A/HRC/26/30 32. Additionally, in another review, the Committee encouraged the State to thoroughly investigate and prosecute, where appropriate, the use during election campaigns of statements by politicians that would incite racial hatred against persons of minority ethnic origin.19 V. Common concerns regarding the right to freedom of opinion and expression in electoral processes 33. The enjoyment of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in electoral processes can be jeopardized through numerous overlapping legal and practical State measures. In the present section some of the primary threats to freedom of opinion and expression during electoral processes are identified. A. Direct attacks against journalists, activists and political candidates and groups 34. Violence against, and harassment of, the press during electoral and political processes remains a common way of impeding the free expression of political ideas in many countries. Throughout his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has received numerous communications alleging serious violence against reporters, journalists, bloggers, television reporters and writers in the lead-up to, during and in the aftermath of elections.20 Attacks against the media function both as a specific means of deterring targeted journalists from investigating and reporting on a particular issue or candidate, and as a means of more generally deterring the media from reporting freely and impartially on political issues. In this context, violence against the media is one of the most destructive forms of violation of free expression in electoral processes. 35. In the course of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has addressed, through communications and public statements, reports of violence against or harassment of journalists in Belarus, where it was reported that, in the lead-up to the December 2010 presidential elections, journalists had their equipment seized and photographs deleted;21 and in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where, as at May 2013, 40 journalists had reportedly been imprisoned as a means of silencing free speech and debate ahead of the June 2013 elections.22 36. The State is not the only perpetrator of violence against journalists during elections; however it has a permanent responsibility to ensure the safety of all journalists at all times. In some countries, media organizations, independent editors and journalists receive threats and intimidation from militant groups or political parties demanding coverage for their messages. In many cases the State fails to take sufficient measures to protect journalists from such harassment, and responds by fining or otherwise punishing the media for broadcasting messages by banned organizations, despite the media being forced to do so under threat.23 19 20 21 22 23 10 CERD/C/AUT/CO/18-20, para. 12. See, for example, the report of the Special Rapporteur of 20 April 2010 (A/HRC/14/23). Joint urgent appeal (JUA) 22/12/10, case No. BLR 1/2010 (see A/HRC/8/51, p. 22). Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), “Iran: UN experts concerned at barring of women presidential candidates and freedom restrictions”, press release, 29 May 2013. See, for example, “Final report of the EU Election Observation Mission 2013”, available from www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/eu-eom-pakistan-2013-final-report_en.pdf.