A/HRC/11/11 page 21 C. Racial discrimination 92. The Special Rapporteur makes a special appeal to public authorities at all levels and to political parties, indigenous organizations, civic organizations, the media, academic institutions and other political and social sectors, to refrain from any manifestation of discrimination towards persons and groups on the basis of their indigenous origin and to launch a sincere and wide-ranging debate in Bolivian society with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding and interaction between the various communities and nations of the country. 93. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the authorities should strengthen their policies to combat all forms of discrimination. As part of these policies, the Government might implement a national plan to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, following the principles of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 94. It is recommended that the Government should promote efforts to define racial discrimination as a punishable offence in Bolivia’s domestic law, as well as adopt specific legislation to combat discrimination in all spheres. 95. The Special Rapporteur suggests that the Government should encourage reflection on the responsibility of the public or private media in combating racism and racial discrimination. The various media should adopt a code of conduct prohibiting all forms of discrimination. 96. The Special Rapporteur suggests that the Government of Bolivia should consider the possibility of inviting the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to carry out an official visit to the country. D. Particularly vulnerable groups 97. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government should, as a matter of priority, strengthen measures for the suppression of all forms of servitude and forced labour in the country, with the technical assistance of ILO and other relevant agencies and organizations. 98. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government should strengthen intersectoral efforts to support the Yuqui people and other peoples in a highly vulnerable situation, with a view to the development of coordinated and systematic action to safeguard the rights of these peoples, with particular emphasis on the areas of health and territorial protection. E. The situation of human rights defenders 99. The Special Rapporteur recommends that attacks against leaders of indigenous organizations and human rights defenders should continue to be investigated and punished, and that the police should afford the necessary protection to such persons in the

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