A/HRC/37/77
conditions on groups of workers who, without any labour rights, could become even more
marginalized and more vulnerable to discrimination. She also stressed the need for more
initiatives for social inclusion, in particular at the level of local government, as social
inclusion created less tension in society, more participation and less discrimination. Ms.
Touzenis concluded with a reference to the global compact on refugees, noting that it
should be based firmly on existing international legal standards and contain certain goals
grounded on indicators formed by international standards.
78.
Ms. Crawley provided an overview of the key challenges faced by migrants and
refugees in society. She noted that the discussion around migrants and refugees had become
politically toxic in the United Kingdom and migrants and refugees had become stigmatized
to a greater extent than before.
79.
Ms. Crawley raised the issue of the way in which opinion polls around migrantrelated questions were conducted. She noted that the role of the media was particularly
crucial, as it was often the principle source of anti-migrant messages and of negative
attitudes towards migrants and refugees. She stressed that the economic and social
consequences of migration were not the fault of migrants and refugees themselves, but in
fact a failure by the Government to implement policies created to address the issue
effectively.
80.
Mr. Saleem presented an overview of all the initiatives undertaken by the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and by all the
participating national societies of the Federation. He noted that the Federation initiative
“Strategy 2020” aimed to identify the structural and cultural causes of the social exclusion
of migrants and refugees and factors of difference or “diversity”. He stressed the
importance of removing inequality through improved social inclusion and making society
more inclusive as a means of providing equal opportunities, resources and rights to
migrants, and easing their adjustment to a new more inclusive society.
81.
Mr. Saleem gave several examples of programmes set up to support equal
opportunities for migrants and refugees, such as through peer support, volunteering and
cultural activities. Such programmes aimed to provide access to labour markets for
migrants and others, supporting migrant students and children, raising public awareness,
starting school-based initiatives with the participation of host communities and bringing
people together through community engagement and sports.
82.
The representative of the European Union stated that in the light of the current
international refugee and migration crisis, the framing of a racial discrimination discourse
in the context of migration was highly pertinent. She emphasized that the European Union
remained deeply concerned by the level of discriminatory practices and xenophobic
narratives that portrayed refugees and migrants as a threat to national security and that it
condemned all kinds of discriminatory and disproportionate counter-terrorism measures.
83.
The representative of South Africa commended the New York Declaration for
Refugees and Migrants, which recognized the reality of migration and reflected the need for
greater international cooperation, solidarity, and equitable responsibility for hosting and
supporting forcibly displaced persons.
X. Conclusions and recommendations
A.
Discussion on the state of racial discrimination worldwide
Conclusions
84.
The Working Group:
(a)
Reaffirms its commitment to the full and effective implementation of the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Outcome Document of the
Durban Review Conference and the political declaration of the high-level meeting of
the General Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the
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