A/HRC/23/19
123. The Working Group underlines the necessity for political leaders and political
parties at every level to take a strong public stance, concrete measures, actions and
policies against discourses that propagate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance including when such messages come from their own ranks.
124. The Working Group encourages all political parties and politicians, at every
level, to consider undertaking the following measures:
(a)
Adopting action plans against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance;
(b)
Encouraging diversity among candidates presented for election and
within their own structures;
(c)
Promoting the development of diversity within political leadership as a
fundamental value of the political systems;
(d)
Establishing strong, positive and sustained cooperation with the media to
build a platform against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance;
(e)
Seeking to promote and achieve the respect for diversity through
political action and legislative measures;
(f)
Committing to take decisive action against racist discourse; condemn
openly all political messages or discourses that disseminate ideas based on racial
superiority or hatred and that incite racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance.
125. The Working Group urges all political parties and political leaders at every
level, to engage with civil society in the fight against racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance.
126. The Working Group further encourages political parties to develop codes of
conduct in accordance with international human rights law that include internal
disciplinary measures for violations thereof, so their members refrain from public
statements and actions that encourage or incite racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance.
127. The Working Group notes the necessity of implementing existing legislations in
the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
These legislations should be comprehensively well drafted to encompass all forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including all its
contemporary forms and manifestations. Related to the foregoing, the Working
Group recognizes that legislation alone, while fundamental, is not sufficient by itself to
respond fully to the challenges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance.
128. The Working Group further notes that States should focus systematically and
methodically on the root causes of the scourge of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance as identified in the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action and apply a combination of measures towards its elimination.
The Working Group recognizes that education plays a significant role in eliminating
racial and negative stereotypes.
129. The Working Group believes that human rights education and awarenessraising, including amongst political parties and political leaders, is critical in
addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The
Working Group recommends States to adopt educational campaigns with the aim of
18
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents