A/RES/56/267
the basis of racist and xenophobic platforms and charters, and the persistent use of
those platforms and charters to promote or incite racist ideologies,
Emphasizing that remembering the crimes and wrongs of the past, wherever
and whenever they occurred, unequivocally condemning its racist tragedies and
telling the truth about history are essential elements for international reconciliation
and the creation of societies based on justice, equality and solidarity,
Deeply concerned that those advocating racism and racial discrimination
misuse new communication technologies, including the Internet, to disseminate their
repugnant views,
Noting that the use of such technologies can also contribute to combating
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Conscious of the fundamental difference between, on the one hand, racism and
racial discrimination as governmental policy or resulting from official doctrines of
racial superiority or exclusivity and, on the other hand, other manifestations of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that are
increasingly visible in segments of many societies and are perpetrated by
individuals or groups, some of which manifestations are directed against migrant
workers and members of their families,
Reaffirming the responsibility of Governments for safeguarding and protecting
the rights of individuals within their jurisdiction against crimes perpetrated by racist
or xenophobic individuals or groups,
Recognizing both the challenges and the opportunities in combating racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in an increasingly
globalized world,
Noting with concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance may be aggravated by, inter alia, inequitable distribution of wealth,
marginalization and social exclusion,
Deeply concerned that racism and racial discrimination against migrant
workers still persist despite the efforts undertaken by the international community to
protect the human rights of migrant workers and members of their families,
Noting that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in its
general recommendation XV (42) of 17 March 1993 4 concerning article 4 of the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,5
holds that the prohibition of the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or
racial hatred is compatible with the right to freedom of opinion and expression as
outlined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 6 and in article 5
of the Convention,
Affirming that universal adherence to and full implementation of the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
are of paramount importance for promoting equality and non-discrimination in the
world,
_______________
4
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 18 (A/48/18),
chap. VIII, sect. B.
5
Resolution 2106 A (XX), annex.
6
Resolution 217 A (III).
2