A/HRC/28/81 expert. The representative of Uruguay also noted that the situation was similar in Uruguay. Affirmative action also existed, though only ten per cent of the population were of African descent. The law in Uruguay focused more on public service than the educational sector. The two countries were however, exchanging information regarding their experiences in that area. The representative also asked if Brazil had encountered the problem of “filling quotas”. The expert replied that that was sometimes the case. Certain quotas existed (such as a 30 per cent quota for female parliamentarians), but there were not enough women parliamentarians to fill that quota. 71. The Chairperson-Rapporteur noted that according to the expert’s presentation, students who were disadvantaged in early life could do well later in life. He inquired if that meant that they would also have better employment opportunities and if so, were they consequently better integrated in society. The Chairperson-Rapporteur also asked if some structural analysis had been undertaken and if the question of class and race been looked at in order to create upward mobility in Brazilian society. The expert answered that the integration of those who had benefitted from special measures in society had yet to been studied. She expressed some caution about the assessing the intersection between class and race, in terms of an economic analysis. There was a strong linkage between various factors that could lead to discrimination, such as social class, economic status and race. She underlined the fact that all aspects were of importance and that economic models had difficulties isolating for the impact of these various social factors. Professor Shaw added that race and class were indeed very often interlinked, noting that inequality was on the rise, on the global level as well as within certain countries. He stated that the increasing inequality had already reached crisis proportions tearing apart the social fabric in some countries. 72. The representative of Ghana pointed out that many historical and current conflicts were not fought among people of different racial backgrounds, but that conflicts were regularly sustained by the perception of superiority of one or both sides to the conflict. The representative noted that respect for the individual must always be the cornerstone of any policy. He also expressed support for the work of the Committee in contributing to the topic of racism and sport. 73. On 13 October, during the 9th meeting, Ms. Dimitrina Petrova, Executive Director of the Equal Rights Trust gave a presentation on Special Measures, including affirmative or positive measures, strategies or actions, to prevent, combat and eradicate all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 74. She introduced the concept of a unified human rights framework on equality which offered a holistic approach, recognizing both the uniqueness of each different type of inequality and the overarching aspects of different inequalities. The unified framework brought together: a) types of inequalities based on different grounds, such as race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, among others b) types of inequalities in different areas of civil, political, social, cultural and economic life, including employment, education and the provision of goods and services and c) status inequalities and socio-economic inequalities. This conceptual framework was expressed in the Declaration of Principles on Equality adopted at an expert meeting in 2008 and subsequently endorsed by various experts and activists on equality and human rights from around the world. 75. She explained that, in her view, the synonymous concepts of special measures, affirmative action and positive action should be seen in the light of the modern understanding of non-discrimination and equality as legal rights. As such, positive action is a necessary element of the right to equality. But it was very important to note the growing trend of interpreting “special measures” as part of, rather than an exception to, equal treatment. For example, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against 37