A/HRC/25/69 awareness-raising, data collection and exchange of experiences and information. The representative emphasized a multilateral and multi-stakeholder approach in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It highlighted a number of its different policies, including article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the Council directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000, directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 and Council framework decision 2008/913/JHA. It added that no unequivocal definition of xenophobia existed; it could be understood through other grounds of discrimination and in connection with racism and racial discrimination. It reiterated that grounds mentioned in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination already cover xenophobia, as witnessed by some recent recommendations and observations made by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The European Union saw no added value in the Ad Hoc Committee considering a legal definition of “xenophobia”. 41. The Czech Republic stated that the full use of the existing procedures under the Convention was sufficient to successfully fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Government of the Czech Republic had declared the fight against right-wing extremism and connected violence to be one of its priorities. Measures included efforts to repress neo-Nazi militants and political leaders who spread hatred against minorities, and preventive tools such as the education of security forces, prevention of extremism on the Internet or order enforcement in socially excluded neighbourhoods. 42. The United States stated that its Government believed that new treaties or the modification of old treaties were not required, suggesting that implementation of the existing treaties was. Regarding proposals to draw up new definitions to replace or supplement that contained in the International Convention, it pointed out that not only was such an effort unnecessary, because the existing definition in the Convention prohibited xenophobic violence and discrimination, it was also dangerous. It agreed that education was essential among the tools to fight racism and xenophobia; however, it did not agree with a proposal for new treaty language on education, as article 7 of the Convention already set forth an obligation with respect to education. It also strongly disagreed with several proposals for increased regulation of the media. The United States would defend its longstanding position in favour of protecting freedom of expression and would oppose all measures designed to place Governments in control of the dissemination of ideas or to pressure the media to restrict the dissemination of even odious ideas. The suppression of ideas tended to be used against minorities and political opponents. 43. Morocco stated that it regretted the absence of a definition of xenophobia and that it was important to find ways and means to fill the gap in such a situation, given that the fight against racism was a priority for the international community. Twelve years after the DDPA, the fact remained that the scourges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance continued and had taken new forms which had not been covered by existing norms and standards. Morocco expressed its concern that xenophobia was permeating into political discourses, including in elections and sports, as well as in the media and on the Internet. That highlighted the importance of developing complementary standards. 44. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stated that there were forms of racial discrimination that had not been defined in any international human rights instrument, while violations were committed daily, as was the case with xenophobia. As such, it supported the idea of defining the term “xenophobia” and, in doing so, supported the development and effective implementation of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee, as well as its commitment in the struggle for the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other related forms of intolerance, particularly those that incite racial, national, ethnic and religious hatred. 45. South Africa stated that it was evident from the discussions that a clear understanding of xenophobia had yet to be developed, and as such a definition in legal 11