Distinguished President,
Excellencies,
I am honoured to join you today to celebrate the voices of the people who stand up against racism – millions of people around the world who have decided to stand up for our fundamental, and universal, equality and rights.
Despite considerable efforts – and some progress – millions of Africans and people of African descent; Asians and people of Asian descent; indigenous peoples; national, ethnic and linguistic minorities; religious communities; and migrants continue to be confronted by racism, racial discrimination, inequality and exclusion. Racism still permeates social structures and institutions in every region of the world.
The impact of racism on people’s human rights is far-reaching. From people seeking refuge from conflict – as we saw recently on the borders of Ukraine – to children attending school; people in need of health-care; job-seekers and many others – my Office has observed multiple manifestations of racism in every aspect of people’s lives.
Digital tools often enhance these profoundly negative phenomena. For instance, algorithms embedded in internet searches often reinforce negative racial stereotypes and biases. Facial recognition – which is often used for surveillance purposes – can be a source of discrimination, and may reinforce discriminatory practices against minority communities especially by law enforcement.
The banning of certain books, especially books about racial identity, from school curricula and school libraries also constitutes an assault against the right to education and efforts to recognise and combat past legacies of harm.
The Four-point Agenda Towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality that I presented to the Human Rights Council in July 2021 points out that systemic racism requires a systemic response, and can only be dismantled through vigorous and comprehensive reforms.
At the international level, this effort should be guided by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and several other important instruments, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ensuring the meaningful and effective participation and representation of all communities at all levels of State institutions and decision-making processes is also fundamental. In this context, I welcome this year’s thematic focus of “Voices for action against racism”. Acknowledging the people who face and stand up against racism – and actively responding to their concerns – is essential to achieving progress.
We must protect the civic space and safety of those who face and stand up against racism. Their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in particular must be safeguarded as they often constitute the only way they can impart change.
I also want to emphasise that all politicians and authorities bear a special responsibility to refrain from, prevent and confront incitement to hatred and discrimination.
Serious discussions on the legacies of enslavement and colonialism must continue and lead to reparatory justice. Only when we fully acknowledge the burdens created by past harms will we be able to move forward and achieve real and sustainable change.
Racism is an assault on human dignity, and on everything the United Nations stands for. Today – and every day – I stand in solidarity with all victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. I ask all of you to act with me, to end this deep injustice.
Thank you.
Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Other Statements
EVENTS
Debate in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022
Monday, 28 March 2022.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CET.
Palais des Nations, UN Geneva
The panel discussion will gather speakers who are known for their active role in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and who are from diverse backgrounds. They will share their experiences and will advocate in favour of listening to those who face racial discrimination.
CAMPAIGN
We need everyone’s voice for action against racism. Join us to spread the word for racial justice and equality. Show support for #FightRacism by sharing your picture w/ our “I Stand Up To Racism” filter on social media using: #FightRacism, #StandUp4HumanRights 
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