E/CN.4/2001/21 page 10 “The overwhelming majority of the country’s inhabitants belong to European ethnic groups. Owing to the absence of any notable social divisions, conditions are not conducive to the dissemination of racist ideas within Belarusian society. Members of national minorities occupy high positions in society by virtue of their prominent positions in the economic, political and cultural life of the country. A good number of basic indicators (level of education, income, etc.) reveal that members of most national minorities are at the same level as Belarusians or even above; this is explained above all by the fact that the size of these minorities has been increased by a large number of highly-qualified migrants from other regions of the former Soviet Union. Belarusian society has remained pluri-ethnic during the past 10 years. The many sociological surveys carried out during the 1990s reveal that the overwhelming majority of Belarusian citizens do not in any way base their choice of friends or political beliefs on national, racial or religious criteria; moreover, the fact that they belong to a certain ethnic group does not have any bearing on their chances of success, professionally, in their careers, etc. Statistics indicate that there is an extremely high proportion of inter-ethnic couples (over 40 per cent). During a national survey conducted in 1997, only 4.5 per cent of respondents stated that they had been victims of discrimination of some kind or other and only 1.5 per cent said that they had experienced discrimination based on their ethnic origin. There is a large body of national legislation that is designed to curb racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Any stand in favour of ethnic, racial or religious hatred is prohibited by law; it is regarded as an incitation to discrimination, hostility or violence and the person responsible is prosecuted. Specifically, the Penal Code of Belarus in the chapter on ‘Crimes against the State’ (art. 71), states that any person who disseminates propaganda that advocates hatred or national, racial or religious discord, that is an affront to national dignity or honour or that calls for privileges or the restriction of rights specifically on the basis of race or national origin or attitude to religion may be punished by imprisonment of six months to three years. In 2000, for example, the editors of the Nacha Niva and Bielorousskaya Dielovaya Gazeta newspapers were warned for having published articles containing statements inciting ethnic hatred.” 19. Bodies encouraging dialogue and consensus-building have been established to curb racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. The State Committee for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Belarus was established in 1997. In cooperation with the agencies concerned and with the support of interested associations the Committee, using scientific methods, follows the evolution of inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations, takes steps to increase the awareness of officials of law enforcement bodies and educators and provides them with methodological guidance, in addition to various other measures. The Coordination Council for the National Minorities of Belarus has been established in order to promote the exercise by Belarusian citizens of all ethnic origins of their rights and the formulation of recommendations. This Council, which is subordinate to the State Committee for Religious and Ethnic Affairs, consists of officials of ethno-cultural associations and representatives of ministries and other State bodies, whose activities are connected with the rights and interests of national minorities. It is a special advisory body whose purpose is to ensure that the specific interests of various minorities and of the State are taken into account in the elaboration of public sectoral policies. The Belarusian authorities regard the maintenance of good relations between the country’s ethnic groups as one of the major achievements of the past decade. The highest officials of the State, and in particular the President of the Republic, Mr. Lukashenko, have on a