A/HRC/16/64
VI.
Sharing of experiences, including on good practices,
implementation of the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the
Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference
22.
The representative of Brazil stated that, although some forms of structural
discrimination persisted in Brazilian society, a number of policies aimed at promoting equal
guarantees to the full enjoyment of all human rights by sectors of its population that had
historically faced discrimination had been undertaken by the Government of Brazil. In
2009, the National Plan for the Promotion of Racial Equality had been launched to
overcome persisting racial inequalities in Brazil by promoting affirmative action policies.
Also in 2009, the third National Human Rights Plan, aimed at combating structural
inequalities, had been adopted. In July 2010, President Lula enacted the “Statute of Racial
Equality” aimed at reinforcing the obligation of the State and society to guarantee equal
opportunities to the country’s African descendent population.
23.
The European Union stated that it had adopted a number of instruments designed to
combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, such as a
directive that implements the principle of equal treatment between people irrespective of
racial or ethnic origin and a framework decision that aims at combating certain forms and
expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, through criminal
sanctions.
24.
The representative of Italy stated that a recent plan of action had been launched by
the City of Rome to facilitate the integration of Roma people and provide these
communities with better living conditions. The pilot project aimed at resettling 6,000 Roma
in the capital in order to provide them with better social and health services, as well as to
empower their community.
25.
The representative of the Netherlands stated that the Netherlands had adopted a law
establishing at the local level a nationwide network of anti-discrimination bureaus that were
responsible for registering complaints submitted to them in a central database and providing
assistance, such as mediation services and assistance for persons who lodged complaints
with the Equal Treatment Commission. The delegate pointed out that two studies with
regard to the fight against racism and discrimination had been published. The Working
Conditions Act had been amended and now obliged employers to pursue antidiscrimination policies. Instructions had been given to police and public prosecution
services with the aim of attaining closer cooperation among relevant actors and a more
targeted approach to discrimination at the regional level.
26.
The representative of South Africa expressed appreciation to the High
Commissioner for her efforts in mainstreaming the DDPA in the United Nations system.
The representative stated that his Government has taken a number of steps to implement the
DDPA, including the adoption of legislation and practical measures, with active
engagement of international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), political parties,
the national human rights institution, the private sector, the media and civil society. South
Africa had sought to promote the fight against racism at the 2010 International Federation
Association of Football Clubs “Football Wold Cup”, including by the display of a banner
with the words “Say No to Racism”. A counter-xenophobia unit had been established with
the mandate to promote a human rights-based culture in Government and civil society in
respect to immigration control. In this regard, training programmes have been initiated for
officials interacting with refugees and migrants, and measures have been taken to facilitate
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