A/66/313 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 67. Recognition and strong political will may lead to results if they are also coupled with an increased vigilance, especially with regard to the rise of certain manifestations and forms of racism and racial discrimination, including the phenomenon of extremist political parties, movements and groups, including neo-Nazis and skinhead groups, as well as similar ideological extremist movements. The Special Rapporteur recalls that no State is immune from such phenomena. In this regard he reiterates that political leaders and political parties must strongly condemn all political messages that disseminate ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination or xenophobia. Respect for human rights and freedoms, democracy and the rule of law must always be the cornerstone of any programme or activity developed by political parties, while they bear in mind the need to ensure that the political and legal systems reflect the multicultural character of their societies at all levels. 68. The Special Rapporteur encourages States to develop a comprehensive approach when designing measures to address the negative impact of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the full enjoyment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. 69. Furthermore, while developing such a comprehensive approach, States should take into account the structural dimension of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including as experienced by some groups of individuals such as people of African descent, Roma and the victims of discrimination based on work and descent. Indeed, the root causes of structural discrimination need to be addressed through a comprehensive approach that will make it possible to address this phenomenon in all its dimensions. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur urges States to review and redesign legislation, policies and programmes that have a disproportionate effect, including the legislation, policies and programmes that discriminate indirectly against some specific groups of individuals. He further recommends the adoption of national strategies and plans of action against racism, focusing on structural discrimination and the interrelation between racism and the socio-economic or political exclusion of certain parts of their population. 70. An appropriate legal response is a fundamental pillar of the approach recommended by the Special Rapporteur in the present report. Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be prohibited by law, as should the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination as well as all acts of violence or incitement to such acts. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur recommends the enactment of legislation consistent with international human rights standards, including article 20, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. States are also urged to introduce into their domestic criminal law a provision according to which committing an offence with racist or xenophobic motivation or aim constitutes an aggravating circumstance allowing for heavier sanctions. The Special Rapporteur also calls upon States to fully 11-45818 19

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