E/CN.4/2000/16 page 41 173. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned at the discriminatory manner in which the death penalty is applied in the United States of America and hopes that the advent of a new millennium will also offer an opportunity for that great country to envisage penal sanctions more in line with the international human rights standards and with the prevailing tendency, which is towards the abolition of capital punishment. He is delighted that most of the countries he has visited, like France, Kuwait and South Africa (to mention only countries referred to in this report), have given effect to his recommendations by adopting appropriate measures to check the development of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. He hopes that those States which have not yet reacted to his recommendations will inform him of the follow-up action taken on his missions in order to contribute to the satisfactory performance of his mandate. 174. The Special Rapporteur hopes that the Commission will continue to give priority to the preparation of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which should create a place of primary importance for education in the rights of the human person and the culture of tolerance, peace and non-violence. -----