A/HRC/32/29 crimes committed through online platforms. Some delegates stated that governments ought to show solidarity with victims of racial discrimination and protect them efficiently. They felt that the rise in hate speech, especially online, required specific attention and enhanced measures. 47. One delegate offered that fighting racism meant creating new social models. Racism, xenophobia and hatred based on ethnic and religious grounds were major threats in the current global situation that was characterized by economic instability, which brought significant challenges to the full enjoyment of human rights by all. The current global situation also posed a threat to democracy, particularly by extremist parties and groups, including neo-Nazis that were now gaining alarming popularity. There was a great danger of falling into historical revisionism and misrepresenting historical accounts to achieve political interests, which was a characteristic feature of extremist parties and movements. 48. Another delegate said that everyone was entitled to a democratic international order. States must respect international principles and implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome of the Durban Review Conference, as well as actively respect diversity and safeguard the rights of people to their path to development. Reducing inequalities and poverty for all must be a priority for all States. 49. Several delegations shared information about the different measures that had been taken at regional and national levels to combat racism and racial discrimination. These measures included legislative initiatives, the adoption and implementation of national and regional action plans against racial discrimination and on human rights and democracy, as well as tools and programmes on anti-discrimination aimed at a better implementation of policies against racism. Specific measures to protect vulnerable groups against racism were also mentioned, including the establishment of telephone hotlines and sending email messages to provide information around the clock to migrants and refugees in different languages. 50. One delegate noted that democracy was not expected to confer certain privileges and attributes to one race over another, given the racial mix of any State. Rather, democracy was expected to be an attribute that complemented racial unity, rather than segregation, and provided the basis for the unity of a State, furthering the cause of racial harmony and unity on the basis of equal rights and equal vote. Universal suffrage, the underlying principle in any democracy, grants the right to vote and is not restricted by race, sex, belief, wealth or social status. 51. One delegate mentioned that democracy expressed diversity and should accommodate diversity of ideology, opinion and religion of both minorities and majorities. At the same time, democracy must protect certain groups at risk from discrimination or intolerance and find the right balance between freedom of expression and mechanisms for the prevention of discrimination, intolerance and xenophobia. When xenophobic political parties, anti-immigrant policies and intolerance were justified by the right to freedom of speech, it was not possible to talk about real democracy. 52. Another delegate expressed support for the drafting of a United Nations declaration on the promotion of and respect for the human rights of people of African descent. 53. Delegations also urged States to renew their efforts in the fight against racism. Promoting tolerance and fighting against racism was a human rights obligation, but also an absolute necessity to maintain democratic and pluralistic societies. 8