A/HRC/RES/36/24
Noting with appreciation the annual observance in Geneva of the International Day
of Remembrance of the Victims of Transatlantic Slavery and the Slave Trade, and the
support expressed at its commemoration in 2017 for the establishment at the United Nations
Office at Geneva of a memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade,
1.
Underscores the importance of political will and commitment to eliminate all
forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
2.
Underlines the imperative need for the full and effective implementation of
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as the only instructive outcome
document of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia
and Related Intolerance for the combating of all the scourges of racism, including its
contemporary and resurgent forms, some of which have regrettably taken violent forms;
3.
Alarmed at the resurgent violent manifestations of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance precipitated by scientifically false,
morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous ideologies, such as white supremacy,
as well as by extremist nationalist and populist ideologies, and underlines in this respect
that human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone has the
right to life, liberty and security of person;
4.
Encourages States to make the requisite declaration in accordance with
article 14 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination recognizing the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination to receive and consider communications from individuals or groups of
individuals within their jurisdiction under its complaints procedure;
5.
Welcomes paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 71/181 of 19
December 2016, and to this end directs the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of
Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Racial Discrimination to commence, at its tenth session, its elaboration of a draft
additional protocol to the Convention criminalizing acts of a racist and xenophobic nature;
6.
Deplores the ongoing use of social media platforms to incite hatred and
violence against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and calls upon States to prohibit by
law any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence, including that propagated by information and
communications technology;
7.
Reiterates that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful
assembly should not be exercised with the aim of destroying or denying the rights and
freedoms of others, and not be misused to promote racist hate speech and racist crimes;
8.
Calls upon all States that have not yet done so, and consistent with paragraph
75 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, to consider withdrawing their
reservations on article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination and on articles 18, 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights;
9.
Welcomes the convening of regional meetings organized by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to effectively implement the
programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent,
encourages Member States and other stakeholders to adopt action-orientated
recommendations at these meetings, and calls upon States, regional organizations and other
stakeholders to facilitate the participation of civil society from their respective countries
and regions in the meetings;
2