HRC63 - EU Statement - From rhetoric to reality – a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance - EU General Comment
UN Human Rights Council
63rd session – Item 4
L.30 – General Comment
From rhetoric to reality – a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
EU General Comment
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. The EU Anti-Racism Strategy clearly spells out the concrete ways in which we fight this scourge in the European Union, and we remain committed to furthering the multilateral anti-racism agenda. The EU lives up to this commitment also by taking part and engaging actively and constructively to all anti-racism mechanisms of the HRC.
Too many individuals around the world are discriminated on the basis of their race and ethnicity. This requires concerted action to enhance the impact of our anti-racism efforts, as called by the title of this resolution, a call which we share.
The EU and its Member States acknowledge the lasting consequences of colonialism, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, and reaffirm the importance of continued engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the fight against structural racism and discrimination. .
The EU confirms its commitment to engage with the African Group and the wider membership on such important issues. In such spirit, the EU shared during negotiations many textual proposals that have not been included in the resolution.
The EU remains convinced of the importance of this issue, and recognises more work is needed to advance this agenda in a satisfactory manner. In line with this approach, were this resolution called to a vote, the EU voting members of this Council would abstain, remaining committed to constructively engage going forward.
I thank you.