United Nations
International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms
of Racial Discrimination
CERD/C/GC/35
Distr.: General
26 September 2013
Original: English
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
General recommendation No. 35
Combating racist hate speech*
I. Introduction
1.
At its eightieth session, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
(the Committee) decided to hold a thematic discussion on racist hate speech during its
eighty-first session. The discussion took place on 28 August 2012 and focused on
understanding the causes and consequences of racist hate speech, and how the resources of
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (the
Convention) may be mobilized to combat it. Participants in the discussion included, in
addition to members of the Committee, representatives from permanent missions to the
United Nations Office in Geneva, national human rights institutions, non-governmental
organizations, academics and interested individuals.
2.
Following the discussion, the Committee expressed its intention to work on drafting a
general recommendation to provide guidance on the requirements of the Convention in the
area of racist hate speech in order to assist States parties in discharging their obligations,
including reporting obligations. The present general recommendation is of relevance to all
stakeholders in the fight against racial discrimination, and seeks to contribute to the promotion
of understanding, lasting peace and security among communities, peoples and States.
Approach adopted
3.
In drafting the recommendation, the Committee has taken account of its extensive
practice in combating racist hate speech, concern about which has engaged the full span of
procedures under the Convention. The Committee has also underlined the role of racist hate
speech in processes leading to mass violations of human rights and genocide, and in
conflict situations. Key general recommendations of the Committee that address hate
speech include general recommendations No. 7 (1985) relating to the implementation of
article 4;1 No. 15 (1993) on article 4, which stressed the compatibility between article 4 and
* Adopted by the Committee at its eighty-third session (12–30 August 2013).
1
GE.13-47138
Official Records of the General Assembly, Fortieth Session, Supplement No. 18 (A/40/18), chap. VII,
sect. B.