E/CN.4/1998/79 page 4 I. INTRODUCTION 1. In pursuance of the mandate conferred on him by Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/20 and extended for a period of 3 years by resolution 1996/21, the Special Rapporteur submitted a report and two addenda (E/CN.4/1997/71/ and Add.1 and 2), covering his activities during 1996, to the fifty-third session of the Commission. He also submitted, in pursuance of the above-mentioned resolutions and General Assembly resolution 51/81, a report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session (A/52/471). 2. In its resolution 1997/74 concerning measures to be taken to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Commission on Human Rights took note of the above-mentioned reports and requested the Special Rapporteur to continue his exchange of views with member States and the relevant mechanisms and treaty bodies in order to enhance further their effectiveness and mutual cooperation. The Commission also repeated its request to the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the necessary assistance and resources to carry out his mandate, in particular to enable him to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session and a comprehensive report to the Commission at its fifty-fourth session. 3. This report is submitted in response to that decision by the Commission. For purposes of its preparation the Special Rapporteur received, in response to his requests, communications from a certain number of States and reports from non-governmental human rights organizations. As in the past, he also drew on unofficial sources, and in particular reliable international press sources, to make up for the shortcomings due to lack of cooperation on the part of the majority of States. 4. This report comprises six sections, dealing respectively with: (1) the activities of the Special Rapporteur since the previous session of the Commission; (2) significant events occurring in the fields covered by the Special Rapporteur's mandate; (3) contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (4) replies to allegations transmitted to Governments by the Special Rapporteur; (5) replies received from Governments and non-governmental organizations in response to the Special Rapporteur's general request for information; and (6) the situation with regard to the implementation of Commission resolution 1997/74. The report ends with conclusions and recommendations. II. ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR 5. On 18 April 1997 the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolution 1997/74 and decision 1997/125. A. Resolution 1997/74 of 18 April 1997 6. On 18 April 1997, following its consideration of the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolution 1997/74. That resolution deals with the