A/HRC/14/43 the enactment of the General Equal Treatment Act and the establishment of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency; (b) the shift in Germany’s approach towards recognizing the contribution of migrant communities in the country, which reflects a commitment from the authorities to devise a new approach for the integration of migrants in German society; and (c) the wide array of grass-roots projects to fight racism and promote integration, which are generally implemented in partnership with active civil society organizations and often supported by the federal or local governments. 54. Despite the important progress achieved since the visit of his predecessor in 1997, the Special Rapporteur pointed to a number of challenges that need to be met in order to further improve the framework to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in Germany. He is convinced that one of the central problems in furthering the fight against racism is the narrow understanding of racism in practice that for many years prevailed within German society, as well as the difficult implementation of anti-discrimination provisions at the local level due to the country’s strong federal structure. In this regard, he recommended that the concept of racism, both in the legislative framework and in practice, be expanded beyond a focus on right-wing extremism and that the federal Government work alongside the governments at the Länder and municipal levels to ensure that Germany’s international obligations to fight racism are implemented at lower levels of government. 55. In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommended the strengthening of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and the undertaking of awareness-raising campaigns in order to inform the public about the anti-discrimination legislative and institutional framework. He raised concerns vis-à-vis the existence of radical right-wing groups; the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers; and the education, housing, employment and political participation of persons with a migrant background or coming from minority ethnic or religious backgrounds. In particular, he strongly recommended that asylum-seekers’ applications be processed in a short period of time and that the Government ensure that the economic, social and cultural rights of asylum-seekers are respected. The Special Rapporteur also strongly recommended that special measures be taken to ensure an adequate representation of persons with a migrant background or coming from minority, ethnic or religious backgrounds in State institutions. 2. Mission to the United Arab Emirates 56. The Special Rapporteur visited the United Arab Emirates from 4 to 8 October 2009. He wishes to express his sincere gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its cooperation and openness throughout the visit. 57. In his report (A/HRC/14/43/Add.3), the Special Rapporteur emphasized that the United Arab Emirates is today one of the largest recipient countries of foreign workers and has as such become one of the most multicultural countries on earth. It is therefore a unique country where nationals are a numerical minority in their own country. The Special Rapporteur recalled that the influx of foreign workers has significantly contributed to the building of a prosperous country. Yet, it has also created tremendous challenges for the Emirati society in terms of national identity, social integration and capacity for absorption. In particular, the Special Rapporteur raised issues related to the definition of the Emirati national identity and the granting of citizenship; the living and working conditions of unskilled foreign workers, in particular construction and domestic workers; the vulnerable situation of stateless persons; human trafficking; the educational policy; and the legal and institutional human rights framework to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 58. The Government has taken commendable initiatives in recent years to address some of the numerous challenges. These include initiatives taken to address the human rights 16 GE.10-12566