Commission on Human Rights resolution 2000/40 The incompatibility between democracy and racism

The Commission on Human Rights,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,

Recalling the commitment reached in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action concerning the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance,

Recalling the responsibility of Governments to ensure such equality as is established in the relevant international and regional human rights instruments, inter alia, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,

Reaffirming that acts of racial violence and discrimination do not constitute legitimate expressions of opinion, but rather are offences,

Alarmed by the rise of racism and xenophobia in political circles, in the sphere of public opinion, and in society at large,

Recognizing the fundamental role of education in the promotion of tolerance and respect for others and in the construction of pluralistic societies,

Convinced that political platforms based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination must be condemned as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable governance, and that racial discrimination condoned by governmental policies violates human rights and may endanger friendly relations among peoples, cooperation among nations, and international peace and security,

1. Urges States to reinforce their commitment to promote tolerance and to fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as a way to strengthen democracy and transparent and accountable governance;

2. Invites the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights and the treaty bodies, in particular the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, to continue to pay particular attention to violations of human rights stemming from the rise of racism and xenophobia in political circles and society at large, especially as regards their incompatibility with democracy;

3. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the implementation of the present resolution;

4. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.

60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote.]