A/HRC/29/47 11. Hate speech targeting refugees in particular has resulted in actual violence against that group as well as persons perceived to belong to it. As noted in the report of the Special Rapporteur to the General Assembly (A/69/334), racial discrimination and related intolerance are common reasons for persons to flee their countries and can also threaten the protection of asylum seekers and refugees at the different stages of the displacement cycle. In Southern Africa, foreign nationals are increasingly viewed as competitors for scarce economic opportunities, which can fuel xenophobia and have a negative impact on the protection environment for refugees and asylum seekers in the region. Furthermore, as explained in the above-mentioned report, the lack of legal and normative frameworks relating to international protection in Asia and the Pacific region compromises the rights afforded to displaced persons who may be in need of international protection as a result of ethnic, racial or xenophobic persecution in their country of origin. Ensuring that humanitarian responses are not hampered by the focus on migration policy and border protection remains a challenge. 12. As previously illustrated (A/HRC/23/24), the Special Rapporteur has received further information regarding cases of extremism in police forces. In some countries, members of the police force openly propagate far-right, nationalistic and xenophobic ideas and discourse in their official capacity as guardians of public order and civil servants of the State. He is particularly concerned at reports from Eastern Europe that police officers are sometimes reluctant to intervene to stop harassment, verbal abuse and violent attacks and/or receive complaints from victims of racist and xenophobic crimes, particularly migrants and those from minority groups, and to investigate those incidents. That not only makes victims more reluctant to report racist or xenophobic acts, especially if they have irregular residence status in a particular country, but also creates a climate of impunity for extremist and vigilante groups. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned at allegations of increasing police involvement in crimes of sexual and gender-based violence against women of African descent and women from ethnic minorities, which often go unreported or are not thoroughly investigated. 13. The Special Rapporteur has received reports of attacks by individuals and groups linked to far-right and neo-Nazi groups on homosexual and bisexual men, and lesbian and transgender women. The same groups that attack, discriminate and promote discrimination against racial minorities are also involved in attacks against individuals on the basis of their sexual identity. 14. In the opinion of the Special Rapporteur, the identity of an individual is made up of multiple components, including gender, age, nationality, profession, sexual orientation, political opinion, religious affiliation and social origin; therefore, tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for all, without prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, should be the basis of human relations of any kind. He also notes the underreporting of that type of violence and urges States to take the necessary measures to address the multiple and often interlinked forms of discrimination faced by individuals on the basis of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation. 15. The impact of racist and xenophobic ideas and values on some of the most vulnerable groups who have been most affected by the financial and economic crisis, such as young people, the elderly and impoverished citizens, is also of concern to the Special Rapporteur. Those groups are likely to feel the full negative effects of high unemployment and cuts in social services. In countries and regions such as Eastern and Southern Europe, which have been hardest hit by austerity measures, those persons often do not see a future for themselves or opportunities for improvement. Extremist ideologies can thus grow easily in such a climate of discontent. The Special Rapporteur recalls the view he set out in a previous report (A/HRC/23/24) that education is important and it is the responsibility of the State to counter the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred and to 6