A/HRC/21/27 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 18/15 on the incompatibility between democracy and racism of 14 October 2011, the Human Rights Council recalled the commitment reached in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action concerning the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Council further recalled its decision 2/106 of 27 November 2006 and Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2000/40, 2001/43, 2002/39, 2003/41, 2004/38 and 2005/36 on the incompatibility between democracy and racism. The Council acknowledged the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference. It reaffirmed that acts of racial violence do not constitute legitimate expressions of opinion but unlawful acts, and any endorsement by Government or public authorities of racism and discrimination violates human rights and may threaten democracy, endanger friendly relations and cooperation among nations, international peace and security and the harmony of persons living side by side within the same state. In paragraphs 3 and 4, the Council emphasized that democracy, transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory governance and respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential for the prevention and elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and, by extension, the elimination of all forms of discrimination would contribute to strengthening and promoting democracy and political participation. 2. In paragraph 16 of its resolution 18/15, the Council invited the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Council at its twenty-first session on the implementation of the resolution. This report is therefore submitted pursuant to resolution 18/15 of the Council. In order to include the broadest number of contributions in her report, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights by a note verbale dated 12 March 2012 transmitted an eight-point questionnaire to Permanent and Observer Missions to the United Nations in Geneva soliciting information on different aspects of resolution 18/15. 3. The current report contains information received from Member States as well as input from the United Nations human rights mechanisms, special procedures and treaty bodies on related activities. II. Contributions received A. Members States Azerbaijan [Original: English] [10 May 2012] 4. Azerbaijan reported that its Constitution guaranteed the rights of national minorities and prohibited discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, language or religion. Dissemination of ideas based on racial hatred or superiority was punishable under the law. Azerbaijan was a member of the Council of Europe, a signatory to the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the Protection of National Minorities, and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Under the auspices of its cooperation programme with the Council of Europe, the Government had implemented several programmes on intercultural and interreligious dialogue aimed at improving multicultural teaching and developing educational curricula. The Government also reported that national minorities were allowed to establish their cultural centres and receive support through public funding. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with national and international non-governmental 3