A/HRC/20/33 maintenance of separate rights for different racial groups and that they shall not be continued after the objectives for which they were taken have been achieved. IV. The role of key actors in preventing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 23. Preventing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance is a multidimensional challenge and any effective preventive agenda must recognize the key roles of a diversity of actors. Whereas States bear the primary responsibility in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the complex nature of racism requires cooperation between, inter alia, political parties, States, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media and private actors. In areas such as education, capacity building and training, awareness-raising, research and monitoring many non-State actors have a central role to play. A. States 24. States are the key actors responsible for creating a legal and policy framework for the prevention of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as well as for the effective implementation of the prevention measures and practices. The Special Rapporteur urges States to take legislative and policy initiatives specifically targeted at the prevention of racism. To complement enforcement measures, States should step up their efforts towards prevention of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in areas such as immigration policy, policing and administration of justice. Human rights training for State officials is also central in this regard. 25. Furthermore, and notwithstanding the diversity of views with regard to multiculturalism, it is crucial that cultural diversity is not denied or suppressed through coercive assimilationist policies and measures. The Special Rapporteur concurs with his predecessors that even well-intentioned assimilationist policies can be in contradiction with international human rights law and exacerbate the problem of marginalization and invisibility of discriminated ethnic groups. Moreover, as stated by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in its general comment no. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to take part in cultural life, this right imposes three types or levels of obligations on States parties: (a) the obligation to respect; (b) the obligation to protect; and (c) the obligation to fulfil. The obligation to respect includes the adoption of specific measures aimed at achieving respect for the right of everyone, individually or in association with others or within a community or group to freely choose their own cultural identity, to belong or not to belong to a community, and have their choice respected. This includes the right not to be subjected to any form of discrimination based on cultural identity, exclusion or forced assimilation.16 26. Monitoring and reporting on progress in addressing the challenges of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia is important for meaningful prevention and enforcement. States have an obligation to their citizens as well as to the international community to report on such progress particularly through the universal periodic review process of the Human Rights Council and reports to the relevant treaty bodies. 16 E/C.12/GC/21, paras. 48-49. 9