A/HRC/4/19/Add.2 page 2 Summary The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance visited Switzerland from 9 to 13 January 2006, with the principal objective of assessing the situation of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, as well as the policies and measures adopted by the Government to address these phenomena. In the course of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur visited three of the country’s language regions. He met with federal and cantonal authorities, members and representatives of foreign communities and national, ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society groups, such as representatives of political parties, employers, and representatives of trade unions, various religions and the media. In drafting the present report, the Special Rapporteur compared the information and analyses on the question of racism and xenophobia that he received from the national and regional political authorities, members and representatives of the communities concerned, NGOs and other civil society groups. He also took account of the relevant reports and documents that were submitted to him by these Swiss civil society groups. At the end of his visit, and on the basis of the information gathered, the Special Rapporteur came to the main conclusion that there is a dynamic of racism and xenophobia in Switzerland. He noted, in this regard, that, although Switzerland has competent mechanisms and motivated officials with mandates to combat racism, at the national level this reality is not recognized and there is no coherent and resolute political and legal strategy against racism and xenophobia. In particular, he observed two underlying causes of this dynamic: deep-rooted cultural resistance within Swiss society to the multiculturalization process, especially where persons of south-eastern European and non-European origin are concerned, and the growing prevalence of racist and xenophobic stances in political programmes and discourse, particularly during elections and various votes. Consequently, his recommendations place emphasis on the following main actions: recognition of the dynamic of racism and xenophobia and the expression of the political will to combat those phenomena; the need for a national programme of action against racism and xenophobia comprising national legislation for this purpose and a cultural and ethical strategy for the long-term construction of a multicultural society based on both the recognition and promotion of the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of society, and the promotion of interaction and reciprocal knowledge among the various communities that make up Swiss society.