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General Assembly Adopts More Than 60 Resolutions Recommended by Third Committee,

Including Text Condemning Grave, Systematic Human Rights Violations in Syria



Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination

The Committee’s report on elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination (document A/66/460) contains two draft resolutions and one draft decision.

Draft resolution I on the inadmissibility of certain practices that contribute to fuelling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was approved by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to 22 against, with 31 abstentions, on 17 November. By its provisions, the Assembly emphasize the need to end contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that contribute to the spread of various extremist political parties, movements and groups, including neo-Nazis and skinhead groups. It would call upon States to take more effective measures in accordance with international human rights law to combat those phenomena, which pose a real threat to democratic values. (Press Release GA/SHC/4031)

Draft resolution II on global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was approved by a recorded vote of 126 in favour to 5 against ( Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands and United States) with 43 abstentions, on 22 November. The Assembly would, by that text, express its unequivocal condemnation of all forms of racism and racial discrimination. It would also express deep concern at inadequate responses to emerging and resurgent forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and call on all States, in accordance with the commitments undertaken in the Durban Programme of Action, to take all measures necessary to combat incitement to violence motivated by racial hatred, including through the misuse of print, audio-visual and electronic media and new communications technologies. (Press Release GA/SHC/4033)

By the related draft decision, the Assembly would take note of the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on its seventy-eighth and seventy-ninth sessions and the report of the Secretary-General on global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and the comprehensive implementation of, and follow-up to, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.


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