EU Explanation of Position - HRC60 - Rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
UN Human Rights Council
60th Session – Item 9
L.29 – Explanation of Position
Rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
EU Explanation of Position
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council. This statement has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
The EU reaffirms its steadfast commitment in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as evidenced by the EU’s Anti-Racism Action Plan, which will soon be revamped into a fully-fledged EU Anti-Racism Strategy.
The EU remains committed to advancing the multilateral anti-racism agenda, as too many individuals around the world are discriminated on the basis of their race, coming from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. This work goes hand in hand with our fight against antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all other forms of discrimination.
It is in this spirit that the EU will join a consensual adoption on this resolution.
Mr. President, allow us, however, to clarify our position.
The EU considers that the multilateral anti-racism agenda remains grounded in the agreed language of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). This also applies to language that seeks redress for some of the most appalling chapters in human history, such as colonialism, slavery and the slave trade, for which the EU fully acknowledges the tragic and lasting consequences. The EU therefore reiterates its alignment to the DDPA, also reaffirming the position expressed in its adoption, and namely that no language contained therein can affect the general legal principle that precludes the retrospective application of international law in matters of State responsibility. These concerns refer in particular to PP 20 and OP 8.
No other language consensually adopted in this resolution should be interpreted to go beyond such principles expressed in the DDPA.
Furthermore, the EU accepts the additions made to this resolution that are taken verbatim from the DDPA. This includes the reference to ‘Islamophobia’, while reiterating that the use of this language is specific to the context of the DDPA, and should not be considered as consensus in other domains.
Finally, the EU wishes to thank the African Group for the constructive engagement held throughout the negotiations. We consider a consensual adoption as a stepping-stone towards more concerted action to increase the impact of the anti-racism mechanisms, through a more strategic allocation of resources at our disposal.
I thank you.