HRC55 - Item 9 General Debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and[...]

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HRC55 - Item 9 General Debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action - EU Statement

28.03.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

55th Session

Item 9 General Debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

28 March 2024

EU statement

Mr/Madam Chair,

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Republic of Moldova*and Georgia, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

With regard to the report of the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, the EU thanks the Permanent Representative of Rwanda for her skillful leadership.

The EU will continue to engage meaningfully in the negotiations of a draft UN Declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. While we made progress in the past months, several issues remain outstanding. It is important to take the necessary time to solve these issues before deciding on next steps. Precepts that will continue to guide the EU position relate to the need to ensure respect for the fundamental principle of the universality of human rights and the importance of not deviating from existing international human rights law.

The EU will also continue to request an in-depth discussion on how to rationalise and streamline existing mechanisms in the field of the fight against racism, on the basis of the proposal put forward during the 21st session of the IGWG. There is a need to concentrate expertise, look at the calendar and decide who does what where and when.

With regard to the High Commissioner's report on combating discrimination as well as religious intolerance, the EU stands ready to work with partners around the globe to advance "greater tolerance and respect and recognition of diversity".

The European Commission also maintains a continuous dialogue with churches, religious associations as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations.

We stand ready to revitalize existing processes such as the Istanbul Process, which was created to follow up on the implementation of the action plan set out in Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, and will continue to work on the basis of the Rabat Plan of Action, taking into account the Beirut Declaration and the "Faith for Rights" framework, essential tools designed to help states tackle religious intolerance in a human rights-compliant manner, which the international community should continue to foster and implement.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia and Montenegro continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process