A/HRC/4/19/Add.2 page 23 Switzerland.37 The absence of this essential measuring tool makes it difficult to assess the phenomenon and limits the effectiveness of even sporadic policies, programmes and initiatives to combat racism. Moreover, since statistics are not standardized among the cantons, whatever data are available, particularly data on crime, are difficult to interpret. 78. Through the diversity of situations and policies, the Special Rapporteur noted the impact of the distinctive nature of the federal structure, the powers and prerogatives of the cantons and the democratic tradition of popular votes on the recognition and treatment of questions relating to racism and xenophobia. It would appear, therefore, that the question of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia has not been the subject of a comprehensive and coherent approach or a resolute and credible national political programme. 79. The Special Rapporteur is particularly alarmed at the possibility that, owing to their electoral impact, racist and xenophobic political platforms will spread in the future, bearing in mind the degree of resistance to cultural diversity in the light of the increasing multiculturalization, particularly as a result of non-European immigration, of Swiss society. In this regard, there are already signs, particularly in the context of the widespread tendency in Europe to associate Islam with terrorism, that one of the prime targets of these platforms will be the presence of Muslims in Switzerland. 80. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur spoke at length with his interlocutors concerning integration measures and programmes. He noted that the positive aspects of some of these programmes are handicapped by two political and cultural factors in Switzerland: (a) at the political level, by ideological hostility to integration, reflected in the political platforms of parties, such as the Swiss People’s Party/Centre Democratic Union, which are members of the Government; and (b) at the cultural level, by the rejection of cultural diversity, which takes the form of refusing to acknowledge the cultural specificity of immigrant minorities, particularly non-European minorities, which are suspected of threatening “national identity” and are enjoined to “adapt to national values”, thereby depriving such minorities of any opportunity to make cultural contributions to and enrich Swiss society. 81. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the commitment, in the context of Switzerland’s participatory democracy, of associations and civil society, including churches, to combating racism in Switzerland. However, he notes with concern the current political and legal trend, demonstrated by the most recent vote, towards abolishing measures to defend and protect victims. 82. The Special Rapporteur is particularly alarmed at the situation, often extremely precarious, of asylum-seekers whose applications have not been considered for formal reasons, and at the Government’s policy - characterized by criminalization, suspicion and rejection - 37 The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination requested such information from Switzerland in 2002: “The Committee requests information about the legislation in force prohibiting racial discrimination within the private sector in fields such as employment, housing, education, health and access to public places.” (CERD/C/60/CO/14, para. 16).