A/HRC/14/43 generate within society, may act as factors contributing to the triggering of tensions or acts of violence between certain groups of the population, both in the long- and short-term. In doing so, he focuses on the following issues: debates surrounding the concept of national identity, socio-economic discrimination affecting individuals along group lines, and the political manipulation of racist or nationalist ideology. This list of issues should not be considered as exhaustive; indeed, the Special Rapporteur is conscious that other issues may also contribute to the triggering of conflicts between groups. As such, he would like to refer to the list of key indicators developed by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/67/1) in order to assess the existence of factors known to be important components of situations leading to conflict and genocide. Likewise, he would like to refer to the Analysis Framework of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (2009),5 which may be used as a guide to monitor and assess the risk of genocide in any given situation. The present report should therefore be seen as complementing these existing instruments. A. Debates surrounding the concept of national identity 5. In recent years, there have been difficult debates in many countries surrounding the issue of so-called “national identity”. While the Special Rapporteur has no intention of taking a position on whether such debates should take place or not, or on which elements should be included in this concept, he nonetheless would like to warn against the potential negative consequences of these debates and highlight how, if not handled carefully, they could foster racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and thereby lead to conflict. While the present section focuses on the concept of national identity and therefore frames the discussion at the level of States, the Special Rapporteur nonetheless believes that the issues raised below may also be relevant when addressing the identity of groups of individuals at the local, regional or supranational levels. 6. The debates surrounding the concept of national identity may help define a common ground whereby individuals and groups of individuals build and advance a common political agenda. They can indeed provide a sense of belonging which helps to build a cohesive nation with shared objectives, values and ideals and to encourage individuals from a broad array of backgrounds to participate in public life so as to instil a sense of ownership regarding the destiny of their country. As such, the debates surrounding national identity may, if handled adequately, contribute to the creation of a framework of tolerance and solidarity between people who differ in terms of, inter alia, social class, political opinion and religion, given their common attachment to the shared ideals and values of their country. 7. While debating the definition of national identity may have a positive outcome for a given State, it may also have adverse effects and prove very divisive. The Special Rapporteur is of the view that the way in which national identity is apprehended, including the consequences on the potential discriminatory treatment that may ensue, is of particular significance when examining how racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance may act as long-term factors in triggering tensions or conflict. Using the concept of national identity in an inappropriate manner may result in determining which individuals are members of the group and which ones are the outsiders. This may lead to a strict, and sometimes irreversible, categorization of individuals into specific groups, therefore compelling them to choose sides. It could also lead to the social exclusion of 5 GE.10-12566 www.un.org/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/OSAPG%20AnalysisFrameworkExternalVersion.pdf. 5