A/HRC/7/19 page 7 been discussed in intellectual, social and, in particular, political circles - especially in connection with the Federal Council elections on 12 December 2007 - illustrates the vitality of democratic debate on these issues within Swiss society. 15. The Special Rapporteur has noted with great interest, in this context, the personal commitment and high degree of motivation and sensitivity of senior officials in a number of federal and local institutions, including the Anti-Racism Department, and the Federal Commission against Racism, and also cantonal and municipal integration officers. In particular, he wishes to express his gratitude to the Federal Commission against Racism for its initiative in organizing a meeting, on 6 December 2007, with the cantonal and municipal integration officers, which was also attended by senior officials of the Anti-Racism Department. The meeting not only provided an opportunity for a productive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, but above all covered challenges, progress and obstacles relating to the promotion of mutually beneficial coexistence among communities, acceptance of diversity and multiculturalism, and efforts to combat all forms and manifestations of racism and xenophobia. 16. The Special Rapporteur has noted with great interest the election, on 21 October 2007, of Mr. Ricardo Lumengo, a former asylum-seeker of Angolan origin, to the Swiss National Council; he thus became the first black deputy to enter the lower chamber of the Federal Parliament. The Special Rapporteur considers that this election - which also testifies to the inherent democratic vitality of Swiss society - constitutes a significant step towards reinforcing the visibility and representation of communities which have long been confined to invisibility and social, economic and political marginalization because of various discriminatory practices. 17. Following up on his visit to the Russian Federation,3 the Special Rapporteur notes with concern the persistent racist and xenophobic violence in the country, manifested, inter alia, by the growing number of racist and xenophobic incidents, including those perpetrated by neo-Nazi groups, the violence of which has increasingly led to killings of non-Slavic persons originating from Africa, Asia, the Arab world and the Caucasus. In the opinion of the Special Rapporteur, the persistence of such acts, despite the remarkable increase in prosecutions and convictions for acts motivated by racial or religious hatred in recent months, represents the most serious threat not only to the construction of a democratic, egalitarian and interactive multiculturalism, but also to the progress of democracy in the Russian Federation. This persistent problem demands focused political commitment, exemplary punishments, and a large-scale intellectual and cultural strategy to guarantee harmonious coexistence in a society profoundly characterized by multiculturalism. 18. In this connection, the Special Rapporteur considers that the mobilization and dynamism of Russian civil society in combating racism and xenophobia are particularly significant. He especially appreciated the letter he received in September 2007 from the main non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in efforts to combat racism and xenophobia in Russia, giving full support to the recommendations made in his mission report, which were considered to be an important basis for the formulation of a national programme to combat discrimination and racism. 3 A/HRC/4/19/Add.3.