E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.3 page 20 (a) The establishment, as a national and collective catharis, of a national commission on truth and reconciliation on racism and racial discrimination with a mandate to assess the manifestations, expressions and consequences of racism and racial discrimination in Brazilian society. This commission should be composed of representatives of all communities and political parties, and eminent members of civil society engaged in the promotion of human rights and racial equality. The proceedings of the commission should be largely publicized to allow members of the Brazilian society to be collectively informed of the scope and manifestations of racism; (b) The Government should translate the conclusions and recommendations of the commission into a comprehensive national programme for the eradication of racism and the promotion of racial equality in Brazilian society, on the basis of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. This national programme, integrating the National Policy for the Promotion of Racial Equality, should be tailored to aim at all political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of the society, and national, regional and local levels in the country. It should include the best ways and means to expand the programme of affirmative action at all levels of the society. The national Parliament should be invited by the Government to debate and approve the final programme and allocate the necessary resources for its implementation. 71. The Special Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality, whose creation is a positive step, should be strengthened as a full federal department at the centre of the federal Government, with offices in all regions, in charge of coordinating the national programme with the necessary resources and authority in all the government departments. All ministries should therefore be involved in this effort, and make the fight against racial discrimination part of their policies. 72. A national commission for equality and human rights should be established, in conformity with the Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles) (General Assembly resolution 48/134, annex). Given the interlinkage among all forms of discrimination, and for the purposes of efficiency and empowerment, the mandate of this commission should examine in a holistic way, the most important and related fields of contemporary discrimination, namely: race, colour, gender, descent, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion and sexual orientation. 73. The prevention and repression of violence against Indians and Afro-Brazilians, in particular assassinations, should be a priority of the Government and addressed as a matter of urgency. Appropriate measures should be taken to sanction in the strongest way, police officers and others responsible of assault and murder of Afro-Brazilians and Indians. 74. A specialized police unit should be established for the protection of vulnerable groups such as Indian communities, Blacks, quilombo communities, and terreiros, following the example of the Secretariat for Justice of the State of São Paulo.