A/HRC/35/41 IV. Challenges to combating racism and xenophobia in the context of countering terrorism 47. In this section, the Special Rapporteur presents some of the challenges linked to combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination in the current context of countering terrorism threats. The Special Rapporteur recalls that the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 7/34 called upon the mandate holder to examine and report on this particular issue. To that end, the Special Rapporteur will examine how hate speech as well as measures taken by some Governments may have fuelled racism, xenophobia and discrimination against persons or groups owing to their ethnic origin, religion or migration status in the context of countering terrorism. The Special Rapporteur will also examine some key legal and policy measures taken to counter racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination in the context of countering terrorism as well as some examples of good practices that have been initiated to eliminate racism, xenophobia and discrimination in this context. He will provide a more elaborate assessment of the issue in his next thematic report to be submitted to the General Assembly later this year. A. Rise of political extremism and the increased incidence of racist and xenophobic hate crimes and violence 48. The Special Rapporteur has already highlighted the direct relationship between the increase in economic disparity and the increase in xenophobic populist parties. Since the 1990s, income inequality has increased by 9 per cent in developed countries and 11 per cent in developing countries. 8 With the onset of economic crises worldwide, populist parties increasingly gained support by capitalizing on constituents’ concerns over the financial burdens of migration and their belief that migrants engage in crime, take jobs away from nationals, pose a threat to national identity or have religious practices that are incompatible with modern societies. 9 Equally concerning is the contagion effect, in which more traditional parties adopt tougher stances on issues such as security, migration and integration in order to counter the rise of right-wing populist parties.10 49. Two trends that intensified globally following recent terrorist attacks — the proliferation of anti-Muslim rhetoric and the rise of right-wing extremist parties — have led to an atmosphere of fear towards Muslims in countries where Muslims are racialized or viewed as foreign. For Muslims and those perceived as Muslims living in those countries, these trends have led to increased experiences of racism and xenophobia. At the same time, incidents of anti-Semitic hatred have also increased. 50. Recently, in Europe, a member of a right-wing populist party was running a political campaign and leading in the opinion polls by calling for a ban on Muslim immigration and using derogatory adjectives to qualify them. 11 Another right-wing populist party was arguing in Parliament that immigrants should celebrate local religious holidays in order to become part of the nation.12 51. In one Eastern European country, the national Constitution was amended to include the specification of the Christian character of the nation. 13 There were reports of a Government and the media building a campaign focusing on the differences between Christians and Muslims, perpetuating negative stereotypes against Muslims and describing 8 9 10 11 12 13 See A/HRC/31/60, para. 6. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), The European Union as a Community of values: safeguarding fundamental rights in times of crisis (2013), p. 7. Ibid., p. 17. See www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39016179. See https://perma.cc/66TY-8UMS (in Danish). Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE-ODIHR), “Fact-finding Meeting: Hate Motivated Incidents Targeting Migrants, Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in the OSCE Region”, (Warsaw, December 2015) (hereafter “Report on the fact-finding meeting on the OSCE region”). 11