creating safer urban environments that reduce the risk of violence, for example against women. The duty to fulfil means that local government must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms. For example, local authorities are obliged to fulfil the right to education by sustaining a good educational system. To comply with the duty to fulfil the right of individuals not to be discriminated against, local human rights mechanisms such as ombudspersons or specialized anti-discrimination agencies can be established. 28. Further, local authorities should promote the understanding of and respect for human rights of all individuals within their jurisdiction through education and training. In particular, local authorities should organize, on a systematic basis, human rights training for their elected representatives and administrative staff, and the dissemination of relevant information among citizens about their rights. By promoting human rights, local authorities can help build a culture of human rights in the community. 29. Local authorities should pay particular attention to the promotion and protection of rights of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, indigenous communities, victims of sexual discrimination, children and elderly 9 8 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe), Strasbourg, 25–27 March 2014, 26th session, CG(26)5FINAL, “Best practices of implementation of human rights at local and regional level in member states of the Council of Europe and other countries” (Rapporteur: O. Molin), Resolution 365 (2014), Explanatory Memorandum, paras. 8, 14, available from http://www.coe.int/t/congress/texts/RESOLUTIONS_en.asp?mytabsmenu=6.