Draft Declaration and Programme of
Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance by the Preparatory Committee, Inter-sessional open-ended working
group, Geneva, 6-9 March 2001
Elements for a draft declaration and
programme of action for the World Conference
Note by the Secretary-General
1. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
acting in her capacity as Secretary-General of the World Conference, has the honour to
transmit to the inter-sessional open-ended working group initial elements for the draft
declaration and programme of action of the World Conference, as requested by the
Preparatory Committee in its decision PC.1/12 adopted at its first session
(A/CONF.189/PC.1/21, annex 1).
2. These elements are drawn principally from resolutions of
the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights, the Vision Statement,
international instruments, the final acts of the World Conferences of 1978 and 1983 and
the reports of the regional conferences and expert seminars. They are necessarily
selective and are inspired by the quest to identify consensus building blocks that would
enable the international community to go forward together united in the struggle against
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
GE.01-11385 (E)
Draft Declaration
The World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
Having met in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August
to 6 September 2001,
Expressing deep appreciation to the Government of
South Africa for hosting this World Conference,
Drawing inspiration from the heroic struggle of the
people of South Africa for equality and justice under democracy, the rule of law and
respect for human rights,
Recalling that the Charter of the United Nations is
based on the principles of the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings and seeks
among its basic objectives to achieve international cooperation in solving international
problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and
encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,
Reaffirming the principle of equality and
non-discrimination in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and in numerous international
treaties and declarations as a foundation principle of national, regional and
international public policy,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution
1997/74, General Assembly resolution 52/111 and subsequent resolutions of those bodies
concerning the convening of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and recalling also the two World Conferences to Combat
Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva in 1978 and 1983,
Recalling the commitment and policy recommendations
of three decades of action to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance,
Emphasizing the fundamental importance of universal
adherence to and faithful implementation of, the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as the principal international
instrument to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Underscoring the importance of the gender dimension
of racial discrimination and the fundamental importance of universal adherence to and
faithful implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women,
Having considered the reports of the regional
conferences organized at Dakar, Santiago, Strasbourg and Tehran, as well as the reports of
expert seminars and other meetings organized in preparation for the World Conference,
Having listened to the aspirations of peoples and
groups from different parts of the world for genuine equality of opportunity for
development and for justice,
Applauding the Vision Statement launched by
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa under the patronage of The Honourable Nelson
Mandela, first President of the new South Africa, and at the initiative of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference,
and signed by 74 Heads of State, Heads of Government and Dignitaries,
Fully aware that, despite efforts undertaken by the
international community and national Governments, racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance continue to be responsible for violations of basic
human rights resulting in suffering, disadvantage and violence, which must be combated by
all available and appropriate means and as a matter of the highest priority,
Dedicating ourselves without reservation to
redoubling our efforts to combating the scourge of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance fully and effectively, giving this struggle the
priority attention it deserves,
Determined that the twenty-first century shall be
the century of human rights and the realization of genuine equality of opportunities and
treatment for all individuals and peoples,
Join together, in a spirit of renewed political will
and commitment, and adopt the following Durban Declaration and Commitment to Universal
Equality and Justice:
1. All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights.
Any doctrine of racial superiority is, therefore, scientifically false, morally
condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and has no justification whatsoever; WCR 1
& 2, Regional Conference, Tehran Cf. Regional Conference Strasbourg
2. We all constitute one human family striving for the full
exercise of our human spirit, the reawakening of all its inventive, creative and moral
capacities, enhanced by the equal participation of men and women. Recognizing this can
make the twenty-first century an era of genuine fulfilment and peace; Vision statement
3. All peoples and all human groups have contributed to the
progress of civilization and cultures which constitute the common heritage of humanity; WCR
1 & 2
4. For too long diversity has been treated as threat rather
than gift, and too often that threat has been expressed in racial contempt and conflict,
in exclusion, discrimination and intolerance. We must refocus our understanding, discern
in diversity of race and culture the potential for mutual enrichment, and realize that it
is the interchange between great traditions of human spirituality that offers the best
prospect for the human spirit itself; Vision statement
5. We are conscious that humanity’s history is replete
with terrible wrongs inflicted through lack of respect for the equality of human beings
manifested through wars, genocide, slavery, holocaust, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and
other atrocities, and we understand the quest of the victims and their heirs for justice,
dignity, respect and correction of the continuing consequences of historical wrongs. We
call for open national and international dialogue to address these concerns;
6. We salute the memory of all victims of racism and racial
discrimination, colonialism and apartheid all over the world; Regional Conference,
Dakar
7. We also understand that intolerance and racial
discrimination breed and fester in inequitable political, economic and social conditions,
and that genuine equality of opportunity for development is fundamental for the
eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. We
therefore call for urgent national, regional and international measures to provide the
chance for a decent life for all the peoples of the world in their magnificent diversity;
8. We believe that the spirit of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action should guide the
pursuit of equality and non-discrimination in all countries and societies. We affirm that
the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights alongside civil and political
rights must become the highest priority of Governments, reflecting the aspirations of the
peoples of the world;
9. We recognize the important role of civil society in
proposing strategies for the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance and in assisting Governments in their implementation; Regional
Conference, Tehran
10. In reviewing progress made in the fight against racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance since the adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we note that despite the development of
international, regional and national laws underpinning equality, racist attitudes remain
deeply entrenched and that political, economic and social conditions often inhibit their
implementation. We also note with sadness that minorities, indigenous people, migrants,
asylum-seekers and refugees and others still suffer from widespread inequality and racial
discrimination. The obstacles to equality lie in the mind and the spirit as well as in
political, economic and social conditions. Education, development, and the faithful
implementation of international human rights norms are the keys to future action for
equality and non-discrimination;
11. We reaffirm that racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance threaten democratic societies and our fundamental
values; Regional Conference, Strasbourg
12. We express our conviction that political platforms
based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and discrimination must be
condemned as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable governance, and
that racial discrimination condoned by governmental policies violates human rights and may
endanger friendly relations among peoples, cooperation among nations, and international
peace and security; Regional Conference, Santiago and Regional Conference, Tehran Cf.
Regional Conference, Dakar
13. We reaffirm that all initiatives aiming at greater
political, social and cultural participation, especially of persons belonging to
vulnerable groups, should be encouraged; Regional Conference, Strasbourg
14. We recognize that education is key to the promotion of
respect for the racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of societies and for the
promotion and protection of democratic values which are essential to prevent the spread of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Regional Conference,
Tehran
15. We express deep concern about the use of new
information technologies, such as the Internet, to propagate racial hatred, xenophobia,
racial discrimination and related intolerance, and that children and youth have access to
this material; Regional Conference, Tehran Cf. Regional Conference, Santiago
16. The new technologies, including the Internet, should
contribute to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
and should also be used to promote tolerance and respect for diversity; Regional
Conference, Tehran
17. We recognize that although globalization, as an ongoing
process, is a powerful and dynamic force with the potential to help achieve the goal of
development and prosperity for all of humankind, there is a need to manage it properly to
guard against adverse trends, including
growing economic disparity and cultural homogenization,
which, by marginalizing certain countries and groups, could, inter alia, contribute
to maintaining and strengthening racist attitudes; Regional Conference, Tehran Cf.
Regional Conference, Dakar
18. We recognize that certain persons and groups may
experience other forms of discrimination on the basis of their gender, age, disability,
genetic condition, language, religion, sexual orientation, economic status or social
origin, and that in addition they may experience acts of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. We note that this situation can result in such persons
being victims of multiple forms of discrimination, and stress that special attention
should be given to the elaboration of strategies, policies and programmes, which may
include affirmative action, for such persons; Regional Conference, Santiago Cf.
Regional Conference, Tehran
19. We underscore the need to promote strategies,
programmes and policies, which may include measures of affirmative action, for furthering
the realization of the civil and political rights of victims of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including through more effective
access to the political, judicial and administrative functions of institutions, as well as
the need to increase access to the administration of justice in all its forms, free from
racial discrimination of any kind; Regional Conference, Santiago Regional Conference,
Tehran
20. We affirm that the slave trade, particularly of
Africans, was an appalling tragedy in the history of humanity, not only because of its
abhorrent barbarism but also in terms of its enormous magnitude, its institutionalized
nature, its transnational dimension, and especially its negation of the essence of the
victims, and further note that the practice of slavery is now recognized as a crime
against humanity. Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
21. We recognize the need to adopt and implement strictly
stringent laws, administrative measures and action plans aimed at countering all forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and to carry out
exhaustive, timely and impartial investigations of all acts of racism and racial
discrimination, to penalize those responsible according to the law and to secure prompt
and fair reparation for the victims; Regional Conference, Tehran Cf. Regional
Conference, Santiago
22. We recognize the importance of national institutions
for the promotion and protection of human rights and ombudsman institutions in the
struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and
reaffirm the need for such entities to be established where they do not exist, and call
upon the authorities and society in general in those countries where they are performing
their tasks of protection and prevention to cooperate to the maximum extent possible; Regional
Conference, Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Tehran
23. We also recognize that international exchange and
dialogue among youth is an important element in building intercultural understanding and
respect and will contribute to the elimination of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance; Regional Conference, Santiago Regional Conference,
Tehran
24. Rallying to the call by the General Assembly for
concrete recommendations on ways to increase the effectiveness of the activities and
mechanisms of the United Nations through programmes aimed at combating racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, we commend a Programme of Action for
Equality and Non-Discrimination, grounded in actions at the national, regional and
international levels, to be reviewed in five years. The bedrock for the Programme
of Action is the opening article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which
proudly declares that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and
that they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a
spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. A key to equality lies in article 28 of the
Universal Declaration which calls for a social and international order in which the rights
and freedoms in the Declaration can be fully realized;
25. We are also guided by the invitation extended by the
General Assembly for concrete recommendations for ensuring that the United Nations has the
financial and other necessary resources for its action to combat racism, racial
discrimination and related intolerance.
Draft Programme of Action for
Equality and Non-Discrimination
I. Measures at the national level
Legal measures
The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance calls upon Governments:
(a) To adopt and implement, wherever necessary, national
legislation and administrative measures that expressly and specifically counter racism and
prohibit racial discrimination in all spheres of public life;
(b) To guarantee equality to all without discrimination by
ensuring equality of opportunity;
(c) To ensure that all victims of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance receive/have access to adequate
information, support, and national legal, administrative and judicial remedies;
(d) To bring to justice those responsible for racist acts
and the violence to which they give rise, ensuring the prohibition of racial
discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression. Regional
Conference, Strasbourg
National policies, programmes and strategies
The World Conference urges States to adopt or strengthen,
as appropriate, national programmes for eradicating poverty which take account of
indigenous populations, people of minority descent, migrants and other ethnic, racial,
cultural, religious and linguistic groups or minorities, and of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and also request that they expand
their efforts to foster bilateral, regional and international cooperation in implementing
those programmes. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference urges Governments:
(a) To establish national policies and action plans to
combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and related intolerance,
including through the creation of independent specialized national institutions with
competence in this field, or reinforcing such institutions where they exist;
(b) To pay specific attention to the treatment of persons
belonging to vulnerable groups and to persons who suffer discrimination on multiple
grounds;
(c) To integrate a gender perspective in policies and
action to combat racism with a view to empowering women belonging to vulnerable groups to
claim respect for their rights in all spheres of public and private life;
(d) To create conditions for the promotion and protection
of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of persons belonging to
national minorities where such minorities exist;
(e) To counter social exclusion and marginalization, in
particular by providing equal access to education, employment and housing;
(f) To ensure the development of specific measures
concerning non-nationals, which actively involve the host society and encourage respect
for cultural diversity, to promote fair treatment for non-nationals and to facilitate
their integration into social, cultural, political and economic life;
(g) To pay increased attention to the non-discriminatory
treatment of non-nationals detained by public authorities;
(h) To reflect on the effective access of all members of
the community, including members of vulnerable groups, to the decision-making processes in
society, in particular at the local level;
(i) To develop effective policies and implementation
mechanisms and exchange good practices for the full achievement of equality for
Roma/Gypsies and Travellers. Regional Conference, Strasbourg
The World Conference urges the promotion of forms of good
governance based on the principles of the rule of law, equality and non-discrimination and
that reflect the full diversity of a given State. A model code of conduct should be
developed for political parties so that their members refrain from public utterances that
could encourage racism and racist sentiment among the public. Asia-Pacific seminar of
experts, Bangkok
National institutions
The World Conference urges all Governments to establish,
where none exist, and to strengthen, where they do exist, human rights bodies (public
defenders, human rights attorneys, ombudsmen, etc.). These bodies should have the
following characteristics: (a) they must conform to the principles regarding the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the "Paris
principles"); (b) they must have a unit specialized in racial discrimination; (c)
they must have a broad mandate in terms of both issues and capabilities; (d) they must be
visible and accessible to the population; (e) they must be able to initiate
investigations, issue recommendations and institute legal proceedings in cases of racial
discrimination; (f) their personnel must be representative of the population they serve. Seminar
of experts for Latin America and Caribbean, Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
Regional Conference, Tehran
The World Conference:
(a) Urges States to include or reinforce, as part of the
mandate of the ombudsman or equivalent institution, jurisdiction over cases of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as foster cooperation
of these institutions with other national institutions;
(b) Urges States to take steps to ensure that national
human rights institutions reflect the diversity of the country and population, and to
ensure that members of groups which are victims of or vulnerable to racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance can participate fully in these
institutions;
(c) Urges States to support national human rights
institutions or similar bodies responsible for combating racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, inter alia by promoting quantitative,
qualitative and gender-sensitive research on the subject with the participation of those
being researched, the publication and circulation of existing national laws and
jurisprudence, and cooperation with institutions in other countries so that knowledge can
be gained of the manifestations, functioning and mechanisms of these practices and the
strategies designed to prevent, combat and eradicate them;
(d) Also urges States to ensure that national human rights
institutions and public institutions responsible for combating racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, inter alia, have within their
competence the capacity to receive, investigate and mediate complaints and, where
appropriate, to refer such complaints to the justice system for appropriate action. Regional
Conference, Santiago
II. Education, Training and Public
Information
The World Conference underlines the crucial role of
education, in particular human rights education, in the prevention and eradication of all
forms of intolerance and discrimination. In this regard, it is important to reinforce the
anti-discrimination component of the school curricula
and to improve educational materials on human rights, in
order to shape attitudes and behavioural patterns based on the principles of
non-discrimination, mutual respect and tolerance. Expert seminar on remedies,
Geneva Cf. Regional Conference, Tehran
The World Conference urges all Governments to conduct
nationwide campaigns to raise awareness among State organs, such as the judiciary,
and law enforcement agencies, public officials, including legislators, as well as
civil society organizations, including associations involved with migrants and other
vulnerable groups, concerning the provisions of the International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Asia-Pacific seminar of experts,
Bangkok Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
The World Conference recommends that police and immigration
officials receive training in the application of international human rights standards such
as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that the successful completion of such training
programmes be made one of the criteria for promotion. Asia-Pacific seminar of experts,
Bangkok
The World Conference requests States to include the
struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance among
the activities of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education. Regional
Conference, Santiago
The World Conference calls upon participating States to
introduce, or encourage the introduction of, or reinforce, human rights education,
including promoting anti-racism, in school curricula and in institutions of higher
education.
The World Conference encourages States to consider taking
measures to increase the recruitment, retention and promotion of women and men belonging
to targeted groups to the teaching profession and guarantee them effective equality of
access to it.
The World Conference calls upon States to commit themselves
to undertaking public information campaigns or other more long-term initiatives, to alert
their societies to the dangers of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism
and related intolerance, and to support initiatives of non-governmental organizations in
this respect. Such campaigns or initiatives need to be addressed to the whole of society,
in particular young people.
The World Conference recognizes that networks of
information are an important tool in the fight against racism and xenophobia. All States
should recognize the importance of community media, in particular community radio, that
give a voice to women and men from targeted groups.
States should intensify their efforts in the field of
education to promote the consciousness of the evil of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, in order to ensure the respect for the dignity
and worth of all human beings. In this context, States should develop, where appropriate,
and implement specific sensitization and training programmes, formulated in local
languages for all categories of society, in particular young people, to combat racism. Regional
Conference, Dakar
The World Conference urges States to give priority to
textbook and curriculum review so as to eliminate any elements that might promote racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance or reinforce negative
stereotypes, including material that refutes such stereotypes. It also urges them to
provide an accurate presentation of the history of the State, highlighting the
contributions of the different cultures and civilizations of the region and the world,
including the role that indigenous people, people of African descent, migrants and other
ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and minorities have played in
building national identities. Regional Conference, Santiago
To increase the level of awareness about the scourge of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the World Conference
calls for the continuation and expansion of the goodwill ambassadors programme initiated
by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It urges that goodwill ambassadors be
designated in all countries of the world to spearhead a culture of tolerance, respect and
human rights. It also calls for a special campaign to publicize and promote the work of
the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
III. PREVENTION
The World Conference urges that:
(a) The capacity of the urgent procedures
mechanisms of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination should be
strengthened so that it can act immediately under article 4 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination with regard to any
mass media appeals and any other incitement to racial discrimination and violence leading
to genocide.
(b) The resources of the Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination should be increased to enable it to act effectively in investigating
fully any allegations of genocide or direct or public incitement to commit genocide
brought to its knowledge by Member States, an international organization or a
non-governmental organization, and to enable it to cooperate with early-warning and any
good offices functions of the United Nations. Expert seminar on racism, refugees
and multi-ethnic States, Geneva
The World Conference urges Governments to institute routine
monitoring of the situation of marginalized racial and ethnic groups, through periodic
sampling and compilation of statistical information disaggregated by race or ethnic group,
particularly with regard to such fundamental economic and social indicators as infant
mortality rate, life expectancy, literacy rate, level of education, access to employment,
housing and health services, and average disposable income. Special attention should be
paid to research into the impact of racial discrimination on the enjoyment of those
rights, and to the publication of the conclusions. Seminar of experts for Latin America
and Caribbean, Santiago
IV. THE INTERNET
The World Conference draws the attention of States to the
need to coordinate a prompt international response to the rapidly evolving phenomenon of
the dissemination of hate speech and racist material on the Internet. In this respect, it
calls for international judicial cooperation to be strengthened and rapid intervention
mechanisms to be agreed.
The World Conference urges States to apply legislation for
prosecuting those responsible for incitement to racial hatred on the Internet and their
accomplices. It further recommends the training of law enforcement authorities in
addressing the problem of dissemination of racist material through the Internet.
Regional Conference, Strasbourg Cf. Regional Conference, Tehran
The World Conference calls upon States to encourage
Internet service providers to establish and disseminate specific codes of conduct against
the dissemination of racist messages and those that promote racial discrimination,
xenophobia or any form of intolerance and discrimination. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference welcomes the positive contribution the
Internet can bring in combating racism through rapid and wide-reaching communication. It
calls upon States to examine ways in which the Internet can be used systematically, for
example through the creation of a specific site, to provide information about good
practices for combating racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and related
intolerance. It also draws attention to the potential use of the Internet to create
educational and awareness-raising networks against racism and intolerance, both in and out
of school. Regional Conference, Strasbourg
V. THE MEDIA
The World Conference recognizes that media should represent
the diversity of multicultural society. Regional Conference, Strasbourg
The World Conference urges States to prevent, by all
appropriate means, stereotyping of any ethnic, racial, national, cultural and linguistic
group and to encourage objective and balanced portrayals of people, events and history,
especially in the media, recognizing the profound influence that such portrayals have on
societal perception of groups whose members are frequently victims of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Regional Conference, Tehran
The World Conference draws attention to the power of
advertising. In this context, it underlines the usefulness of establishing a code of
conduct in the advertising sector which prohibits discrimination on such grounds as race,
national or ethnic origin and religion. It furthermore considers that advertisers should
also refuse to carry advertising messages which portray cultural, religious or ethnic
difference in a negative manner, including by reinforcing sexist or other stereotypes and
prejudices. Regional Conference, Strasbourg
The World Conference urges the media to recognize the value
of cultural diversity and to take concrete measures to ensure that marginalized
communities have access to the media through, inter alia, the presentation of
programmes that reflect the cultures and languages of minority communities, and to ensure
that members of groups which are victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance are adequately represented at all levels of their organizational
structure. Regional Conference, Santiago
The international media through its relevant associations
and organizations at both regional and international levels should consider the
elaboration of an ethical code of conduct with a view to prohibiting the proliferation of
ideas of racial superiority, justification of racial hatred and discrimination in any form
and promoting respect and tolerance among all peoples and human beings. Regional
Conference, Dakar Cf. Regional Conference, Tehran
VI. racism and poverty
The World Conference urges States to prevent and eliminate,
where they exist, racially discriminatory policies and practices in access to employment
and occupation. Regional Conference, Tehran
The World Conference urges Governments, the private
business sector and international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank, to
promote participation by minority groups in economic and social decision-making at all
stages and levels. Seminar of experts, Warsaw
The World Conference urges States in their national
efforts, and in cooperation with regional and international financial institutions, to
promote the use of public and private investment in order to eradicate poverty,
particularly in those areas in which indigenous populations, people of African descent,
migrants and other ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and linguistic groups or minorities
predominately live. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference invites States to promote and support
the organization and operation of enterprises owned by indigenous people, people of
minority descent, migrants and other ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and linguistic
groups or minorities by favouring access to credits and training programmes. Regional
Conference, Santiago
The World Conference urges States to adopt measures to
provide a proper environment for disadvantaged groups, including action to reduce and
eliminate industrial pollution that affects them disproportionately, to take measures to
clean and redevelop contaminated sites located in or near where they live and, where
appropriate, to relocate, on a voluntary basis and after consultation with those affected,
racially and ethnically disadvantaged groups to other areas when there is no other
practical alternative for ensuring their health and well-being. Regional Conference,
Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
VII. NGO and Youth Activities
The World Conference welcomes the catalytic role that
non-governmental organizations have played in promoting human rights education and
raising awareness about racism. It calls upon States to strengthen cooperation with
non-governmental organizations, harnessing their experience and expertise in developing
governmental legislation, policies and other initiatives. Regional Conference,
Strasbourg
The World Conference calls upon States, in partnership with
non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector, to facilitate an
international youth dialogue on
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance, through the World Youth Forum of the United Nations system and through
the use of new technologies, exchanges and other means. Regional Conference, Santiago
By virtue of their independent status, non-governmental
organizations, individually and collectively, have an important contribution to make.
Through various activities sponsored by them, non-governmental organizations can be
effective in identifying and publicizing areas of racial discrimination which otherwise
may not come to light, and in helping to create greater practical understanding among
young people of the importance of actively combating all forms of discrimination, in their
own countries as well as in the international community.
Non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to
create and sustain awareness among their members and in society at large regarding the
evils of racism and racial discrimination. Such awareness can be transmitted from a nation
to an international organization with all the added benefits of the concrete experience of
a particular country. Governments should therefore ensure that non-governmental
organizations are enabled to function freely and openly within their societies and thereby
make an effective contribution to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination
throughout the world. WCR 2
VIII. Women
The World Conference recommends that special emphasis be
put on gender issues and gender discrimination, particularly the multiple jeopardy that
occurs when gender, class, race and ethnicity intersect. Human rights treaty bodies, in
particular the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Committee
on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the Rights
of the Child, should pay special attention to this area when examining periodic reports of
States parties that are countries of origin and/or destination of migrants. Asia-Pacific
seminar of experts, Bangkok
The World Conference underlines the importance of
integrating a gender perspective in all actions and policies against racism, xenophobia
and related intolerance and of empowering women belonging to targeted groups to demand
respect for their rights in all spheres of public and private life and play an active role
in the design and implementation of policies and measures which affect their lives. Regional
Conference, Strasbourg Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
The World Conference considers that racism, racial
discrimination and xenophobia manifest themselves in a differentiated manner for women,
causing their living conditions to deteriorate, generating multiple forms of violence, and
limiting or denying them the benefit and exercise of their human rights. Regional
Conference, Santiago
The World Conference urges States to involve women in
decision-making at all levels when working towards the eradication of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference requests States to adopt public
policies and give impetus to programmes on behalf of indigenous women, with a view to
promoting their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights; to putting an
end to their situation of disadvantage for reasons of gender; to dealing with urgent
problems affecting them, in education and in the economy and in the matter of
domestic violence; and to ending the situation of aggravated discrimination they
suffer as women in manifestations of racism and gender discrimination. Regional
Conference, Santiago
IX. Children
The World Conference observes with concern the large number
of children, especially girls, and young people among the victims of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It notes the need to consider these
situations of discrimination when designing strategies and programmes for, inter alia:
(a) abandoned children; (b) children who live or work in the street; (c) child
victims of trafficking and economic exploitation; (d) sexually exploited
children, (e) children affected by armed conflict; and (f) child victims of poverty.
Regional Conference, Santiago
Governments should collect better statistical data and
analyse them in order to identify how legislation and policy affect children’s lives,
ensuring that any data collected on ethnicity, nationality, religion, descent, etc. will
not be misused. International Save the Children Alliance
The World Conference stresses the need to incorporate the
principle of the best interests of the child in programmes against racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in order to give priority attention to
the situation of children and young people who are victims of these practices. Regional
Conference, Santiago
The World Conference requests States and international
organizations to provide protection against acts of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance against children, particularly those who find
themselves in circumstances of particular vulnerability. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference recognizes with deep concern the
increase in anti-Semitism and hostile acts against Jews in various parts of the world, as
well as the emergence of racial and violent movements based on racism and discriminatory
ideas concerning the Jewish community.
The World Conference also recognizes with deep concern the
existence of Islamophobia and hostile acts and violence against Arabs which are evidenced
in various parts of the world.
The World Conference also recognizes with deep concern the
existence of religious intolerance against other religious communities, as well as the
emergence of hostile acts and violence against such communities because of their religious
beliefs and their racial or ethnic origin in various parts of the world. Cf. Regional
Conference, Santiago
X. Disadvantaged Groups - General
The World Conference urges States to collect, compile and
disseminate data on the situation of groups which are victims of discrimination, providing
information on the composition of their populations according to race, colour,
nationality, ethnicity, sex, age and other factors, as appropriate, for, inter alia,
the development and evaluation of policies with respect to human rights, including those
against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and to share
experiences and successful practices with other States.
The World Conference urges States to ensure that
institutions responsible for providing statistical information on the population take
explicit account of the existence of indigenous people, people of varying descent and
other ethnic groups, capturing the component parts of their diversity according to their
needs and characteristics, designing strategies to evaluate the human rights policies
concerning ethnic groups and exchanging experiences and practices with other States. To
that end, it recommends the development of participatory strategies for these communities
in the processes of collecting and using information.
The World Conference urges States to establish, on the
basis of existing statistical information, national programmes, including affirmative
action measures, to promote the access of indigenous people, people of varying descent,
migrants and other ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and linguistic groups or minorities
to education, medical care and basic social services.
The World Conference urges States to take measures to
eliminate disparities in health status experienced by disadvantaged racial and ethnic
groups by the year 2010, including disparities in infant mortality, childhood
immunization, and the incidence of diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer. Regional
Conference, Santiago
XI. Migration and Trafficking
The World Conference encourages all States to develop
national laws that deal with trafficking in persons, and to allocate resources to ensure
law enforcement and the creation of adequate judicial institutions to deal with
trafficking cases. States should be further encouraged to create inter-ministerial task
forces or national focal points to combat trafficking in persons.
The World Conference recommends that further studies be
conducted on how racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are
reflected in laws, policies, institutions and practices and how this has contributed to
the vulnerability, victimization and exclusion of migrants, especially women and children.
The World Conference calls for studies to address the
effects of economic globalization on migration trends and the resurgence of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Seminar of experts, Bangkok
The World Conference recommends the training of immigration
officials, border police and staff of migrant detention centres in human rights,
especially the human rights of migrants, in order to avoid situations where prejudices
lead to decisions based on. and acts of, racism, xenophobia and discrimination. Seminar
of experts for Latin America and Caribbean, Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
The World Conference encourages those Member States that
have not yet done so to enact and implement, as appropriate, laws against trafficking in
and smuggling of migrants, and to take into account, in particular, practices that
endanger their lives or lead to various kinds of servitude and exploitation, such as debt
bondage, slavery and sexual or labour exploitation, and to reinforce bilateral, regional
and international cooperation to combat this traffic. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference urges States to take special measures
to ensure that every child, woman and man is registered and issued with legal identity
documents to reduce the incidence of statelessness and trafficking. This preventive
measure would protect individuals and gain them access to available legal procedures and
remedies and development opportunities.
States should encourage the business sector, in particular
the tourist industry and Internet providers, to develop codes of conduct with a view to
protecting trafficked persons, especially those in prostitution, against gender-based and
racial discrimination and promoting their rights, dignity and security. States should
encourage the establishment of independent civil society committees to monitor compliance
with such codes of conduct.
The World Conference encourages all States to develop
bilateral and cross-border cooperation to eliminate trafficking in persons.
The World Conference recommends that the General Assembly
declare a United Nations Year or Decade against Trafficking in Persons, especially in
Women and Children. Asia-Pacific seminar of experts, Bangkok
XII. ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY
DISPLACED PERSONS
States should take seriously their humanitarian
obligations, without discriminating between the different regions of the world, with
regard to the principles of international cooperation, burden-sharing and the resettlement
of refugees in their countries. Regional Conference, Dakar
The World Conference urges States to recognize the
different barriers that refugees and immigrants face as they endeavour to participate in
the economic, social, political and cultural life of their countries and encourages States
to develop strategies to facilitate the long-term integration of these persons into their
new countries of residence and the full enjoyment by them of their human rights. Regional
Conference, Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
Special attention should be given to the violations of the
human rights of refugees in refugee camps and detention centres. In these places, women
and girls who are bereft of effective protection often face particular problems. Under
these circumstances, women and girls are often subjected to sexual or other assaults. Expert
seminar on remedies, Geneva
The World Conference urges States to apply the Guiding
Principles on Internal Displacement, particularly those provisions relating to
non-discrimination, where applicable. Regional Conference, Santiago
XIII. Minorities
The World Conference notes that there are a number of
concepts of cultural and territorial autonomy that constitute ways to preserve and promote
the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of a national minority that are in
line with the principles and norms of international law.
Greater emphasis should be placed on teaching the history
of national and ethnic minorities and of the history of neighbouring countries. Seminar
of experts, Warsaw
Governments should create favourable conditions and take
measures that will enable persons belonging to national or ethnic minorities within their
jurisdiction to express their characteristics freely and to develop their education,
culture, language, traditions and customs and to participate on a non-discriminatory and
equitable basis in the cultural, social, economic and political life of the country in
which they live. In maintaining their culture and traditions such persons should be in a
position to develop the necessary contacts inside and outside their
country with due respect for the sovereignty, territorial
integrity, the principle of non-interference by one State in the internal affairs of
another State, and the political independence of the States concerned. WCR 2
The World Conference recommends that the United Nations
elaborate an international instrument of a binding character defining the rights and
obligations of persons belonging to minorities. Expert seminar on racism, refugees and
multi-ethnic States, Geneva
XIV. Romas
The World Conference underlines the necessity for States to
pay particular attention to and adopt immediate and concrete measures to eradicate the
widespread discrimination and persecution targeting Roma, Gypsies, Sinti and Travellers,
including through the establishment of structures and processes, in partnership between
the public authorities and representatives of the Roma, Gypsies, Sinti and Travellers. Regional
Conference, Strasbourg
The World Conference encourages Governments to cooperate
more constructively with the leaders of Roma organizations in their countries so that the
needs of the Roma can be identified and priorities established.
Government efforts to design policies aimed at combating
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance should be based on reliable
statistical data and other quantitative information reflecting as accurately as possible
the status of the Roma in society. Such information should be collected in accordance with
human rights principles and in consultation with the persons concerned, and protected
against abuse through data protection and privacy guarantees.
The World Conference calls for intensified efforts at
educating the public about the extent of anti-Roma racism, and about the contributions of
Roma culture and history.
The World Conference calls upon States to ensure that Roma
children are provided equal access to quality education as formulated in the
recommendations of the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe entitled Report on the Situation of Roma and Sinti in
the OSCE Area, 2000, and by the Specialist Groups on Roma/Gypsies of the Council of
Europe. Governments should develop dedicated policies and programmes with the input of
parents and schools. These might include opportunities to learn the official language in
pre-school, recruitment of Roma teachers and classroom assistants, and
opportunities to learn in their mother tongue as guaranteed
by article 4, paragraph 3, of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to
National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities of 1992. Seminar of experts,
Warsaw
XV. Indigenous Issues
The World Conference urges States to adopt all necessary
measures to ensure the full enjoyment by indigenous peoples of their rights, on the
basis of equality and non-discrimination, including their full and free participation in
all areas of society, in particular in matters affecting or concerning their interests,
and to promote better knowledge of and respect for indigenous cultures and heritage.
The World Conference urges States to officially recognize
the identity and rights of indigenous people and to adopt, in agreement with them, the
administrative, legislative and judicial measures necessary to promote, protect and
guarantee the exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The World Conference calls upon States to conclude
negotiations and approve as soon as possible the text of the draft United Nations
declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, under discussion in the Working Group on
Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference recommends the convening of an
international conference on indigenous people at the end of the International Decade of
the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004). Seminar of experts for Latin
America and Caribbean, Santiago
The establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues within the United Nations system represents an important recognition of the
particular needs of indigenous people and should serve to ensure that indigenous issues
relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health
and human rights are more effectively addressed.
XVI. Remedies
The World Conference affirms that the establishment of more
effective measures against racial discrimination should include recognition of the need
for a package of preventive and deterrent measures. Cultural change to be achieved through
educational programmes must be in the forefront of preventive measures but deterrent
measures are equally essential, for example: (a) adoption of a law against racial
discrimination and its incorporation into national legislation; such a law could be
modelled on United Nations publication HR/PUB/96/2; (b) extension of legislative measures
prohibiting racial discrimination in all areas of the public and private sectors,
including employment, training, education, housing, provision of goods and services,
immigration policy, the administration of justice, and law and order; (c) enactment of
legislation providing for adequate civil compensation of victims of racial discrimination.
Provision should be made for rehabilitation of the perpetrators and victims of racism by
means of truth commissions, apologies, and the establishment of victims’ compensation
and reparation funds, as appropriate.
States are urged, with regard to the procedural remedies
provided for in their domestic law, to bear in mind the following considerations: (a)
access to such remedies should be as wide as possible; (b) the existing procedural
remedies must be made known in the context of the relevant action, and victims of racial
discrimination should be helped to avail themselves of them in accordance with the
particular case; (c) complaints of racial discrimination must be settled as rapidly as
possible, a reasonable time-limit being set for the relevant inquiries; (d) indigent
persons who are victims of racial discrimination should receive free legal assistance and
aid in the complaint proceedings and, where necessary, provided with the help of an
interpreter in civil and criminal cases; (e) States should be urged to create national
bodies competent to investigate allegations of racial discrimination; (f) steps should be
taken towards the enactment of legislation to penalize discriminatory practices on grounds
of race or ethnic origin and provide for adequate compensation of the victims; (g) access
to legal remedies should be facilitated for victims of discrimination and the legal
capacity of non-governmental institutions or organizations to intervene on their behalf
should be recognized by means of legislative reforms; programmes to enable the most
vulnerable groups to have access to the legal system should be prepared. Seminar of
experts for Latin America and Caribbean, Santiago
The World Conference urges States to work with law
enforcement agencies in designing, implementing and enforcing effective programmes to
prevent, detect and ensure accountability for incidents of police misconduct motivated by
race or ethnic origin, to prosecute such police misconduct and to eliminate "racial
profiling" by law enforcement officials.
The World Conference urges States to provide appropriate
assistance to victims of hate crimes and public education to prevent future incidents. It
urges States to give special attention, when promoting and implementing legislative and
judicial policies designed to give workers adequate protection, to the serious situation
of lack of protection and, in some cases, the exploitation of groups vulnerable to racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, a situation that allows or
facilitates confinement, as in the case of domestic workers and dangerous and badly paid
jobs.
The World Conference urges States to avoid the negative
effects of discriminatory practices, racism and xenophobia in employment and occupation by
promoting the application and observance of international instruments and norms on
workers’ rights, including the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work of the International Labour Organization. It also urges States to continue their
efforts to protect the rights of workers who are particularly vulnerable to racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The World Conference urges States to design, promote and
implement effective legislative and administrative policies against the serious situation
experienced by certain groups of workers who are vulnerable to racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including persons involved in
prostitution and others who may be exploited or victims of illegal trafficking.
The World Conference invites States to consider reforms to
their systems for the administration of justice in order to provide free legal assistance,
where appropriate, to victims of
discrimination so that legal action can be initiated to
permit the prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators of such acts. Regional
Conference, Santiago Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
The World Conference urges States to adopt the necessary
measures to ensure the rights of victims, in particular the right to an effective judicial
remedy and to prompt, adequate and fair reparation for acts of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and effective measures designed to
prevent the resurgence of such acts. In this regard, the World Conference invites the
Commission on Human Rights to consider the suggestion put forward at the African Regional
Conference with regard to a possible international compensation scheme and a development
reparation fund. Cf. Regional Conference, Dakar
XVII. Impunity
The World Conference urges States to adopt effective
measures to combat acts motivated by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance, to prevent these crimes from going unpunished and to ensure the rule of law.
Regional Conference, Santiago
Noting that impunity for the violation of human rights and
international humanitarian law is a serious obstacle to political stability and
sustainable development, the World Conference urges States to ratify the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court. Seminar of experts, Addis Ababa
XVIII. Regional Activities
The World Conference calls upon States, as appropriate, to
promote:
(a) Effective legal and judicial cooperation at the
regional and international levels in combating racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia to
prevent the perpetrators of racist and xenophobic acts from benefiting from the fact that
offences are treated differently in various States;
(b) Exchanges at the regional and international levels
among national independent specialized bodies and other relevant independent bodies with a
mandate to monitor racism and racial discrimination;
(c) Exchanges at the regional and international levels
among educational authorities and others involved in developing curricula incorporating
anti-racist and intercultural education;
(d) The building of networks for monitoring and
information-sharing, including an inventory of foundations, organizations and networks
fighting racism. Regional Conference, Strasbourg
The World Conference recommends the establishment of
regional centres for monitoring the situation of minorities to help identify trends and
problems, disseminate information and develop solutions where possible, through joint
efforts by the United Nations, regional organizations and Member States. Seminar
of experts, Warsaw
XIX. Measures at the international level
Ratification and implementation of international norms
The World Conference urges States that have not yet done so
to consider ratifying or acceding to the international human rights instruments which
condemn and combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and,
in particular, to ratify or accede to the International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as soon as possible, with a view to achieving
universal ratification of the Convention by the year 2005. Regional
Conference, Santiago
Recognizing the importance of the gender dimension of
racial discrimination, the World Conference also urges all States that have not yet done
so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women as soon as possible with a view to achieving universal
ratification within five years.
The World Conference calls upon all States to consider, as
a matter of priority, signing and ratifying of the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, or acceding
to this instrument. Regional Conference, Santiago
The World Conference calls upon States to ratify
international standards that prohibit discrimination in employment and occupation, in
particular the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) of
the International Labour Organization, and to apply the Declaration on Fundamental
Principles and Rights at Work of the International Labour Organization of 1998.
The World Conference calls upon all States to ratify the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families and the Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No.
97) and the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143) of the
International Labour Organization, and to prohibit and prevent discriminatory treatment
against foreigners and migrants workers, inter alia concerning the granting of
visas, work permits, family conditions, housing and access to justice, based on race,
colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
The World Conference recognizes that child labour
perpetuates poverty and inequality along racial lines by disproportionately denying
children from affected groups the opportunity to acquire the human capabilities needed in
productive life and to benefit from economic growth. The World Conference calls upon
States to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Worst Forms of Child
labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) of the International Labour Organization.
The World Conference calls upon States to ratify existing
international standards which prohibit discrimination against indigenous people, including
the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) of the International Labour
Organization. ILO
The World Conference calls upon States to ratify the
Convention against Discrimination in Education, adopted by the General Conference of the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The World Conference:
(a) Urges States to take the necessary measures to ensure
respect for their obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly those
relating to discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic
origin;
(b) Urges States that have not yet done so to consider
acceding, as a matter of urgency and without reservations, to the Geneva Conventions on
the protection of victims of war of 12 August 1949 and the two Additional Protocols
thereto of 1977, as well as to other treaties of international humanitarian law and
to enact, with priority, appropriate legislation, taking the measures required to give
full effect to their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular in
relation to the rules prohibiting discrimination. Regional Conference, Santiago
International activities
The World Conference:
(a) Requests the Commission on Human Rights to include in
the mandates of all its special procedures a request to report on problems relating to
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
(b) Calls upon Governments to cooperate with the
appropriate special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights and other mechanisms of
the United Nations in matters pertaining to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance, in particular with the Special Rapporteurs and independent experts on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
religious intolerance, freedom of opinion and expression, human rights of migrants,
violence against women, extreme poverty, and the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, and with the Working Groups
of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on Indigenous
Populations, Minorities and Contemporary Forms of Slavery. Regional Conference,
Santiago
The World Conference calls upon the international financial
institutions, including the World Bank, and regional financial institutions and banks to
further integrate human rights principles and norms into their policies and programmes.
The World Conference also reminds Governments of their obligations under the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to promote economic, social and cultural
rights through international cooperation and development. Seminar of experts,
Addis Ababa
The World Conference recommends that the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights organize a database that can be
consulted via the Internet containing information on the struggle against racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, particularly in relation to
international and regional instruments and national legislation; educational and
preventive programmes implemented in various countries and regions; opportunities for
technical cooperation; and academic studies and specialized documents. Regional
Conference, Santiago
The United Nations should prepare and publicize a
systematic collection of national anti-discrimination legislation, in particular with a
view to informing those in authority and the public at large of legal means to combat
racial discrimination in private relationships, including any available legal and other
remedies. Expert seminar on remedies, Geneva
The World Conference invites the United Nations
Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit to the General
Assembly at its forthcoming session an action plan to increase resources for the
activities of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and for the
establishment, within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, of a unit
devoted to the promotion of equality and non-discrimination.
In reviewing the political, historical, economic, social,
cultural and other factors leading to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance, the World Conference recalls the pioneering study Racial
Discrimination by Hernán Santa Cruz, Special Rapporteur of
the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities, and calls upon the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights to update and disseminate it widely.
The World Conference recommends:
(a) The establishment of a follow-up mechanism headed by
the Chairperson of the World Conference, composed of five eminent persons from the
different regions, appointed by the Secretary-General after due consultation with all
regions. This mechanism will function in consultation with the High Commissioner for Human
Rights, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Special
Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance. This mechanism would be entrusted with the supervision of the implementation
of the Declaration and Programme of Action to be adopted by the World Conference and
to submit an annual report to the United Nations General Assembly;
(b) The establishment of an international mechanism to
monitor racially discriminatory attitudes and acts, individual or collective, private or
public, including by non-State actors, charged with the following tasks:
- The compilation of information about racial acts and their
development;
- The creation of a Web site by a coalition of
non-governmental organizations working in the field of combating racism, in collaboration
with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to receive and disseminate such
information to the widest possible extent;
- The provision of legal and administrative support and advice
to victims of racial acts;
- The preparation of an annual report on its activities to be
submitted to the Secretary-General;
(c) The dissemination by the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights in the most accessible manner, through its Web site and
other appropriate means, of all the remedies available through international mechanisms to
victims of racial discrimination, as well as the national remedies, hopefully enhanced and
progressively developed in implementation of the Programme of Action to be adopted by the
World Conference.
Regional Conference, Dakar
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