III. >> M  ethodological Approaches to Human Rights Indicators >> Disaggregation of human rights indicators While the practical relevance and feasibility of disaggregation need to be appropriately addressed, disaggregation of data helps design, adapt, implement and monitor measures to advance human rights, and contributes to the detection of related human rights problems, such as direct or indirect discrimination (chap. IV, boxes 23 and 24).52 The decision concerning the disaggregation of census, administrative or survey data on the basis of characteristics such as ethnicity and religion rests with the national authorities and will depend on national circumstances. This is also true for disaggregation by grounds of discrimination like sex, age, disabilities, economic wealth or socioeconomic status, region or administrative unit,53 although there seems to be much less leeway for decision makers to decide not to disaggregate those data. Nevertheless, there appears to be a general opinion in favour of disaggregation from a human rights perspective, insofar as it helps in addressing inequalities and discrimination on prohibited grounds. 52. For example, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance has used surveys and disaggregated indicators to highlight the marginalization of minorities in access to education, employment, health and housing in Japan (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2). 53. In some cases, disaggregation by region or administrative unit might provide proxy information on the situation of ethnic groups. 70 Human Rights Indicators