II. ADDRESSING THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES POSED BY EXTREMIST POLITICAL PARTIES, MOVEMENTS AND GROUPS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CORRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS. 

B. Persistence of racial violence against vulnerable groups

8. While minorities, migrants, foreigners, asylum seekers and refugees continue to be the main victims of racist and xenophobic violence by individuals linked to extremist political parties, movements or groups, the Special Rapporteur is concerned that such individuals also target persons on the basis of their sexual orientation. In this regard, he is deeply concerned about information received recently regarding the death of a young gay man of 24 years old, following a brutal attack by individuals linked to a neo-Nazi group, who beat him unconscious and cut swastikas on his chest and arms with a broken bottle. The Special Rapporteur draws the attention of States and relevant actors to prejudice and behaviour that tends to stigmatize and place individuals into a single category. Like his predecessor, he recalls that the identity of each individual is made up of a multitude of components, including gender, age, nationality, profession, sexual orientation, political opinion, religious affiliation and social origin (A/HRC/14/43, para. 13). He calls for further tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for all, without prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination of any kind. In this regard, it is essential that appropriate measures be taken by States to address the multiple and often interlinked forms of discrimination faced by individuals on the basis of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin and sexual orientation.

9. The Special Rapporteur shares the view of the High Commissioner that States should investigate promptly all reported killings and other serious incidents of violence perpetrated against individuals because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, whether carried out in public or in private by State or non-State actors (/HRC/19/41, para. 84 (a)), including extremist movements and groups, and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Indeed, reports received indicate that racist, xenophobic and intolerant acts perpetrated by persons belonging or linked to extremist political parties, movements and groups are not always prosecuted or adequately sanctioned. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur received information about a case regarding the murder of nine migrants by a neo-Nazi group during a 13-year crime spree, which the authorities allegedly failed to adequately investigate.

Link to full text of the report: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Racism/A.HRC.20.38_En.pdf