A/HRC/32/49
far-right, nationalistic and xenophobic ideas and discourse in their official capacity as
guardians of public order and civil servants of the State (see also A/HRC/23/24 and
A/HRC/29/47). He is particularly concerned at reports indicating that, in some Eastern
European States police officers are sometimes reluctant to intervene to stop harassment,
verbal abuse or violent attacks and/or to receive complaints from victims of racist and
xenophobic crimes, particularly migrants and those from minority groups, and to
investigate those incidents. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned at allegations of
increasing police involvement in crimes of sexual and gender-based violence against
women of African descent and women from ethnic minorities, which often go unreported or
are not thoroughly investigated.
12.
The Special Rapporteur takes this opportunity to reiterate his concerns that many
racist crimes go unreported owing to the reluctance of victims to come forward and report
incidents to the appropriate authorities for fear of reprisal or prosecution (especially if their
residence status is precarious or irregular), a belief that police will not investigate, or a lack
of trust in the criminal justice system, in addition to language barriers and ignorance of
their rights (see also A/HRC/23/24 and A/HRC/29/47). Furthermore, the lack of accurate
and current ethnically disaggregated data, including sex-disaggregated data, particularly
regarding irregular migrants and asylum seekers, may give the impression that racist crimes
by extremist political parties, movements and groups do not exist or are less prevalent than
they actually are. The Special Rapporteur urges States to take further measures to better
engage with victims in order to mitigate their fears, and to create a sense of trust between
victims, police and prosecution. States and civil society entities should also establish
detailed systems for recording, reporting and monitoring such incidents and for
encouraging victims to report them.
13.
The Special Rapporteur also received reports of attacks by individuals and groups
linked to far-right and neo-Nazi groups on homosexual, bisexual, lesbian and transgender
individuals. The same groups that attack, discriminate and promote discrimination against
racial minorities are also involved in attacks against individuals on the basis of their sexual
identity. The Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that the identity of an individual is made
up of multiple components, including gender, age, nationality, profession, sexual
orientation, political opinion, religious affiliation and social origin; tolerance, mutual
understanding and respect for all, without prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, should
therefore be the basis of human relations of any kind. He also notes the multiple and often
interlinked forms of discrimination that individuals face on the basis of their race, colour,
descent, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation, and in this regard draws attention to
the underreporting of racial violence directed at homosexual, bisexual, lesbian and
transgender persons. He therefore urges States to take the measures necessary to address the
intersectional nature of different forms of discrimination.
14.
With reference to his previous reports (see A/HRC/26/50 and A/HRC29/47), the
Special Rapporteur expresses his concern at the increase in reported cases of racist symbols
and banners displayed during football matches, and the racist slogans and gestures used on
those occasions. Given the important role that professional athletes play in inspiring young
people, those incidents are of particular concern. Once again, the Special Rapporteur
reiterates his view that there is no place for racism and intolerance in sport. He recalls the
requirements set out in Human Rights Council resolution 13/27, in which the Council urged
States and relevant international and regional organizations to intensify the fight against
racism in sport, including by developing and implementing codes of conduct that address
the issue of extremist ideologies and intolerance among supporters.
4