A/HRC/7/19 page 6 opinions and perceptions concerning the existence of racism and discrimination between, on the one hand, the authorities and, on the other hand, civil society and the communities concerned. In the report, the Special Rapporteur analyses the key role of the historical and cultural legacy of racism in the collective subconscious, sensitivities and perceptions of Dominican society. 10. The Special Rapporteur visited Mauritania from 20 to 24 January 2008 in order to contribute to the elimination, in the context of the current remarkable move towards democracy, of the historical legacy of ethnic discrimination which has long characterized that society. A brief preliminary note on his visit is included in an appendix to this report (A/HRC/7/19/Add.6). A full report will be submitted to the Council at a subsequent session. 11. With regard to 2008 visits, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the positive responses he has received from the Governments of Canada - for a follow-up visit - and the United States of America. Recalling that the Governments of India, Pakistan and Nepal have not yet replied to either his 2004 requests to visit or the reminders he sent in 2006, the Special Rapporteur once again expresses his concern at the continued lack of response to requests for special-procedure visits. He hopes that the Human Rights Council will fully address this issue in the context of the universal periodic review. B. Follow-up to the Special Rapporteur’s visits 12. In order to provide continuous follow-up on the situation regarding racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in the countries visited, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes the importance of pursuing the dialogue with Governments, civil society and United Nations bodies, and taking account of the expectations of the communities concerned. 13. In the context of the follow-up to his visit to Switzerland, the Special Rapporteur notes with concern the confirmation of the trend towards the political use of racism, xenophobia and intolerance in political and intellectual circles. This trend is illustrated by two recent cases of incitement by the Swiss People’s Party (Union démocratique du Centre, UDC), which confirmed its status as the country’s leading political party in the federal elections in October 2007: a proposed referendum on whether to ban the construction of new minarets and a campaign promoting a proposed popular initiative to deport foreign nationals who have committed a serious offence, the poster for which depicts three white sheep kicking a black sheep off a Swiss flag. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter of allegation concerning that campaign and, having carefully read the Federal Council’s reply and in view of the precedents mentioned in his mission report on Switzerland2 concerning, inter alia, previous UDC political campaigns, he has judged the poster to be such as to incite racial and religious hatred. Consequently, he has drawn the conclusion that freedom of expression should not act as a screen for incitement to racial and religious hatred, and that the withdrawal of the poster would be more in keeping with the recognized image of Switzerland as a country that respects human rights. 14. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the far-reaching democratic debate within Swiss society prompted by these campaigns. The extent to which the issues of racism and discrimination have 2 A/HRC/4/19/Add.3.