A/HRC/35/41 and restrictive immigration policies, targeted gang violence, police harassment, profiling and stereotyping in the media. 5 12. The Special Rapporteur noted that there were various causes of xenophobic attitudes and practices. Some studies have rooted discrimination and bias in human psychology, asserting that people are naturally and inherently scared of those they perceive as different. Ignorance, lack of knowledge about migrants and/or foreigners or socialization itself may also contribute to xenophobia. Other studies have suggested that in times of economic, political or social instability, people often experience a “deficit of belonging”, which leads to a tendency to draw boundaries as a way of achieving individual or collective security. 6 13. Although xenophobia negatively impacts groups and individuals who are perceived as foreign in all countries throughout the world, there is a need to better understand how xenophobia manifests itself differently in different global regions. The Special Rapporteur’s work is aimed at improving our understanding of these differences by contextualizing how xenophobia operates in specific regions. 14. The Special Rapporteur noted that it was important that both the mandate as well as other relevant United Nations mechanisms and States maintained a focus on the issue of xenophobia at the global level as it was likely to remain an ongoing challenge. Legal, policy and programmatic measures at the national level were, in particular, key to preventing the spread of xenophobic discrimination and violence and ensuring that those who find themselves victims are accorded the necessary support. Global measures for prevention and accountability remain key and, in that regard, the Special Rapporteur noted with appreciation that the Secretary-General was leading a global campaign against the issue of xenophobia. Similarly, he considered it fitting that xenophobia remained on the agenda of the ongoing discussions and negotiations for the global compact on safe and orderly migration. Racial profiling in law enforcement 15. In his 2015 report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur addressed the phenomenon of racial profiling in law enforcement (A/HRC/29/46). He discussed the implicit biases and how they impacted the frequency of stops and criminal sentences. Racial and ethnic profiling is commonly understood as a reliance by law enforcement, security and border control personnel on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin as a basis for subjecting individuals to detailed searches, identity checks and investigations, or for deciding that an individual is engaged in criminal activity. Its use has often arisen in connection with national security or immigration policies, yet various studies have shown that it is ineffective. 16. In the report, the Special Rapporteur gave an overview of various and increasingly prevalent manifestations of racial or ethnic profiling. The “stop and frisk” operation often disproportionately targets vulnerable populations. Police may also disproportionately target certain minority groups for traffic stops. Profiling also occurs when officials perform identity checks, ostensibly to address irregular immigration. Another manifestation is the increased use of force against minority populations by law enforcement officials. In the context of immigration, racial and ethnic profiling continues to occur at points of entry into States, where customs and border agencies may force certain individuals or groups to undergo additional security checks and interviews. Security measures and surveillance policies enacted in relation to counter-terrorism efforts also motivate the use of racial and ethnic profiling. Profiling in the context of immigration may also limit the ability of individuals to travel, such as when States refuse to issue birth registration and identification documents to members of ethnic groups. Profiling is also prevalent in criminal justice systems, where there is often a correlation between minority status and harsher sentences. 17. The Special Rapporteur highlighted the international, regional and domestic measures taken to combat and prohibit racial and ethnic profiling. He also discussed the 5 6 See A/HRC/32/50, para. 38. Ibid., para. 40. 5