A/72/165 social, economic or political problems or divisions in society. Governments, civil society and the international community must be alert to the early warning signs of hatred and violence, such as an atmosphere of discomfo rt and animosity when minorities exercise their right to freely and openly practise their religion, use their language or assert their right to have a voice in political life and the decisions that affect them. If hate speech and hate incidents are not tac kled swiftly and effectively, targeted groups may experience permanent damage to their self -esteem and sense of belonging within their societies, thereby increasing their marginalization. At the same time, majority communities may gradually become desensitized, to the point where they begin to accept the hostility towards and stigmatization of certain groups in their societies. 34. It is indicated in the report that a number of factors lead to hate speech and incitement to hatred in the media, including the absence of or unclear legislation on incitement to hatred, the limited access and representation of minorities in the media, the existence of structural societal inequalities, the changing media landscape and the emerging and more organized forms of extr emist and populist movements. Positive initiatives implemented by a broad range of actors, including international organizations, States, civil society and individuals, to contest hate speech and incitement to hatred in the media, are also highlighted in t he report. 5. 2015: Comprehensive study of the human rights situation of Roma worldwide, with a particular focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism (A/HRC/29/24) 35. In response to Human Rights Council resolution 26/4 on the protection of Roma, the Special Rapporteur prepared a comprehensive study of the human rights situation of Roma worldwide. She applies a minority rights-based approach to the protection and promotion of the rights of Roma, including the protection of their existence; the prevention of violence against Roma; the protection and promotion of Roma identity; the guarantee of the rights to non -discrimination and equality, including combating racism, anti-Gypsyism and structural discrimination; and the guarantee of the right of Roma to effective participation in public life, especially with regard to decisions affecting them. Drawing on the responses to her questionnaire, the Special Rapporteur provides an overview of trends in State practice, highlighting positive developments and challenge s. 36. In her report, the Special Rapporteur notes that the largest and most visible Roma minority is European Roma, whose presence in Europe dates back to the fourteenth century. Today, there are some 11 million European Roma and the severe discrimination and marginalization that they continue to experience has been widely reported. Regrettably, however, little comprehensive research has been carried out on the situation of Roma outside Europe. The Special Rapporteur took the opportunity, therefore, to report on the severe socioeconomic marginalization that Roma experience worldwide, including in the Russian Federation, Latin and North America, Central Asia and the Middle East. According to the Special Rapporteur, Roma communities worldwide still face situations of extreme poverty and marginalization across a wide range of human rights indicators. Although the reasons for that marginalization are complex, the overarching factor is the deeply embedded social and structural discrimination that Roma face worldwide, including anti-Gypsyism. 37. The Special Rapporteur believes it is necessary to reflect on the lessons learned, both globally and in particular from the European experience, to understand better why existing approaches have not managed to bring abou t structural change. She discusses overall challenges, including lack of accurate disaggregated data; the absence of political will; insufficient Roma participation; lack of a multisectoral, human rights-centred approach in policy development; low awareness of complaint 17-12138 9/22