A/RES/72/157
A global call for concrete action for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation
of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
through cooperation, partnership and inclusion,
Alarmed at the spread in many parts of the world of various racist extremist
movements based on ideologies that seek to promote populist, nationalist, right -wing
agendas and racial superiority, and stressing that these practices fuel racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Deploring the ongoing and resurgent scourges of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance in many regions of the world, particularly
targeting migrants and refugees, as well as people of African descent, expressing
concern that political leaders and parties have supported such an environment, and in
this context expressing its support for migrants and refugees in the context of the
severe discrimination that they may face,
Recalling the three Decades for Action to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination previously declared by the General Assembly, and regretting that the
Programmes of Action for those Decades were not fully implemented and that their
objectives have yet to be attained,
Reiterating that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights
and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well -being
of their societies, and that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false,
morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together
with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races,
Underlining the intensity, magnitude and organized nature of slavery and the
slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and the associated hist orical
injustices, as well as the untold suffering caused by colonialism and apartheid, and
that Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent and
indigenous peoples continue to be victims, and acknowledging that the ongoing
effects must be remedied,
Acknowledging the efforts and initiatives undertaken by States to prohibit racial
discrimination and racial segregation and to engender the full enjoyment of economic,
social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rig hts,
Emphasizing that, despite efforts in this regard, millions of human beings
continue to be victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance, including their contemporary forms and manifestations, some of which
manifest in violent forms,
Welcoming the efforts made by civil society in support of the follow-up
mechanisms in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action,
Recalling the appointment of the five independent eminent experts by the
Secretary-General on 16 June 2003, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 56/266
of 27 March 2002, with the mandate to follow up on the implementation of the
provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to make
appropriate recommendations thereon, and in this regard taking note with
appreciation of the role played, and noting the role still to be played, by those
independent eminent experts in mobilizing global political will for concrete action
for the total elimination of all the scourges of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance,
Underlining the primacy of the political will, international cooperation and
adequate funding at the national, regional and international levels needed to address
all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
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