A/72/287 Muslims and those perceived as Muslim. This is particularly the case in countries where Muslim identity is racialized or considered foreign. In a national security context, the rhetoric and fear contribute to the legitimization of violence and discriminatory acts of State officials. In many countries, affected groups and communities thus experience an increased incidence of racism and xenophobia, including hate crimes. Furthermore, the constant surveilla nce experienced by many minority and migrant communities has a chilling effect on their freedom of expression and undermines interpersonal and familiar relationships, as well as religious practice. 44. The Special Rapporteur notes that, in the absence of effective integration policies, experiences of racism and xenophobia are often accompanied by political, social and economic exclusion. This leads many minority and migrant communities to feel marginalized and alienated. A recent survey conducted in the European Union found that Muslim respondents who felt discriminated against and/or experienced harassment or violence because of their ethnic or immigrant background showed lower levels of trust in the legal system and the police, as well as a lower level of attachment to their country of residence.57 Racially motivated hate crimes often go unreported because victims lack confidence in the ability or willingness of the police to provide them with access to justice and appropriate remedies. 58 45. The Special Rapporteur expresses concern that the discrimination and exclusion experienced by certain groups in the context of counter-terrorism creates new grievances and escalates existing tensions between the majority and minorities in some countries. Concerns have been expressed that terrorist groups exploit such grievances in their recruiting strategies and that counter -terrorism measures may therefore have counter-productive effects. In the United Nations Global CounterTerrorism Strategy ethnic, national and religious discrimination, political exclusion and socioeconomic marginalization are recognized as some of the factors conducive to the spread of terrorism. 59 In a preparatory report for the Strategy, it was argued that exclusion or discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin or religious belief, and the failure of many countries to integrate minorities or immigrants, create grievances that can be conducive to the recruitment of terrorist, including feelings of alienation and marginalization and an increased propensity to seek socialization in extremist groups. 60 While the Special Rapporteur agrees that such arguments are compelling, he emphasizes the need for further evidence-based research in this regard. C. International, regional and national norms prohibiting racism and xenophobia, especially in the context of countering terrorism 46. The Special Rapporteur draws attention to the various legal and normative frameworks that have been adopted at the international, regional and national levels to curb racism and xenophobia while countering terrorism. 1. International standards 47. The Special Rapporteur recalls that the principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in all core human rights treaties. While these __________________ 57 58 59 60 12/23 European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Second European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey: Muslims — selected findings (Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union (15 September 2017)). European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, “European Union minorities and discrimination survey: main results” (2009), p. 135. See General Assembly resolution 60/288. A/60/825, para. 35. 17-13397