A/HRC/23/19
32.
The representative of Japan listed several concrete measures that his Government
had taken to ensure the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme
of Action, emphasizing that human rights issues relating to foreigners remained a priority.
He also gave an update on the implementation of the State’s obligation under the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
33.
The representative of Norway enumerated a number of measures taken by his
Government to build a more inclusive society, emphasizing that legal protection, measures
in plans of action and awareness-raising and educational campaigns were major tools in the
prevention of racism and the protection of vulnerable groups from various types of
discrimination.
34.
The representative of Senegal emphasized the importance of preventive measures.
35.
The representative of Austria informed participants on the recent review of his
country by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the relevant
measures taken. He emphasized the importance of intercultural and interfaith dialogue and
the creation of a task force on dialogue between cultures. He also elaborated on the national
plan of action on integration that included, for example, a focus on the media, human rights
education and the training of law enforcement officials.
36.
The Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Section of the Office of the High
Commissioner (OHCHR) provided an overview of the activities conducted by OHCHR
since the ninth session. He reported on the Section’s collaboration with the National Human
Rights Commission of Nigeria aimed at elaborating a national plan of action against
discrimination, to be integrated into the existing plan of action for the promotion and
protection of human rights. He highlighted the establishment of the United Nations network
on racial discrimination and protection of minorities, endorsed by the Policy Committee of
the Secretary-General in March 2012.
37.
The Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Section also referred to the second Fellowship
Programme for People of African Descent, organized by the Section in 2012, and the
progress achieved in the creation of the OHCHR database on practical means to combat
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
38.
With regard to the joint activities of OHCHR and the Department of Public
Information , the Chief of the Anti-Discrimination Section referred to a range of activities
to promote the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day of
Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He noted the
finalization of the new publication compiling the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action, the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference and the political
declaration of the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
39.
The representative of the European Union stressed its determination to ensure
conformity of national laws of Member States with European Union law prohibiting racist
and xenophobic hate speech and crimes, and referred to the efforts of the European
Commission in this regard. She reported on the financial support for civil society actions
and national policies to combat discrimination, promote equality and redress with regard to
racist speech and crimes through the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship programme.
40.
The representative of Austria referred to the OHCHR database to be launched in
2013, stating that it would be a useful tool for the collection of relevant documents, national
legislation, good practices and laws.
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