E/CN.4/1996/72 page 9 of the cases submitted to him". That is how he is proceeding. The responses of Governments are transmitted to the political authorities (see the case of the fire attack without warning on a woman of Turkish origin in the Land of Bade-Wurtemberg, a case which the Special Rapporteur submitted to the German authorities during his visit to Germany) and to relevant non-governmental organizations. 31. Rather than relying on political and administrative explanations inquiries into racist or xenophobic incidents often run into the sand (those guilty are not found, there is no evidence) - the Special Rapporteur prefers to rely on judicial rulings, for which he has respect. The case of the seven Sudanese "asylum-seekers" which caused a stir in the Bundestag in Germany at the time of the Special Rapporteur’s visit and which was referred to in his discussion with Members of Parliament during the working session that was arranged on 19 September 1995, is a revealing example of this. The great debate which should have been held in the Bundestag on 20 September 1995 did not take place as the case had been "deflated" by the press, which had established that they were "bogus asylum-seekers" who had been "rightly" refused entry. 32. As the Special Rapporteur pointed out at the recapitulatory meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bonn on 27 September, the replies provided give the impression that the only racist or xenophobic incidents or manifestations that are culpable are those that are spectacular and covered prominently by the media, whereas other incidents which occur on a daily basis are treated as inconsequential. Substantial efforts, however, are being made by the Government and by civil society progressively to reduce and even eliminate racism and racial discrimination. 2. Mission to France 33. The Special Rapporteur visited France from 29 September to 9 October 1995 after receiving information on the development of racism and xenophobia. He wishes to convey his deep appreciation to the French Government for having arranged this visit, for the quality of the hospitality received and for the spirit of cooperation displayed by its representatives. 34. In its reports for 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994, the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights noted the multiplication of racist and xenophobic incidents targeting immigrants and French people of foreign origin, particularly Arabs, and of anti-Semitic acts (desecration of cemeteries, graffiti, dissemination of publications). The Special Rapporteur received information on the measures taken by the French Government and on the development of the situation and makes the following observations. 35. France is experiencing problems with the integration of foreign populations or of French citizens of foreign origin (in particular from the Maghreb and from black Africa) and these are typified by the "difficult suburbs" on the periphery of several large cities. These suburbs, where there are concentrations of immigrant populations which seem to have been left behind by the process of development of French society, today exemplify tensions originating in the economic crisis and its corollary, social