A/61/335 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 60/144 of 16 December 2005 on global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the General Assembly — inter alia on the basis of the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions and recommendations — pronounced itself alarmed at the increase in racist violence and xenophobic ideas in many parts of the world, in political circles, in the sphere of public opinion and in society at large, inter alia, as a result of the resurgent activities of associations established on the basis of racist and xenophobic platforms and charters. 2. The General Assembly expressed its unequivocal condemnation of all forms of racism and racial discrimination, including acts of racially motivated violence, xenophobia and intolerance, as well as propaganda activities and organizations that attempt to justify or promote it in any form. The Assembly also expressed its deep concern at recent attempts to establish hierarchies among emerging and resurgent forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and urged States to adopt measures to address these scourges. It emphasized that it was the responsibility of States to adopt effective measures to combat criminal acts motivated by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including measures to ensure that such motivations are considered an aggravating factor for the purposes of sentencing, to prevent those crimes from going unpunished and to ensure the rule of law. 3. The General Assembly condemned the misuse of print, audio-visual and electronic media and new communication technologies, including the Internet, to incite violence motivated by racial hatred, and called upon States to take all necessary measures to combat this form of racism in accordance with the commitments that they have undertaken under the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, in accordance with existing international and regional standards of freedom of expression and taking all necessary measures to guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression. It also encouraged States to include in their educational curricula and social programmes education on knowledge of and tolerance and respect for foreign cultures, peoples and countries. 4. The General Assembly also recognized with deep concern the increase in antiSemitism, Christianophobia and Islamophobia in various parts of the world, as well as the emergence of racial and violent movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas directed against Arab, Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, communities of people of African descent, communities of people of Asian descent and other communities. 5. The General Assembly requested the Special Rapporteur to continue giving particular attention to the negative impact of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the full enjoyment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights by national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, immigrant populations, asylum-seekers and refugees. The Assembly expressed its full support and appreciation for the work of the Special Rapporteur and urged Member States to continue to cooperate with him, calling upon them to consider responding favourably to his requests for visits so as to enable him to fulfil his mandate fully and effectively. It also encouraged Member States and other 4 06-51904