A/HRC/4/39 page 9 the development and adoption of legal norms prohibiting profiling; the development and implementation of a strategy to recruit people of African descent residing in Europe to the law enforcement field; the strengthening of community relations; and the commissioning of a special study on the phenomenon of the impact of racial profiling on people of African descent residing in Europe. 38. Peter Lesa Kasanda, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, made a presentation focused on the human impact of racial profiling. He stressed that racial profiling is a violation of human rights law. He also stressed that its practice is not only limited to people of African descent. He further stressed that racial practices occur in many contexts. He then presented an overview of studies on racial profiling in different countries. 39. Mr. Kasanda said that racial profiling is an attack on human dignity, inflicting psychological and emotional pain on its victims. Racial profiling leaves its victims angry, frustrated and humiliated. He stressed that racial profiling erodes public confidence in law enforcement agencies, especially among youths. Racial profiling diminishes the sense of citizenship of its victims, as they feel alienated from society. It disrupts the relationship between the community and law enforcement officers by branding whole communities as suspects and encouraging prejudice against law enforcement agencies by the targeted population. Item 6 (e): The problem of impunity and accountability relating to acts of racial profiling 40. Robert L. Wilkins, partner at Venable LLP, Washington D.C., made a presentation on fighting impunity and forcing accountability within law enforcement with regard to racial profiling in the United States of America. He stressed that, although there have been improvements in some areas, racial profiling is still a serious problem in the United States. Mr. Wilkins focused his attention on traffic stops and automobile searches. He recalled an incident of racial profiling of which he and his family were the victims and the legal action his family took thereafter against the law enforcement authorities. He then proceeded to propose what would be in his view essential components of a successful campaign for accountability. According to him, a successful strategy would include three key components: first, there must be a concerted effort to engage the citizenry, the political leadership, and the law enforcement community on the problem of racial profiling and to make the issue a priority; second, it is essential to have data collection; third, any effective strategy must strive to create a culture of accountability within law enforcement. 41. Margaret Parsons, African Canadian Legal Clinic, made a presentation focusing on the problem of accountability relating to acts of racial profiling. She stressed the importance of independent accountability mechanisms that address organizational change and hold institutions and individuals accountable, to counter impunity for racial profiling. Ms. Parsons spoke of the measures taken by the African Canadian community to increase the accountability of public institutions and State actors, notably by raising awareness of racism within the police forces, providing the police with anti-racism training, and requiring a clear definition of reasonable suspicion. She discussed best practice with regard to accountability, emphasizing the need for oversight mechanisms, diversity in the police forces and clearer police guidelines on reasonable suspicion. She stressed that anti-racist auditing is an important means of making police forces