E/CN.4/2002/24 page 34 IV. FOLLOW-UP TO FIELD VISITS: LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL OR OTHER MEASURES TAKEN OR ENVISAGED BY GOVERNMENTS A. Germany 74. The Government of Germany has transmitted copious documentation on its new human rights policy. Stress is laid on the activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both at the European level and in connection with the United Nations international human rights treaties. At the European level, Germany plays an active part in the work of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). 75. The German Government further states that, following the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination after the consideration of its fourteenth periodic report, in March 1997 it took action to ensure the enactment of a law to combat racial discrimination. “Following the Government Coalition Agreement of 20 October 1998, the Government is considering a comprehensive anti-discrimination law. The functions of a central agency for combating discrimination are largely performed by the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Foreign Nationals. The fifteenth report under the Convention will contain the Government’s response to the Committee’s recommendations.” It also states that it is continuing with German NGOs the dialogue initiated in the context of the European Year against Racism in 1997. “An exchange of information takes place principally in the ‘Forum against Racism’ established in March 1998. The Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance against Extremism and Violence initiated by the Federal Government serves to deepen the involvement of the social forces concerned - families, schools, churches, sports associations, traditions, employers, etc. The object is to inform the public as much as possible about the aims, to sensitize it to these issues and to mobilize support. Here the main emphasis, apart from providing information, will be on enhancing the community’s appreciation of these values.” 76. The German Government added that “The main thrust of efforts to remove the root causes of racism and xenophobia comes from the Government’s extensive educational campaign, which differs in form and context depending on the target groups. Preventive measures, complemented by determined police action and a consistent prosecution policy, reduced the number of known offences with a right-wing extremist background from 11,049 in 1998 to 10,037 in 1999, i.e. by 9.2 per cent. During the same period the number of acts of violence with ultra-right motives rose slightly from 708 to 746. Nevertheless, combating racism and xenophobia in all their different manifestations is still a matter of great importance for which the German Government’s international youth policy embraces a variety of contacts, meetings and exchanges aimed at preventing racism and xenophobia. Their whole purpose is to help young people learn about other cultures, social systems and international relationships, discuss them with others and develop a better appreciation of their own situation, and of course to improve their understanding and tolerance of foreigners living in Germany. A number of activities sponsored under the ‘Youth for Europe’ programme likewise focus on these aspects.”