E/CN.4/2005/18 page 4 I. ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR A. Field missions and activities of the Special Rapporteur 1. The Special Rapporteur undertook a mission to Côte d’Ivoire from 9 to 21 February 2004, mainly for the purpose of making an objective assessment of the role played by ethnic factors in the political crisis facing that country. While the Special Rapporteur observed that, for the most part, the rich inter-ethnic fabric of society in Côte d’Ivoire shows no evidence of any tradition or system of xenophobia, he also noted that Ivorian society is caught up in a dynamic of xenophobia which is particularly dangerous in the context of the current crisis. One of the key recommendations which the Special Rapporteur makes in his mission report (E/CN.4/2005/18/Add.3) points to the need to place the question of the long-term reconstruction of inter-ethnic relations, which have been badly strained by the present crisis, at the heart of any lasting solution to the political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. 2. The Special Rapporteur also carried out a regional visit to Central America, covering Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, from 26 June to 13 July 2004. The aim of the mission was to analyse the role in problems of racism and discrimination of two key factors, of particular significance in this part of the Americas, which he had already identified during his previous visits to Colombia (see E/CN.4/2004/18/Add.3), Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago (see E/CN.4/2004/18/Add.1): the depth of the historical legacy of racism and discrimination, the ideological underpinning of slave-holding and colonial systems, which has heavily influenced the shape of societies in this hemisphere; and the impact of the political violence that has marked the recent history of Central and South America on communities of indigenous people and people of African descent, which have traditionally experienced discrimination. In these three countries in transition towards peace-building, social cohesion and consolidation of democracy there is a striking correlation between the map of poverty and marginalization and the geographical distribution of communities of Amerindian people and people of African descent, which have historically experienced discrimination. These countries are thus confronted with three main challenges: recognition by the political authorities of the reality and depth of racism and discrimination; the formulation of policies and programmes that mitigate and remedy the structural, economic and social effects of discrimination in de facto multi-ethnic societies; and the need to combine a more open and determined fight against discrimination with the long-term construction of a democratic, egalitarian and interactive multiculturalism. The Special Rapporteur’s comments and recommendations are contained in his mission reports (E/CN.4/2005/Add.2, Add.5 and Add.6). 3. As for prospective missions, the Special Rapporteur has requested invitations to visit the following countries: India, Japan, Pakistan, Nepal, Brazil, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and Italy. The Special Rapporteur thanks the following countries, which have already acceded to his requests for an invitation to visit: Brazil, the Russian Federation and Japan. 4. With regard to the question of the defamation of religions, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Catalonia hosted an expert seminar, at the Special Rapporteur’s initiative, on the defamation of religions and the global combat against