A/HRC/18/44 away from right-wing extremist groups by offering vocational training and relocation opportunities are welcomed. 11. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to highlight some of the institutional developments reported. These include the establishment of national human rights institutions or specialized institutions to monitor and raise awareness about racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It was indicated that such institutions are sometimes also empowered to receive complaints and to investigate into cases of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Special Rapporteur is of the view that this is a positive step and that it is essential that such specialized institutions, which could also monitor and raise awareness about the challenges posed by extremist political parties, movements and groups and advise on measures to counter them, be established. States should ensure that such institutions have a robust mandate and adequate resources. 12. A number of good practices were also identified with respect to awareness-raising activities to foster tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. According to the information provided, some countries have developed awareness-raising measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and to strengthen intercultural dialogue. These measures include the organization of cultural events, art festivals of national minorities, exhibitions, concerts, forums and seminars, and the publication of books and brochures promoting cultural diversity. Such initiatives, which offer space for further intercultural dialogue and interaction, are welcomed by the Special Rapporteur. Initiatives including information campaigns broadcast on television and the Internet aimed at promoting harmony and tolerance among different ethnic groups are also noted with interest by the Special Rapporteur. In this context, the Special Rapporteur also notes with interest media programmes that promote diversity and tolerance. Indeed, according to the information provided, the mainstream media in some countries have started to recognize the cultural asset of minorities and to promote the idea of improving the living and working conditions of members of minorities. 13. Other positive examples identified include the training of law enforcement agents. The Special Rapporteur notes in particular that, in some cases, compulsory human rights training sessions were developed for the judiciary and that specific units to deal with hate crimes and racism were also established, including, for instance, in the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Special Rapporteur also notes with interest that some countries have developed data-collection systems on hate crimes, including hate crimes committed against individuals on the grounds of race, colour, ethnicity, origin or minority status, citizenship, language, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or transgender. It was also reported that some States specifically collect data on racist crimes committed by members of extremist groups. 14. Educational measures also appear to be among the positive steps taken by States in response to the rise of extremist political parties, movements and groups, including neoNazis and skinhead groups, as well as similar extremist ideological movements. The Special Rapporteur notes with satisfaction that human rights education is of particular importance for a number of States. Addressing the root causes of extremist political parties, movements and groups is crucial and education is a key means to address such a challenging phenomenon. 15. Cooperation with relevant international and regional human rights mechanisms and with civil society is also important. In this respect, the Special Rapporteur appreciates the engagement of States with regional and international human rights mechanisms, including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the special procedures and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur encourages States to continue to play an active role in countering extremist political parties, movements and groups through further cooperation with relevant regional and international human rights mechanisms. 5