A/HRC/20/33
60.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States, as part of their prevention
agenda, extend partnerships to civil society, and establish and strengthen national
human rights institutions in conformity with the principles relating to the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (General
Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993). National human rights institutions
and civil society are key partners in the development and implementation of policies
and programmes designed to prevent racism. States should provide them with
adequate support.
61.
The Special Rapporteur also recommends that States cooperate with the media
in order to promote the multicultural diversity of their societies. This is in recognition
of the influence and power of the media in shaping opinions and attitudes on ethnic
groups. States should also encourage diversity of voices in the media through
incentives and support to community media providing visibility and voice to victims of
racism.
62.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States implement the
recommendations of his predecessors regarding the challenges posed by political
parties with racist and xenophobic platforms. In particular, as stated by his
predecessor, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize the key role that
political parties and leaders could and should play in the fight against racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Because of the audience that they
reach and the moral authority that they carry, it is all the more important for political
leaders to condemn and counter all political messages fuelling racism and xenophobia.
It is also essential for political parties to base their programmes and activities on
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.
63.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States take into account the
important role the Internet has come to play both in providing voice to individual
victims of racial discrimination and, insidiously, as a new arena for the spreading of
racist ideas and views. In this regard he recommends that States promote and ensure
more speech via the use of Internet as an effective means to prevent racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance while fully implementing articles
19 to 22 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. In addition, given the influence of the Internet, States should adopt
concrete measures to address and remedy the digital exclusion of individuals from
discriminated groups who may not be able to access the Internet to challenge racist
views and ideas because of poverty and lack of education. As stated in the Durban
Programme of Action, the Special Rapporteur calls upon States to consider
encouraging access and use of the Internet by all as an international and equal forum,
aware that there are disparities in use of and access to the Internet; and examining
ways in which the positive contribution made by the new information and
communications technologies, such as the Internet, can be enhanced through
replication of good practices in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance.
64.
The Special Rapporteur underscores the role of sport in promoting cultural
diversity, tolerance and harmony and recommends that States take advantage of
sports events such as the World Cup and the Olympics to promote racial and ethnic
harmony. Further, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and sports
associations invest in programmes to prevent racism and racist violence and incidents
at sports events.
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