E/CN.4/1996/72/Add.3 page 48 CHAPTER II ACTION BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THE COURTS TO COMBAT RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA IN 1994 I. THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN RESPECT OF RACIST CRIME On 10 December 1993, at the plenary meeting of the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights held at the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pierre Mehaignerie, the Minister of Justice, said he was concerned to ensure that prevention is encouraged as an essential measure in this field, especially as far as young adolescents are concerned. Early in 1994, 50,000 copies of a pamphlet entitled “Guide to anti-racist legislation” were distributed free of charge by the Ministry of Justice. This practical guide was intended to perform the often neglected task of informing the public at large by offering an overview of the various racist offences and the remedies available to the victims. On the basis of the circular issued by the Department of Criminal Cases and Pardons on 12 March 1993, the active participation of Government Procurators in departmental units to combat racism makes it possible to meet with anti-racist associations, discuss local problems together and exchange information. The “departmental coordination unit to combat racism, xenophobia and antisemitism”, set up within each “departmental council for the prevention of delinquency” under the circular issued by the Prime Minister to the prefects on 1 March 1993, meets at least once a year to monitor problems of racism, initiate warning procedures, if necessary, collect information on local criminal policy, promote the amicable settlement of disputes and, in the light of particular local characteristics, propose measures to strengthen social cohesiveness. Thus, as a result of the firm and vigilant implementation of criminal legislation on racism deriving from the many circulars on the public right of action issued to the Government Procurator's Office since 1972, a policy for the prevention of racist crime has been taking shape with the assistance of the Prosecution Service. II. JUDICIAL MEASURES TO PREVENT RACIST OFFENCES IN THE CONTEXT OF URBAN POLICY Most districts which are underprivileged both in terms of town planning and in economic, social or cultural terms are hosts to a large proportion of foreign families or families of foreign origin who are usually over-represented in such areas. Neighbourhood conflicts arising out of different cultural practices are common. Urban judicial policy, which is designed to develop a system of neighbourhood justice by providing for mediation in criminal matters and setting up remand centres and duty offices for aid-to-victims' associations in these sensitive areas goes a long way towards preventing conflicts related to problems of cohabitation.