A/65/295 tensions, and eventually to conflict. The Special Rapporteur therefore recommended that debates surrounding the concept of national identity not be used as a tool to create artificial differences between some groups of the population, and that they take into account the multiplicity of identities of each individual, so as to avoid the trap of defining identity exclusively on the grounds of ethnicity or nationality. He also recommended that States take all necessary measures, including through affirmative action, to prevent, prohibit, sanction and offer compensation for socio-economic discriminatory practices targeting certain groups of individuals. With regard to political manipulation of racist or nationalist ideology, the Special Rapporteur recommended that an effective response thereto must follow a comprehensive approach, taking into account all structural conditions which enabled such manipulation to affect mindsets and attitudes within society. 6. In his report, the Special Rapporteur also addressed the question of hate speech as a factor that contributes to the exacerbation of a conflict. Relying on the dehumanization of the other, hate speech may become an effective tool in times of conflict to incite people to commit acts of violence, including killings, against specific individuals or groups of individuals. Hence, the Special Rapporteur recommended that States fully comply with their international obligations, in particular with article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and he recalled that such obligations remain applicable in times of conflict. 7. In the context of post-conflict situations, the Special Rapporteur affirmed in his report that it is essential to ensure that the root causes of a conflict are appropriately addressed to avoid the resurgence of tensions and violence. He emphasized that this is of particular importance in the aftermath of internal conflicts, where people who have fought against each other continue living together. Peace agreements and peacekeeping missions play a key role in addressing the root causes of a conflict, including those related to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In that regard, he referred to several examples of good practices and emphasized several elements that are essential to ensure the success of a peace process. 8. Concluding that racism may lead to genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, in particular in the context of conflicts, the Special Rapporteur emphasized the State’s primary responsibility to protect its population. He, however, recalled that the responsibility to protect is also an obligation of the international community. Indeed, the international community, including the United Nations, has the duty to provide assistance to the State when requested; nevertheless, it also has the obligation to act in cases where the State fails or refuses to protect its population. 9. On 15 June 2010, the Special Rapporteur addressed the issue of racism and conflict in a joint press release 2 concerning ethnic violence, which had claimed hundreds of lives and left many hundreds more injured in Kyrgyzstan. Expressing alarm and deep concern about the outbreak of violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks, the Special Rapporteur called upon the provisional government to __________________ 2 4 Available from http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID= 10152&LangID=E. 10-48481