A/66/313 movements, the Special Rapporteur has submitted a report to the Human Rights Council at its eighteenth session (A/HRC/18/44). 21. The Special Rapporteur identified good practices developed by States and other stakeholders to counter extremist political parties, movements and groups. In that regard, he welcomed the prohibition of racial discrimination in a number of States’ constitutions and legislation, and appreciated that racial discrimination and incitement to racial hatred were declared an offence under the criminal law of some countries. He also welcomed the fact that racist or xenophobic motives in some criminal legislation were aggravating factors in relation to some offences. Among other good practices, the Special Rapporteur highlighted the programmes specifically launched by States to combat extremism, including to steer youth away from extremist groups; the establishment of specific units to deal with hate crimes in Public Prosecutor’s offices; the collection of data on hate crimes, including racist crimes committed by members of extremist groups; as well as training of law enforcement agents, educational measures and awareness-raising activities to foster tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. 22. While taking note of efforts made by States to counter extremist political parties, movements and groups, the Special Rapporteur underlined that important challenges remained which required more efforts and increased vigilance, including with regard to the protection of vulnerable groups of individuals against racist and xenophobic crimes. The Special Rapporteur emphasized that members of minorities, including Roma, Sinti, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, continued to be the main victims of violence and attacks perpetrated or incited by extremist political parties, movements and groups. He highlighted the remaining impunity of the perpetrators of racist crimes and expressed his concern about the underreporting of such crimes by the victims. 23. In this context, the Special Rapporteur also raised the challenges posed by extremist political parties, movements and groups regarding the protection and consolidation of democracy and human rights. He highlighted that extremist political parties, movements and groups had gained influence, including through seats obtained in parliaments at the national and regional levels. Furthermore, some extremist political parties, movements and groups had adopted new strategies to secure a place on the political scene by refraining from openly propagating racist and xenophobic discourse. The Special Rapporteur also highlighted with concern the increased use of the Internet to disseminate racist ideas by individuals and groups of individuals closely linked to extremist movements. 24. In view of upcoming presidential and legislative elections to be held in some countries, the Special Rapporteur called upon traditional political parties to avoid using electoral contexts to fuel populist ideas and to refrain from seeking coalitions with extremist political parties. He further recalled that any measures to counter extremist political parties, movements and groups had to be taken in accordance with international human rights law and in a manner that upheld democratic principles. 8 11-45818