A/HRC/35/42 27. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur received allegations of incidents that glorify and promote Nazism, such as pro-Nazi graffiti and paintings of swastikas on monuments dedicated to victims of the Holocaust or in Jewish schools. He reiterates his condemnations of such acts and reminds States that commemorations of the Nazi regime, in all forms, should be prohibited. 28. The Special Rapporteur recalls the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust and the importance of education to prevent all forms of anti-Semitism and discrimination, as stated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in his statement on 27 January 2017.2 Education is one of the most efficient means to combat Holocaust denial and revisionism by extreme right-wing groups. 29. The Special Rapporteur recalls that it is necessary to criminalize acts of belittlement or denial, as such acts create a favourable environment for the dissemination and rehabilitation of Nazism and other extremist ideologies, and constitute hate speech under article 4 (a) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 30. The Special Rapporteur raises concerns on the use of the Internet and social media by extremist parties and groups, including populist movements, to spread intolerant hate-speech and gain supporters worldwide by posting public materials that fuel racism and violence. The Special Rapporteur expresses serious concern regarding the lack of sanctions in cases of violation of legislation related to social media in many States. Online hate speech is rarely sanctioned by justice systems and conviction rates are very low. The Internet and social media are also used to spread hate speech and discriminatory political discourse based on race, religion and, in particular, against minority groups, refugees, Muslims, Jews and members of the Roma community. 31. Allegations of violent acts perpetrated by certain populist, far-right and neo-Nazi groups against minority groups often involve homosexual, bisexual, lesbian and transgender individuals. The same groups that attack and discriminate racial and ethnic minorities are also involved in attacks against individuals based on their sexual identity. 32. The Special Rapporteur recalls the need to promote tolerance, respect of diversity and common understanding. The multiplicity of components of each individual’s identity can lead to intersectional discrimination, which needs to be addressed by States. The Special Rapporteur notes with concern the growing trend in underreported racial crimes against homosexual, bisexual, lesbian and transgender persons, which can be considered as interlinked forms of discrimination. 33. The Special Rapporteur has already expressed grave concern regarding the increasing use of racist symbols, slogans and banners during sports events (see A/HRC/26/50, A/HRC/29/47 and A/HRC/32/49). Considering the influence of professional athletes on young people and the increase in racist incidents, the Special Rapporteur urges States to take all measures necessary to address this problem and the violence spread by extremist groups of supporters. He would like to recall the provisions of Human Rights Council resolution 13/27 regarding the need for States, sport federations and regional or international organizations to intensify the fight against racism in sport, as sport is and should remain a means of bringing cultures together, and a way to overcome social and political divisions. III. Conclusions and recommendations 34. The Special Rapporteur reiterates the recommendations contained in his previous reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, as they remain valid and current. They are presented again below, clustered by thematic area for easy reference. 2 6 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21124&LangID=E.