HRC 51 - EU Statement: Item 9: Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme[...]

HRC 51 - EU Statement: Item 9: Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Mr/Madam Chair,

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

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Ukraine, the potential candidate countries Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

Madam Acting High Commissioner, the EU thanks you for your report pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/21.

Just last week, on 21 September, we observed International Peace Day. The theme was "End racism. Build peace." On this occasion, UNSG Guterres reminded us of "the many ways racism poisons people's hearts and minds and erodes the peace we all seek". He stated that "racism robs people of their rights and dignity and inflames inequalities and mistrust".

There is indeed a pressing need to continue to do more. The EU is firmly committed to the fight against racism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance, whether perceived or actual. The EU will continue to work for societies in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality prevail.

With regard to the most recent sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the EU would like to commend the Permanent Representative of Djibouti as Chair-Rapporteur for her tireless efforts in trying to find common ground.

The EU remains of the opinion however that there is no need for an additional protocol to the ICERD given that the ICERD is a flexible, living document that also lends itself to tackle contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination. The only existing gap relates to the lack of implementation of the Convention. Therefore the EU calls for the full and effective implementation of this instrument.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.