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84. The Special Rapporteur takes note of efforts made to document racially
motivated crimes, especially the conduct of specialized studies and the
assessment of existing programmes. He reiterates the recommendation made in
his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/50) on the collection of
data and statistics. Disaggregated data are needed to understand the scope and
nature of racism, xenophobia and all related intolerance within society. Such
statistics are also invaluable in designing and implementing effective policies to
prevent and combat these phenomena.
85. A number of positive initiatives have been identified in the replies of
States, including awareness-raising activities to foster tolerance, respect for
cultural diversity and mutual understanding. The Special Rapporteur is of the
view that the organization of cultural events, research work, festivals,
conferences, seminars, exhibitions and information campaigns are positive
measures that contribute to the building of a society based on pluralism,
mutual understanding, tolerance and non-discrimination and therefore
encourages States to strengthen these initiatives.
86. The Special Rapporteur welcomes efforts undertaken to train lawenforcement agents, including the police, immigration officers, judges and
lawyers, on human rights and non-discrimination. He notes, however, that
ethnic profiling and police violence against vulnerable groups are recurring
issues in several countries that discourage victims from seeking redress, owing
to distrust of the legal system. He encourages States to adopt and strengthen
measures to improve diversity within law-enforcement agencies and impose
appropriate sanctions against those within the public service found guilty of
racially motivated violence or of using hate speech, including prosecutors and
judges and also immigration officials and border guards.
87. Some States provided information about the use of the Internet to foster a
culture of peace and tolerance and to promote national legal provisions and
protections against extremism, hate speech and xenophobia. The Special
Rapporteur calls for the development of a solid legal framework regarding hate
speech and extremist mobilization on the Internet. He welcomes the positive use
of the Internet and recalls in this regard paragraph 92 of the Durban
Declaration and Programme of Action, in which States recognized the need to
promote the use of new information and communication technologies, including
the Internet, to contribute to the fight against racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. He further recommends the
implementation of the recommendations made in his report to the Human
Rights Council on racism and the Internet and social media (A/HRC/26/49).
88. The Special Rapporteur notes with appreciation the emphasis put on
human rights education in some replies by States. The Special Rapporteur
recommends that States continue to invest in education, in both conventional
and non-conventional curricula, in order to transform attitudes and correct
ideas of racial hierarchies and superiority promoted by extremist political
parties, movements and groups and counter their negative influence. He further
recommends cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, including in the framework of the relevant programmes
set up by the Organization regarding human rights education, racism and
racial discrimination.
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