GENEVA - The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold a high-level panel discussion on Tuesday 26 August 2025 to examine how racism and racial discrimination weakens democracy and restricts the meaningful, inclusive and safe participation of people in public and political affairs. The debate will take place in Room XX of the Palais des Nations in Geneva and will be webcast live and archived at webtv.un.org.
The intersessional high-level panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism, held pursuant to Human Rights Councilresolution 53/21, will deepen the understanding of the linkage and complementarity of democracy and the fight against racism. It will also provide a platform to explore recommendations for combatting racism through effective legislation, policies, and plans of action. Speakers will highlight examples of progress and persistent challenges from different regions, with a focus on marginalized racial and ethnic groups who face exclusion and discrimination.
Opening statements will be delivered by Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality of Brazil (video statement). Panellists include:
- José Francisco Calí Tzay,Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Ibrahima Guissé,Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- Anastasia Crickley, Chair of the International Council of Minority Rights Group
- Tea Jaliashvili, First Deputy Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The discussion will be chaired by Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council. A summary report will be presented to the Council at its 60th session (8 September-8 October 2025).
