E/CN.4/1999/15 page 16 6. Action to combat racism 62. In the framework of action to achieve a non-racist society, Act No. 20/98 of 12 May establishing labour regulations for foreigners in Portuguese territory aims at eliminating discrimination in the recruitment of foreign workers holding permits to reside and work in Portugal and at combating illegal labour. The Constitution prohibits the establishment of racist organizations or organizations which adhere to the fascist ideology (art. 46), and provides that members of Parliament who join such organizations or adhere to the fascist ideology shall be removed from office (art. 160.1). H. Turkey 63. The Turkish Government is concerned that, despite continuing efforts to increase the vigilance of Governments and arouse international public opinion, contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination, in particular against Blacks, Muslims and migrant workers, and xenophobia, anti-Semitism and related intolerance, continue to exist and even grow in magnitude by adopting subtle new forms. Contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination are among the most serious violations of human rights, given that, in the case of racism, victims are totally unaware of the racists’ ill-feelings and the lurking danger which could lead to a loss of life. Those forms of racism must be therefore combated by all available means. Impunity for crimes motivated by racist and xenophobic feelings weakens confidence in the State and the rule of law and contributes to the recurrence of such crimes. 64. The Government of Turkey is particularly concerned at the situation of migrant workers and their families living in Europe. It believes it is most unfortunate that, despite the sensitivity of the Western European countries to the need to protect and promote human rights throughout the world, an environment continues to exist in those countries in which racism and racial discrimination continue to manifest themselves, sometimes in very discreet ways, through the behaviour of public servants or before the eyes of Governments. Migrant workers and their families constitute one of the groups of the contemporary world most vulnerable to racism and will remain so until they are given effective, special international protection. 65. The misuse of the new communication technologies, including Internet, by racist groups against their targets has become a new and complex element of dissemination of hate speech. These new technologies are being used for incitement to violence based on ideas and theories of the superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour. In this context, the Government of Turkey believes that consideration must be given to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination General Recommendation XV (42), of 17 March 1993, on article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in which the Committee concludes that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based on racial superiority or hatred is compatible with the right to freedom of opinion and expression as embodied in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Against this background, the Turkish Government believes that developing an ethic for the use of such technologies does not impinge on freedom of expression in any