E/CN.4/2005/85 page 8 that country immediately after her visit to Burkina Faso. In her view, over the next few years, as North Africa reinforces its borders with the European Union, the coastline from the north of Senegal to the south of Cameroon will become the main departure point for the boats used in smuggling migrants to Europe. 19. In parallel with her research into “fault lines”, the Special Rapporteur examines the issue of mixed migration and its relationship to refugee outflows in addendum 2 to this report, which contains the report on her visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran (E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.2). She has also travelled to Peru to look at Peruvian emigration, Peru’s policy on protection and consular assistance to its nationals abroad and the situation of foreigners deprived of their liberty. 20. The Special Rapporteur has continued to follow up on the recommendations made in the reports on her visits. Between 2003 and 2004, communications were sent to the Governments of Canada, Ecuador, Morocco, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain and the United States, requesting information on implementation of the recommendations made in the reports on her visits to those countries (E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.1). II. THE WORK OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, 1999-2004 A. Areas of research 21. In her first report to the Commission, the Special Rapporteur stated that she intended to address two areas of research during her mandate, namely (a) racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance towards immigrants; and (b) migrant women, to which she subsequently added the question of unaccompanied minors. Since then, these subjects have been the focus of much of her work. 22. In this report the Special Rapporteur reviews these areas of research in the light of her work over the last five years and events during that period. For reasons of space and to avoid unnecessary duplication, the reader will be referred, where appropriate, to earlier reports containing more detailed discussion of the issues raised. B. Racism, xenophobia and discrimination directed against immigrants 23. The increasing incidence of racism, xenophobia, other forms of discrimination and inhuman and degrading treatment directed against migrants in various parts of the world was one of the factors that prompted the Commission to establish the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on the Human Rights of Migrants2 and subsequently to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants.3 Later, in the Millennium Declaration, Member States resolved to take measures to ensure respect for and protection of the human rights of migrants, migrant workers and their families, to eliminate the increasing acts of racism and xenophobia in many societies and to promote greater harmony and tolerance in all societies.4 All these factors prompted the Special Rapporteur to make this one of her areas of research; she has continued to develop it since taking up her post.