A/HRC/23/19 IV. The role of politicians and political parties in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 41. Nazila Ghanea, , a lecturer in international human rights law at the University of Oxford, explained how the human rights obligations to respect, to protect and to fulfil applied to the role of politicians and political parties in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and highlighted the activities that are incompatible with these obligations. She reviewed the relevant provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, then concluded with recommendations for Governments that perpetuate discriminatory, xenophobic or racist practices. 42. Alvaro Bello Maldonado, a researcher at the Department of Anthropology at the Catholic University of Temuco (Chile), emphasized in his presentation the importance of cooperation among politicians, political parties and civil society, including victims’ associations, in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. He explained the central role that politicians and political parties had in the transformation of legal and normative structures of a discriminatory character, and highlighted the need to ensure that political parties reflected the diverse and plural social reality of contemporary societies. He touched upon issues of quotas, affirmative action and the promotion of the principles of equality and non-discrimination. 43. Referring to Ms. Ghanea’s presentation, the representative of Egypt emphasized that politicians and political parties had an influence outside of government; focusing on Governments in power was therefore not sufficient. 44. The representative of the European Union emphasized that democratic accountability, with its checks and balances, prevented the institutionalization of expressions of intolerance, and drew attention to Framework decision of 28 November 2008, by which the European Union requires Member States to penalize any public incitement to hatred. 45. The representative of the Czech Republic asked the panellists to expand on the importance of independent and functioning judiciary as the ultimate check for politicians and political parties. 46. The representative of Senegal emphasized the importance of political parties representing diversity within society as an important means in preventing xenophobic discourse, together with constitutional provisions and political and legal sanctions. 47. The representative of Austria highlighted the importance of civil society, judiciary and civil courts, as well as of international cooperation, in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 48. The representative of OIC emphasized the regional dimension of the problem and the need for regional organizations to play a key role in addressing it, as well as the need to continue to address these issues. 49. The representative of the African Union warned that political statements and discourse inciting hatred were on the rise, especially during times of elections. Governments should systematically and publically call for an end to such incitement. 50. Ms. Ghanea emphasized that Governments had the duty to educate and enlighten the public so that respect for diversity became a commonly embraced value. 8