A/RES/64/156
Underlining, in this regard, the importance of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa,
from 31 August to 8 September 2001 7 and the outcome document of the Durban
Review Conference, held in Geneva from 20 to 24 April 2009, 8 welcoming the
progress achieved in implementing them, and emphasizing that they constitute a
solid foundation for the elimination of the scourges and all manifestations of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
6F
7F
Expressing serious concern at the increase in racist violence and xenophobic
ideas in many parts of the world, in political circles, in the sphere of public opinion
and in society at large, as a result, inter alia, of the resurgence of activities of
political parties and associations established on the basis of racist, xenophobic and
ideological superiority platforms and charters, and the persistent use of those
platforms and charters to promote or incite racist ideologies,
Deeply alarmed at the rising trends towards discrimination based on religion
or belief, including in some national policies, laws and administrative measures that
stigmatize groups of people belonging to certain religions and beliefs under a
variety of pretexts relating to security and irregular immigration, thereby
legitimizing discrimination against them and consequently impairing their
enjoyment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and impeding
their ability to observe, practise and manifest their religion freely and without fear
of coercion, violence or reprisal,
Noting with deep concern the serious instances of intolerance, discrimination
and acts of violence based on religion or belief, intimidation and coercion motivated
by extremism, religious or otherwise, occurring in many parts of the world, in
addition to the negative projection of certain religions in the media and the
introduction and enforcement of laws and administrative measures that specifically
discriminate against and target persons with certain ethnic and religious
backgrounds, particularly Muslim minorities following the events of 11 September
2001, and that threaten to impede their full enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms,
Stressing that defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity
leading to the illicit restriction of the freedom of religion of their adherents and
incitement to religious hatred and violence,
Stressing also the need to effectively combat defamation of all religions, and
incitement to religious hatred in general,
Reaffirming that discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief constitutes
a violation of human rights and a disavowal of the principles of the Charter,
Noting with concern that defamation of religions, and incitement to religious
hatred in general, could lead to social disharmony and violations of human rights,
and alarmed at the inaction of some States to combat this burgeoning trend and the
resulting discriminatory practices against adherents of certain religions,
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7
8
2
See A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1, chap. I.
See A/CONF.211/8, chap. I.