A/71/301 “to support these institutions and similar bodies, inter alia through the publication and circulation of existing national laws and jurisprudence, and cooperation with institutions in other countries, so that knowledge can be gained of the mani festations, functions and mechanisms of these practices and the strategies designed to prevent, combat and eradicate them”. More particularly, at the national level, it is recommended in paragraph 163 of the Programme of Action that for the purposes of effectively combating racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields, the national legislative framework of all States expressly and specifically prohibit racial discrimination and provide effective judicial and other remedies or redress, including through the designation of national, independent, specialized bodies. 18. At the regional and international levels, States are urged in paragraph 188 of the Programme of Action “to support the activities of regional bodies or centres which combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance where they exist in their region”, and the establishment of such bodies or centres is recommended in all regions where they do not exist. It is stated that: “These bodies or centres may undertake the following activities, amongst others: assess and follow up the situation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and of individuals or groups of individuals who are victims thereof or subject thereto; identify trends, issues and problems; collect, disseminate and exchange information, inter alia relevant to the outcome of the regional conferences and the World Conference, and build networks to these ends; highlight examples of good practices; organize awareness-raising campaigns; develop proposals, solutions and preventive measures, where possible and appropriate, through joint efforts by coordinating with the United Nations, regional organizations and S tates and national human rights institutions” (See A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1, chap. I). 2. Regional level European region 19. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, established in 1993 by the Council of Europe, recommended in its general policy recommendation No. 2, on specialized bodies to combat racism, xenophobia, anti -Semitism and intolerance at the national level, “to consider carefully the possibility of setting up a specialised body to combat racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance at national level, if such a body does not already exist”. 5 20. European Union directive 2000/43/EC, also known as the Race Equality Directive, prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnic origin. It covers issues of employment and occupation, vocational training, membership of employer and employee organizations, social protection, including social security and health care, education and access to goods and services that are avai lable to the public, including housing. Pursuant to the directive, all member States must have or create a specialized body for the promotion of equal treatment on the grounds of race and ethnic origin. It is mentioned in paragraph 24 of the directive that : “protection against discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin would itself be strengthened by the existence of a body or bodies in each Member State, with __________________ 5 6/21 European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, document CRI(97)36. 16-13565