A/HRC/14/43/Add.2 72. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to highlight the need to address the comprehensive socio-economic structures that may positively affect the integration of foreigners. Direct and indirect discrimination in areas such as housing, employment and education have contributed to the exclusion of persons with a migration background, leading them to live in ghettoized communities and be seen by the public at large as “unwilling” to integrate. 73. While the importance of addressing new forms of racism and discrimination cannot be overstated, the Special Rapporteur also calls attention to the need to address more traditional manifestations of racism in the country. In particular, despite the high level of awareness within German society of the danger posed to the very foundations of the democratic system by right-wing extremism, radical right-wing groups continue to exist, particularly youth organizations and nationalist political parties. Parties like the NPD have seats in local parliaments and town councils. Although there is a commendable reluctance from mainstream parties to collaborate with the NPD or allow it to join coalitions, the NPD is still involved and vocal in political debates, including on sensitive questions like immigration. While this phenomenon is more prevalent in the east, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that these groups and parties are active nationwide. 74. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the situation of refugees and asylumseekers in Germany. While he acknowledges that Germany has generally been an open country in accepting refugees and asylum-seekers, the Special Rapporteur notes that some major concerns were brought to his attention regarding the living conditions of these groups. In particular, the condition of reception centres for asylum-seekers was considered to be deplorable in some areas. Some reception centres are situated far from large urban areas, making it difficult for children to get access to quality education. The Special Rapporteur also noted that while most asylum claims are processed within three months, a number of cases continue for a longer period, sometimes years, with asylum-seekers being confined to reception centres for the duration of the process. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned about the limited freedom of movement granted to refugees, who often cannot leave their own districts. This limitation also prevents them from seeking employment or education away from the locations where they are hosted, contributing to the perpetuation of their poor socio-economic status. 75. The Special Rapporteur noted during the mission that, as a consequence of naturalization rules in Germany, persons with a migration background have been underrepresented in the political process, both as voters and as representatives. Such underrepresentation has a major impact on the power of such communities to influence policymaking and to have a say in the decisions taken in their local communities, as well as at the federal level. Many migrant communities have also pointed to what they consider to be an unfair practice, whereby European Union citizens who have resided in Germany for more than six months are allowed to vote in local elections, whereas foreign citizens who have resided in the country for many years are not granted a similar right. Granting migrants who have lived in Germany for a certain period of time the right to vote in local elections would not only improve their representation in local political institutions, but also increase the sense of ownership of these communities over the political process and government decisions. 76. Despite all the efforts undertaken by the German Government to bring about the integration of its migrant communities, the Special Rapporteur notes that such communities are still underrepresented in public life, particularly in the civil service. Some central State institutions such as the police and the courts have very few members who are from a migration background. Similarly, in the media and the private sector such persons are very underrepresented. Representation and visibility of minorities are key to ensuring their proper integration into German society. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the fact that, 18 GE.10-11624