Distinguished delegates,
Racial discrimination is a scourge, not only because of its harm to individuals and communities. But also because it undermines the values of equality and dignity, it weakens social and national cohesion, it erodes trust, and it can threaten peace.
Mr. Vice President,
As you know, 2023 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The opening promise of the Declaration is that all people are entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind, including on the basis of race.
This is one of the founding principles of the human rights cause. A principle that has been reinforced in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and other instruments.
As we honour and celebrate the landmark vision of the Declaration, we also have an opportunity to reinvigorate it. To give it new life. And -- as we discuss the global crisis of racism today -- to inject new urgency into the fundamental commitments to humanity that it contains.
Mr. Vice President,
I honour the courage and determination of the thousands who have stood up against racism and racial discrimination, and those who continue to call for it to end.
Last month, I travelled to Haiti, which saw one of the first revolts by enslaved people. It is an example of a country whose people emerged from a hard-fought battle against colonialism, slavery and systemic racism, while continuing to confront their legacies.
Around the world, many other anti-racism movements have been key to the human rights cause, including the struggles against colonisation or apartheid, and more recent movements such as Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate.
Yet, despite our many and important steps forward, today, no country can claim to be free of racism.
We must do more to combat systemic racism and discrimination that permeate social structures, institutions and technologies.
That deny equal access to justice, employment, housing, quality education, and safe and affordable health care.
That result in excessive use of force and racial profiling by the police.
That cause refugees and migrants to be excluded, marginalized and even returned to situations of persecution and danger.
Mr. Vice President,
Earlier this month, I issued an open letter as part of my Office's Human Rights 75 initiative, in which I urged Member States to take specific and strong actions to deliver on the promise of equality and non-discrimination set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I called for the adoption and implementation of comprehensive national laws, policies and national action plans to eliminate racism and racial discrimination, and to halt the rising wave of xenophobia.
To ensure the effective participation of racial and ethnic groups in public decision-making.
To make use of disaggregated data to better understand and address the consequences of systemic racism and discrimination.
And to take concrete action to confront the enduring legacy of centuries of enslavement and colonialism, and deliver reparatory justice.
My Office's Four-point Agenda Towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality and the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent provide further recommendations.
In terms of the global anti-racism architecture, there are also steps that we can take. The newly established Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the elaboration of a United Nations declaration on the promotion, protection and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent are important opportunities for progress.
So is the elaboration of a draft additional protocol to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, criminalizing acts of a racist and xenophobic nature. I call on Member States to support and expeditiously finalise those processes.
And as the Coordinator of the International Decade for People of African Descent, I wish to see efforts towards recognition, justice and development for people of African descent pursued beyond 2024.
Mr. Vice President,
We are at a critical juncture. I would urge that we use the opportunity afforded by Human Rights 75 to eliminate the crushing injustice of racism and racial discrimination.
It is urgent that the international community join forces to push back against intolerance, hatred, bigotry and violence.
By unlearning bias, by having difficult conversations, by reckoning with the past, and ultimately, by caring for and respecting our fellow human beings.
Together - we have the chance to reimagine the commitments of the Universal Declaration, and build societies centred on equality and dignity for all.
Thank you.
