A/61/335 his report on the situation of Muslims and Arab peoples in various parts of the world (E/CN.4/2006/17) (following the events of 11 September 2001) and his report on political platforms which promote or incite racism (E/CN.4/2006/54). His reports on his mission to Japan (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2 and Corr.1), Brazil (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.3) and Switzerland (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.4) are discussed in section D, on field missions. 11. In his general report (E/CN.4/2006/16), the Special Rapporteur draws the Commission’s attention to the following ominous trends in contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance: the increasing importance in identity constructs of a rejection of multiculturalism; a general increase in the defamation of religion, in particular Islamophobia; the increasingly overt intellectual legitimization of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia; the trivialization of racism through the pervasiveness in the programmes of democratic parties of racist and xenophobic political platforms taken from extreme right-wing parties; various forms of racism, discrimination and xenophobia at country entry points and in reception and waiting areas; and the increase in racism in sport, in particular, football. 12. The Special Rapporteur has introduced a new section on mission follow-up, which contains his recommendations. He emphasizes the need to pursue dialogue with Governments, to take account of the expectations of the communities and victims concerned and to cooperate on the ground with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations system. 13. The Special Rapporteur stresses the need for Member States to promote the linkage between combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and the construction of a democratic, interactive and egalitarian multiculturalism. He also invites the Commission to draw the attention of Member States to the historical and cultural roots of racism, to ensure that efforts to combat this scourge cover its economic, social and political manifestations as well as identity constructs and intellectual aspects. The Special Rapporteur also invites the Commission to denounce and condemn the seriousness of racist and xenophobic behaviour and practices at points of entry to countries and in reception and waiting areas, which are characterized by a lack of respect for basic rights and are humiliating to the persons involved, to ensure that such zones do not become “no-rights zones”. Finally, he invites the Commission to encourage and support initiatives of international and national sports bodies to combat the increase in racism in sport, including through education, awareness-raising and prevention, as well as by promoting the ideals of mutual respect, fair play and dialogue to combat the nationalistic and overcommercialized dimension of high-level sport. 14. His report on the situation of Muslim and Arab peoples in various parts of the world (E/CN.4/2006/17) (following the events of 11 September 2001) is partly based on the contributions of a high-level expert seminar organized at his initiative at Seville, Spain, on 18 and 19 November 2005, with the excellent cooperation of the Fundación Tres Culturas. The Special Rapporteur draws the Commission’s attention to the following conclusions: there has been a serious upsurge in manifestations and expressions of racism against Muslim and Arab peoples, especially in Europe; in such manifestations, the focus is on the politicization of Islam, which is openly used in intellectual discourse to legitimize Islamophobia; Islam is identified with terrorism and there is an excessive focus on security issues 6 06-51904