A/HRC/59/62/Add.1 J. Inadequate political participation and representation 54. Political participation and representation are powerful means by which those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups can contribute to the disruption, deconstruction and dismantling of systemic racism. It is vital to the health of a democracy for the population of a country to be represented within political institutions. The Special Rapporteur is therefore concerned by reports that there is very low representation of marginalized racial and ethnic groups, including people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, Quilombola communities and Roma persons, in political and decision-making bodies, including the National Congress and bodies at the state and municipal levels. She welcomes the fact that quotas for racial representation in political party candidate lists are in place but was concerned to hear that they are not being implemented and that there is an absence of accountability for such non-compliance. The Special Rapporteur also heard troubling testimony of how political institutions are experienced as deeply hostile and unsafe places for those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, particularly women. 55. The use of threats and violence, including lethal violence, against those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, including women, who run for or participate in political office is a further issue of deep concern to the Special Rapporteur. K. Racial and xenophobic stereotyping and hatred 56. “Othering” on the basis of race and ethnicity, racialization and reliance on racial and xenophobic stereotypes are core components of systemic racism. The Special Rapporteur was therefore concerned at multiple reports of the endemic incidence of everyday racism driven by pervasive stereotypes and tropes about people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, Quilombola communities, Roma persons, migrants, refugees and other groups experiencing systemic racism. She gained the impression that all non-white, non-Catholic Brazilians were subjected to racialization, othering and harmful stereotyping, including in schools, public life and in the media. Effective education and public awareness-raising on the history and culture of racial and ethnic groups and their vital contributions to Brazilian society are important tools in the fight against racist tropes and stereotypes. The Special Rapporteur therefore welcomes Law No. 10.639/2003 concerning the teaching of African and Afro-Brazilian history. She nevertheless stresses the need to ensure the effective implementation of these legal provisions and notes with concern the absence of similar legislation to develop understanding about other marginalized racial and ethnic groups. 57. Factors driving everyday racism and endemic stereotyping also contribute to concerning levels of racist hate speech, including online hate speech, and hate crimes. According to public data, 13,897 cases of racial abuse and 11,610 cases of racism were reported in 2023.17 Despite these concerningly high numbers, the rates of prosecution and conviction remain low. Moreover, it is unclear to the Special Rapporteur whether all forms of racist hate speech covered by article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination are included in the Criminal Code and other legal provisions and whether such provisions apply to online violations. The Special Rapporteur notes that the Government has taken steps to engage in a dialogue with private companies on online racist hate speech but remains concerned about persistently high levels of online abuse. 58. Another concerning trend contributing to racial hatred, including online hatred, is the rise in the number of neo-Nazi cells in the southern states of Brazil, including Santa Catarina. Neo-Nazism and other forms of right-wing extremism are dangerous drivers of racism and other similar forms of hate and intolerance. Criminal cases and investigations relating to neo-Nazism have reportedly included an incident of school violence in which the perpetrator wore a military uniform and a swastika on his clothes; Nazi graffiti daubed in educational settings; threats, including Nazi references, made within educational settings; a factory making goods that glorified Nazism; and individuals with affiliations to neo-Nazism and associated ideologies who were implicated in violent crimes. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the apathy towards trends in neo-Nazism shown by state officials and the 17 14 See https://forumseguranca.org.br/publicacoes/anuario-brasileiro-de-seguranca-publica/. GE.25-06011