A/HRC/23/19 63. Mr. Chigara pointed out that corruption undermined or removed the possibility of equal treatment. 64. According to Professor Jamin of the University of Liège (Belgium), political parties and politicians in Belgium had taken numerous decisions to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and revisionism, and more generally against all discrimination and intolerance. Decisions were political and philosophical when designed to promote a certain idea of democracy and to put the “enemies” of democracy out of power, but also legal when it came to repressing actions of groups promoting discriminatory ideas through legislative measures. There were many legal means against racism, and included tools developed by political parties to prevent certain individuals or groups from undermining the fundamental principles of democracy. The legal means developed by political parties and elected officials to respond to these threats could be found in international treaties and conventions to which Belgium was a party, under its Constitution, in laws passed by Parliament and the regions, and more generally in Belgium criminal law. 65. Professor Jamin described the measures taken by political parties at the national level to combat racism, xenophobia, intolerance, anti-Semitism and revisionism, and gave an analysis of the work of the national Parliament to suppress racism, xenophobia and antiSemitism, and its relative effectiveness. He also focused on racially biased reporting in the media and the relevant difficulties encountered by parliaments in enacting laws in this regard without prejudice to the principle of freedom of expression. 66. In conclusion, Professor Jamin observed how legislature had devised and sought to implement procedures aimed at banning political parties advocating racism and discrimination, and noted that the actions of political parties against racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and revisionism were undertaken in a context of permanent tension with regard to the issue of freedom that should be accorded to the enemies of freedom in a democratic regime. V. The enhancement of international and regional cooperation with regard to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 67. In her presentation, the Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Floriane Hohenberg, noted that States members of OSCE had acknowledged that hate crimes, racism and xenophobia, as well as anti-Semitism and intolerance against Muslims, Christians and members of other religions or beliefs, constituted a threat to stability and security throughout the OSCE region. They had adopted a comprehensive range of commitments to prevent and respond to hate-motivated violence and to promote mutual respect and understanding. In addition, participating States had adopted a broad range of obligations relating to combating intolerance and discrimination against Roma and Sinti. She also referred to the resolution adopted in 2011 by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly entitled on strengthening efforts to combat racism and xenophobia and foster inclusion, aimed at combating racism and xenophobia against people of African descent. 68. With regard to its mandate, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights provided Governments and civil society with assistance to combat hate crimes effectively and to promote mutual respect and understanding, including the development of a broad range of programmes to build the capacities of law enforcement and government officials, and civil society, to combat hate crimes and to raise awareness through education programmes. 10