A/51/301 English Page 22 Pasqua laws which make their situation increasingly uncertain. Mention should also be made of the energetic action taken by the Collectif des Médiateurs (mediators’ association), under the chairmanship of His Excellency Ambassador Eyssel, on behalf of immigrants who have no papers and the tremendous show of solidarity by the Christian churches and the forces of progress in the early summer of 1996 in defence of the right to live as a family. 53. In Switzerland, the French-speaking Association against Racism has set up a toll-free telephone line, 155 SOS Racisme, to assist all those who feel that they have encountered problems of racism and racial discrimination, whether as victims or as witnesses. It has also developed community mediation techniques for resolving conflicts arising from xenophobic or racist behaviour within the community. Mediation is used in particular to resolve conflicts between neighbours and at the workplace. 54. In Burundi, two European humanitarian organizations have launched radio programmes to counterbalance radio stations that spread ethnic hatred. VI. CONCLUSIONS 55. At the international level, the question of racism and racial discrimination remains alarming. It has crystallized in the current immigration crisis. Increasingly restrictive and discriminatory regulations are undermining freedom of movement and residence and the right to live as a family. 56. Racist ideologies are being spread by the most modern information techniques, and racist violence is manifesting itself in the burning of places of worship and the profanation of cemeteries belonging to ethnic minorities. 57. The international community cannot remain indifferent to such acts. The Special Rapporteur therefore recommends to the General Assembly that it should convene without further delay a world conference on racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and include the question of immigration and xenophobia in the agenda, or explore the possibility of holding another conference on this specific theme. 58. Moreover, in addition to the human rights education measures with a view to promoting tolerance and peace already recommended in his most recent report to the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur wishes to suggest to the Assembly that it should explore the possibility of establishing a fund to assist ethnic or racial communities that are victims of racial discrimination and condemned to live in conditions of injustice and inequality which are unacceptable as the millennium draws to an end. Can we not envisage an appropriate affirmative action mechanism at the international level? The people whom the Special Rapporteur met during his field missions are pinning their hopes on the United Nations; they wish to see the human rights proclaimed and reaffirmed in the International Bill of Human Rights translated into reality and made effective for them. 59. Lastly, reports should be more widely disseminated by the most modern means, in particular the Internet, and recommendations should be followed up. /...

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