A/HRC/RES/54/27
human history, and constitutes a holistic call to action that encompasses measures to deliver
remedies to victims-survivors of racism, to strengthen education and awareness-raising, to
fight poverty and marginalization and to secure inclusive sustainable development,
Noting with concern that the lack of public knowledge about the content of the Durban
Declaration and Programme of Action has constituted a serious obstacle in generating
political will for its full and effective implementation,
Recognizing that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
have a deep negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights, and therefore require a united
and comprehensive response from States,
Recalling that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are
manifested on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, and that
victims-survivors can suffer from multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination based on
other related grounds, such as sex, language, religion, disability, political or other opinion,
social origin, property, birth or other status, and in this regard recalling also that it is essential
that integrated, intersecting and holistic approaches be adopted to ensure the effectiveness of
policies and other measures against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance,
Recognizing the importance of the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action, and emphasizing the need to streamline and enhance the effectiveness
of existing follow-up mechanisms, and to increase public awareness of and support for it,
Noting the efforts made at the international, regional and national levels, welcoming
the progress made since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in
the implementation of its provisions, and welcoming also all the positive steps and successful
initiatives taken by States towards its effective and full implementation, including
constitutional and legislative reforms, the adoption of national action plans and other national
policies and measures, participation in and support for its follow-up mechanisms, the
mainstreaming of racial equality in international forums and the promotion of regional,
international and multi-stakeholder initiatives in matters relating to the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action,
Recalling all previous Human Rights Council resolutions on the comprehensive
follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action, and the International Decade for People of African Descent,
Acknowledging with deep concern that many years later, notwithstanding the adoption
of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action years ago and the concerted efforts of
the international community, many people around the world, including Africans and people
of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, migrants, refugees and persons
belonging to other racial, ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities continue to be confronted
by racism, racial discrimination, hate speech, targeted violence, xenophobia and other related
intolerance, which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic,
Recognizing that the design and use of emerging digital technologies, while offering
new opportunities in the global campaign against all forms of racism and racial
discrimination, can exacerbate and compound existing inequalities, many of which exist on
racial, ethnic and national origin grounds, and that the prevalence of emerging digital
technologies in determining everyday outcomes in employment, education, health care and
criminal justice, which introduces the risk of systemized discrimination on an unprecedented
scale, is a major concern,
Underlining the importance of removing legal obstacles and eliminating
discriminatory practices that hamper individuals, including Africans and people of African
descent, from participating fully in the public and political life of the countries in which they
live, including the lack of the exercise of their full citizenship rights,
Noting the efforts made by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective
Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and also those made
by the other Durban follow-up mechanisms, namely the Ad Hoc Committee on the
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