A/HRC/25/69 Annexes [English only] Annex I A. Summary of the expert presentations and initial discussions on the topics of “Xenophobia” and “Establishment, designation or maintaining of national mechanisms with competences to protect against and prevent all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” 1. At the 4th meeting on 24 July, Ms. Daniela Gomes, a civil society activist and journalist from Brazil, gave a presentation on racial discrimination and xenophobia in the region of Latin America. She highlighted unequal socio-economic situation, marginalization and disparities particularly affecting people of African descent and indigenousness peoples in the region and that racism existed in all spheres of life. Ms. Gomes noted that it was usual for people to deny that racism and xenophobia existed in the region, while there were victims in each country. She noted that even sport could present a stage for xenophobic manifestations in Latin America. Ms. Gomes stated that xenophobia and racism had a tendency to intersect and that most of the victims are people of African descent and indigenous peoples who face racial discrimination and social exclusion. 2. She pointed out that following the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban in 2001, Governments of the region started creating national mechanisms to combat racial discrimination. She highlighted that laws could not be considered effective, if they are not implemented. Ms. Gomes emphasized that racial crimes should be processed as such, and not presented by state authorities and the judiciary as simple injuries which disregarded racist motivation as a factor. Ms Gomes stated that laws against discrimination should be combined with public policies, which could assist the population in understanding the importance of equal rights. She highlighted the important role of public awareness-raising campaigns, including on positive measures and affirmative action programmes. She noted the responsibility of civil society in the region to actively participate and demand more from their governments and to learn to use strategically human rights mechanisms. Ms. Gomes also stated that it was important to ensure free legal aid and psychological support for victims. She stated that it was important that the police services receive training in order to abolish the practice of racial profiling. 3. Ms. Gomes noted the governments should increase awareness of the history of people of African descent and ensure that education officers monitor the implementation of laws regarding the African diaspora history and culture in the educational curriculum at schools. Media should also reflect diversity in a positive way and people of African descent and indigenous peoples should be represented in the media profession. She noted that many of the issues that she had raised and recommendations which she was making had previously been addressed and included in the UPR and CERD recommendations to countries in the region. She concluded that it was time for change and to ensure that people of African descent and indigenous peoples participated equally in the job market, education, media, law enforcement and all other domains. 4. The delegate of Brazil noted that historically Brazil had not acknowledged racism in the country, which was noticeable even in its former reports to the CERD Committee. The 20