E/CN.4/1996/72 page 6 18. Thanks to the firm authorities and those of right and neo-Nazi cells Germany has been able to inspired violence which, to 1993. and meticulous policy pursued by the Federal the Länder against political organizations of the far and against the denial of the genocide of the Jews, stem the tide of xenophobia and to curb the racially following reunification, shook the country from 1991 19. According to information from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice, racial, anti-Semitic and xenophobic acts are on the decline; they fell by 60 per cent in 1994; in 1995, however, they remained a major factor: fires of criminal origin occurred in April, May and June 1995. Direct confrontation between the protagonists no longer takes place but racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic statements are made, and written material is sent, comprising insults or racist propaganda or incitements to hatred of foreigners coming from "anti-constitutional movements"; similarly, there are instances of damage to property. There is a great risk of becoming inured to these manifestations which are frequent and unspectacular. This is particularly the case, so it is said, since the perpetrators are not all identifiable and that it proves difficult to characterize such actions in legal terms: "It is not always clear what is racist, anti-Semitic or xenophobic". 20. There is a clear awareness of the danger for Germany of the development of xenophobia and racism which is likely to tarnish its image as a major Power in the world. Thus, the Special Rapporteur was often told: "We have not forgotten anything and we know we must behave in an exemplary fashion". As a result, great vigilance is shown towards the far right and neo-Nazism and there is a sustained offensive against anti-Semitism and xenophobia. 21. The Special Rapporteur was able to ascertain the progress achieved: legislation has been strengthened, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution monitors respect for rights and fundamental freedoms. Several organizations of the far right have been dissolved and the activities of neo-Nazi movements, in particular their racist and anti-Semitic propaganda, have been prohibited. Anti-Semitism is a taboo subject. Since it persists, the Government has spent about 10 million deutsche marks over two years in order to combat anti-Semitism in schools and other places of assembly (through advertising posters, computer games, and so forth). As a result of severe penalties and of improvements made to police training through the teaching of the principles of non-discrimination and inculcating awareness of non-racist attitudes, police violence is on the decrease. Moreover, the judgement in the Soligen case 1/ sends an exemplary message and appears to act as a deterrent. Furthermore, Germany civil society, under the leadership of the Commissioners for Aliens, the churches, various associations and private firms, has conducted and continues to conduct intensive campaigns calling for respect for foreigners and coexistence with foreign populations and communities resident in Germany. 22. It remains for Germany to adopt a more coherent immigration and integration policy which takes account of the presence of long-established immigrants not as a transitory phenomenon but as a long-term and even