A/HRC/32/29
between expressing oneself and insulting someone based on race, ethnicity or nationality
and incitement to hatred. The European Union had the moral responsibility to sound the
alarm when major social changes for the worse occurred within the borders of its member
States, to adopt a strong position on emerging extremism and to create a holistic approach
to safeguarding fundamental human rights in the European Union, otherwise democracy
would be under serious threat.
22.
Ms. Bozkurt described existing practices in combating racial discrimination through
and in sports and underscored that the fight against racism needed more heroes speaking
out loud, including football players, clubs, politicians, leaders and people in the streets.
IV. Summary of the discussion
23.
During the ensuing discussion, contributions were made by representatives of
Algeria, Belgium, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany,
Greece, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan (on its own
behalf and on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation), Panama, Paraguay,
Portugal, the Russian Federation, South Africa (on behalf of the African Group), Spain, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay (on behalf of the Southern
Common Market (MERCOSUR)) and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), as well as the
Council of Europe and the European Union.
24.
Representatives of the following national human rights institutions and civil society
organizations also took the floor: Friends World Committee for Consultation, International
Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, Maarij Foundation for Peace
and Development, UN Watch, Arab Commission for Human Rights, Iraqi Development
Organization, and International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations.
Statements by the World Jewish Congress and the International Organization for the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination were not delivered owing to lack of
time. Copies of their statements are, however, posted on the Human Rights Council
extranet.
25.
Many delegates began their statements by condemning political organizations based
on racism, xenophobia, racial discrimination as well as any kind of legislation based on
those ideas, which are incompatible with democracy.
26.
One delegate, speaking on behalf of a group of States, noted that, 16 years after the
first resolution on the incompatibility between democracy and racism had been adopted,
racism, xenophobia and intolerance in public opinion and society seemed on the rise.
Vulnerable groups, such as migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, indigenous peoples,
minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons continued to be victims of
violence and attacks.
27.
There was general agreement among the delegates that, even in the greatest
democracies in the world, individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, such as migrants,
refugees and minorities, continued to be victims of violence. Many delegates pointed out
that the large-scale migration and terrorist acts had led to a proliferation of hatred and
xenophobia that targeted some groups and stigmatized them on the grounds of culture or
religion. The situation of vulnerable groups — mainly migrants — had worsened in recent
months, which impeded the exercise of their rights to fully enjoy human rights.
28.
Another delegate noted that, in some cases, xenophobic acts were justified on the
basis of democratic values, which created a conceptual confusion that must be clarified.
29.
Several Member States highlighted that democracy, transparency, participation,
responsibility and respect for human rights were essential to preventing and eliminating
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