Measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/12

The Commission on Human Rights, Reaffirming its resolution 1994/64 of 9 March 1994, Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/147 of 23 December 1994, Mindful of General Assembly resolution 45/105 of 14 December 1990, in which the Assembly declared once again that all forms of racism and racial discrimination, particularly in their institutionalized form, such as apartheid, or resulting from official doctrines of racial superiority or exclusivity, were among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world and must be combated by all available means, Bearing in mind the outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, and, in particular, the attention given in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23) to the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance, Taking note of resolution 1994/2 of 12 August 1994 of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, and in particular the recommendation contained therein, Aware that racism, being one of the exclusionist phenomena plaguing many societies, requires resolute action and cooperation for its eradication, Mindful of the report of the Secretary-General on measures to combat racism and racial discrimination, submitted to the Subcommission at its forty-fourth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1992/11), Having examined the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (E/CN.4/1995/78 and Add.1), Deeply concerned that, despite efforts, racism, racial discrimination, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as acts of racial violence, continue to persist and even grow in magnitude, incessantly adopting new forms, Conscious of the fundamental difference between, on the one hand, racism and racial discrimination as an institutionalized 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 taking place in segments of many societies and perpetrated by individuals or groups, some of which are directed against migrant workers, Underlining the importance of eliminating the growing manifestations of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia taking place in segments of many societies and of creating conditions to foster greater harmony and tolerance within societies,

1. Takes note of the recommendation of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities relating to the possible convening of a world conference against racism, racial and ethnic discrimination, xenophobia and other related contemporary forms of intolerance;

2. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

3. Expresses its support for the work of the Special Rapporteur and for its continuation;

4. Expresses its profound concern at and unequivocal condemnation of all forms of racism and all racist violence, including related acts of random and indiscriminate violence;

5. Expresses its deep concern at and condemnation of manifestations of racism, xenophobia and racial discrimination against migrant workers and other vulnerable groups in many societies;

6. Supports the efforts of Governments in taking measures aimed at the eradication of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

7. Appeals to Governments to further the measures they are taking in this respect by making efforts to harmonize their relevant domestic legislation, introducing, where necessary, effective means of enabling racist motivations to be taken into account when sentencing, and promoting international cooperation against racist groups at the international, regional and bilateral levels;

8. Requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to examine in accordance with his mandate incidents of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, any form of discrimination against Blacks, Arabs and Muslims, xenophobia, negrophobia, anti-Semitism and related intolerance, as well as governmental measures to overcome them, and to report on these matters to the Commission at its fifty-second session;

9. Also requests the Special Rapporteur to continue his exchange of views with the relevant mechanisms and treaty bodies within the United Nations system in order further to enhance their effectiveness and mutual cooperation;

10. Calls upon all Governments, intergovernmental organizations and other relevant organizations of the United Nations system, as well as non-governmental organizations, to supply information to the Special Rapporteur;

11. Requests the Special Rapporteur to make the fullest use of all additional sources of information, including country visits and the evaluation of mass media, and to elicit the responses of Governments with regard to allegations;

12. Encourages the Special Rapporteur, in close consultation with Governments, relevant organizations of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, to present further recommendations concerning human rights education with a view to preventing actions giving rise to racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

13. Also encourages the Special Rapporteur to present concrete recommendations on specific measures which could be taken at the national, regional and international levels, with a view to preventing and eradicating problems within the purview of his mandate;

14. Urges all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur with a view to enabling him to fulfil his mandate;

15. Invites all Governments to study and, where possible, take measures to provide assistance to and rehabilitation of victims of acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

16. Requests the Secretary-General to elicit the views of Governments on the possibility of using existing voluntary funds and of establishing a new voluntary fund for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of victims of acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and to prepare a report thereon to be submitted to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session for its consideration;

17. Regrets that the Special Rapporteur encountered difficulties in preparing his present report, owing to the lack of necessary resources;

18. Requests the Secretary-General without further delay to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the necessary assistance in carrying out his mandate and enabling him to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session and a comprehensive report to the Commission at its fifty-second session.

41st meeting, 24 February 1995 [Adopted without a vote]