A/49/677 English Page 13 Africans in Mauritania and Tuaregs and black Africans in Mali have also drawn the attention of the Special Rapporteur. 54. In the United States of America, it is the country’s African-American, Jewish, Arab, Hispanic (Latino) and Asian citizens as well as the indigenous population (Amerindians) who have daily experience of racism and racial discrimination, even though racial segregation has been officially abolished. In addition to these communities, which experience problems of integration into society, there are immigrants who come from the same countries. Here, the discrimination is indirect, subtle and condoned by the federal system, with individual states using their internal autonomy to bypass or oppose federal laws. A case in point is Proposition 187, recently adopted in California and now the subject of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, the liberal ideology which informs American society is reflected in an individualism which borders on egoism; merit or professional success becomes a dogma that ignore the causes of social inequalities, which have their origin in slavery and racial segregation, and dooms the positive steps taken by the federal Government to reduce inequalities and strike a balance between the different communities. 55. The universally proclaimed interdependence and indivisibility of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights are not yet fully established in the United States of America. It is precisely in the socio-economic realm of housing, education, health and employment that African-Americans, native Americans, Hispanics and Asians suffer the most insidious racial discrimination. Women belonging to these communities suffer from double discrimination, particularly in employment. Police brutality and flaws in the criminal justice system are illustrated by frequent incidents which are given wide coverage in the mass media. It should also be noted that latent or muted tensions exist, caused by economic factors which accentuate the tendency of ethnic minority communities to live in ghettoes. Jews are particularly targeted by the racist propaganda of extreme right-wing movements. Their property is attacked and burned; their synagogues and cemeteries are desecrated. 56. Immigration is becoming more and more strictly regulated. Fear of being "invaded" by foreigners, a refusal to share the pie with newcomers and problems in bringing about national social and economic integration pose a challenge to the world’s greatest Power. In recognition of that challenge, the United States authorities have made laudable efforts, which will be discussed in the mission report. 57. In Europe, an unwholesome climate may be observed 20/ in which xenophobia and racism are flourishing. The principal victims of this situation are immigrants and refugees from developing countries (Africans, Asians, Arabs and Turks) and the countries of Eastern Europe, including Gypsies. Legislation enacted by a number of European countries and by the European Union increasingly discriminates against these groups. There is thus a growing perception that Europe should be a continent inhabited chiefly, if not exclusively, by Europeans: "Third country nationals have no rights under the Single European Act and the distinguishing criterion of race has been introduced with a system of pass laws." 21/ /...