K. Freedom from Discrimination The prohibition against discrimination on grounds including race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, and national or social origin is a core human rights norm considered to be jus cogens. States must respect it in all circumstances. United Nations While it understands the security requirements relating to the events of 11 September 2001, and takes note of the appeal of [the State party] for respect for human rights within the framework of the international campaign against terrorism, the [Human Rights] Committee expresses its concern regarding the effect of this campaign on the situation of human rights in [the State party], in particular for persons of foreign extraction…. The State party is … requested to undertake an educational campaign through the media to protect persons of foreign extraction, in particular Arabs and Muslims, from stereotypes associating them with terrorism, extremism and fanaticism. --CCPR/CO/74/SWE, para. 12 (2002). ***** Since 11 September 2001, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has addressed in several instances the relationship between terrorism and racial discrimination: While acknowledging the efforts made to confront the scourge of terrorism, the Committee is concerned about reports that members of particular groups … are singled out by law-enforcement officials. In this regard, the Committee draws the State party's attention to its statement of 8 March 2002 in which the Committee underlines the obligation of States to "ensure that measures taken in the struggle against terrorism do not discriminate in purpose or effect on grounds of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin" (A/57/18, paragraph 514, Statement on racial discrimination and measures to combat terrorism , paragraph 5 of the Statement). --CERD/C/62/CO/7, para. 24 (2003). ***** The Committee is concerned about reports of a considerable increase in reported cases of widespread harassment of people of Arab and Muslim backgrounds since 11 September 2001. The Committee recommends that the State party monitor this situation carefully, take decisive action to protect the rights of victims and deal with perpetrators, and report on this matter in its next periodic report. 76