A/HRC/31/3
entitled Behind Closed Doors: Protecting and Promoting the Human Rights of Migrant
Domestic Workers in an Irregular Situation, and organized a seminar on the subject of the
latter publication. In September 2015, OHCHR launched a short documentary film
highlighting the situation of undocumented women migrant domestic workers.
2.
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
32.
While 2015 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, racial discrimination and xenophobia
sadly remain prevalent around the world. All too often hate speech and hate crimes are
directed at racial, religious and ethnic minorities. During the reporting period, the High
Commissioner condemned increasingly xenophobic and anti-Muslim views in response to
the migration “crisis” in some countries of the European Union and drew attention to
persistent discrimination against African-Americans and racial biases in law enforcement,
criminal justice and other areas in the United States. In December 2015, in Brazil, he
opened the first regional meeting of the International Decade for People of African Descent
(2015-2024), which constitutes an opportunity to focus on the themes of recognition, justice
and development. OHCHR developed, through a participatory process, guidelines to
monitor and document racial profiling. OHCHR also organized a first workshop with
Russian and Ukrainian journalists on the issue of preventing and combating incitement to
hatred and discrimination in the media.
33.
OHCHR sought to address issues relating to racism and discrimination through
sport. In collaboration with the Russian Federation, the International Federation of Football
Associations and civil society organizations, OHCHR held two events to address challenges
in anticipation of the 2018 World Cup and beyond.
3.
Discrimination on the basis of indigenous or minority status
34.
In follow-up to the outcome document of the 2014 Word Conference on Indigenous
Peoples, OHCHR continued to promote and facilitate the inclusion of indigenous peoples in
decision-making at the national and international levels. For example, it supported the
preparation of a system-wide follow-up action plan. In Colombia and Paraguay, OHCHR
contributed to increasing indigenous peoples’ participation through training and by
supporting the development of special protocols.
35.
In the framework of the United Nations network on racial discrimination and
protection of minorities, OHCHR trained the United Nations country teams in the
Philippines and Fiji in 2015.
36.
In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, OHCHR supported the creation of
an educational website against discrimination and assisted the national anti-discrimination
commission in establishing an online complaints facility. In Serbia, OHCHR contributed to
a new national strategy aimed at the social inclusion of Roma communities.
37.
Through different initiatives, including the minority and indigenous peoples’
fellowship programmes, OHCHR strengthened the capacity of minorities and indigenous
peoples to claim their rights at home and in international forums. The United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples — which turned 30 in 2015 — continued to play a
crucial role in facilitating the participation of indigenous representatives in international
human rights activities.
6
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