{"id":318393,"date":"2025-01-08T14:10:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T19:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=318393"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:16:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T18:16:06","slug":"summary-record-of-the-43rd-meeting-of-the-third-committee-general-assembly-discussion-on-secretary-generals-report-on-right-of-peoples-to-self-determination-a-c-3-79-sr-43","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/summary-record-of-the-43rd-meeting-of-the-third-committee-general-assembly-discussion-on-secretary-generals-report-on-right-of-peoples-to-self-determination-a-c-3-79-sr-43\/","title":{"rendered":"Summary record of the 43rd meeting of the Third Committee (General Assembly) – discussion on Secretary-General’s report on Right of peoples to self-determination (A\/C.3\/79\/SR.43)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8 January 2025<\/p>\n

Third Committee<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Summary record of the 43rd meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

Chair<\/em>: Ms. Lortkipanidze (Vice-Chair)………………………………. (Georgia)<\/p>\n

\n

Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n

Agenda item 69: Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued<\/em>)<\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued<\/em>)<\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (continued<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Agenda item 70: Right of peoples to self-determination (continued<\/em>)<\/p>\n

\n

In the absence of Mr. Maniratanga (Burundi), Ms. Lortkipanidze (Georgia), Vice-Chair, took the Chair.<\/em><\/p>\n

The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

Agenda item 69: Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued<\/em>) (A\/79\/305<\/a>)<\/p>\n

(a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued<\/em>) (A\/79\/195<\/a> and A\/79\/306<\/a>)<\/p>\n

(b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (continued<\/em>) (A\/79\/164<\/a>, A\/79\/165<\/a>, A\/79\/278<\/a>, A\/79\/290<\/a>, A\/79\/298<\/a>, A\/79\/304<\/a>, A\/79\/316<\/a> and A\/79\/361<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Agenda item 70: Right of peoples to self-determination (continued<\/em>) (A\/79\/305<\/a> and A\/79\/315<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Ms. Reynolds <\/strong>(Chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent), introducing the note by the Secretariat contained in document A\/79\/278<\/a>, in which attention was drawn to the Working Group\u2019s report entitled \u201cFulfilling the economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in the age of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and new and emerging technologies\u201d (A\/HRC\/57\/70), said that the Working Group had been focusing on four main areas: racial justice, reparatory justice, environmental justice and digital justice.<\/li>\n
  2. On racial justice, the Working Group had increased its advocacy for a Second International Decade for People of African Descent. It had made a consistent contribution to the negotiations led by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. It had also conducted fact-finding country visits to Norway in December 2023 and Colombia in May 2024. No further country visits had been possible due to funding constraints and no technical visits had been carried out in 2024. In addition, the Working Group had engaged in advocacy, technical support and education activities around the world. Despite progress on recognition, justice and development, bolstered by the International Decade for People of African Descent, much remained to be done on the fundamental rights to development and to a healthy, sustainable environment. The Working Group was deeply concerned by the objection of some Member States to the inclusion of those rights and to the recognition of the collective nature of human rights in the draft declaration.<\/li>\n
  3. On reparatory justice, the Working Group had dedicated considerable time to preparing its forthcoming thirty-fifth session, which would focus on principles, provisos and pathways to reparatory justice for people of African descent. The responsibility for righting historical wrongs and moving from acknowledgement to action lay with the entire human race, and the Working Group called for Member States to play an active role in bringing form and substance to the pursuit of reparatory justice.<\/li>\n
  4. On environmental justice, the Working Group had been involved in examining the impact of environmental issues on countries and communities where the lives and livelihoods of people of African descent had been deeply affected. It had been particularly active in Latin America, where traditional Afrodescendent communities faced severe challenges to their claims to ancestral lands. The lack of environmental justice risked reversing gains made around the world.<\/li>\n
  5. On digital justice, the Working Group\u2019s 2024 thematic report had focused on digitalization and artificial intelligence. The economic, social and cultural impacts of those phenomena were rapidly becoming evident, raising concerns about human rights and ethics as their use, misuse and abuse could worsen biases and discrimination across society. For people of African descent, who were already subject to institutional and structural racism, digitalization and artificial intelligence had the potential to intensify and deepen discrimination, despite appearing neutral when compared to earlier, non-digital racist practices. Facial recognition software, widely used by Governments and police forces, disproportionately affected people of African descent. Surveillance practices employed since the era of enslavement and colonization had been exacerbated by artificial intelligence, which was less accurate for non-white populations. In health, housing, employment and education, data used to train artificial intelligence had been shown to contain embedded stereotypes and be prejudiced against people of African descent. The Working Group had found that biases garnered from artificial intelligence could be unconsciously retained and influence decision-making, resulting in discriminatory outcomes. The Working Group had made 15 recommendations to address those issues and was keen to work with other mandate holders to that end.<\/li>\n
  6. Ms. Soomer<\/strong> (Chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent), introducing the note by the Secretariat contained in document A\/79\/298<\/a>, transmitting the report of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent on its third session (A\/HRC\/57\/68<\/a>), said that racism and racial discrimination continued to pervade all areas of life for people of African descent and that attempts to overcome systemic racism and racial discrimination must consider the underlying obstacles if they were to be effective.<\/li>\n
  7. The Permanent Forum had called for the proclamation of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent with a decolonial approach to tackle systemic and structural racism within and between countries, pursue reparatory justice and address emerging and urgent challenges, such as environmental and climate justice and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The establishment of the Permanent Forum and the elaboration of the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent had been one of the most significant outcomes of the International Decade. The Second International Decade should now serve as a catalyst for the adoption of the declaration, which would pave the way for an eventual international convention setting out clear obligations for States to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of people of African descent. Member States should support the Second International Decade.<\/li>\n
  8. During the reporting period, the Permanent Forum had engaged with a variety of stakeholders to amplify the voices and aspirations of Africans and people of African descent in international processes related to sustainable development, biodiversity, climate justice and reparatory justice. The Permanent Forum had put forward several key recommendations to advance the rights of people of African descent, including calling for an intersectional approach to address the concerns of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons of African descent and addressing the issues of reparatory justice, sustainable development and economic justice.<\/li>\n
  9. Realizing equality within and among countries was a central tenet of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, entrenched structural inequalities remained in the global economy as a result of colonialism, enslavement, apartheid and genocide. The destructive effects of climate change were also largely attributable to the actions of the global North, yet countries and people in the global South were disproportionately affected, including Africans and people of African descent. To achieve the 2030 Agenda without leaving Africans and people of African descent behind, Member States must take comprehensive measures to address the socioeconomic inequalities that they faced, such as promoting land ownership; providing access to sustainable clean water; offering financial assistance for affordable housing; empowering entrepreneurs; increasing employment opportunities; and establishing economic models that empowered people of Africa descent, such as social and solidarity economics and cooperatives. Globally, Member States must take steps to bridge the gaps between countries in the global North and South, such as promoting equitable participation for people of African descent in international governance.<\/li>\n
  10. The work of the Permanent Forum was grounded in identifying and analysing best practices to address the issues highlighted in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that were relevant to people of African descent, including reparatory justice. Reparatory justice in all its dimensions would play an integral role in achieving sustainable development for people of African descent and it should be included in the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent and in the Second International Decade. The Permanent Forum would collaborate with the African Union to organize an international meeting with former and current colonial powers on the issue of reparatory justice. The situation of Haiti was particularly troubling and the Permanent Forum would be presenting a position paper to highlight the link between that country\u2019s history and its current difficulties. Education played a crucial role as a cornerstone for building just, non-discriminatory, inclusive societies.<\/li>\n
  11. Ms.<\/strong> Banaken Elel <\/strong>(Cameroon) said that people of African descent were particularly vulnerable to the discriminatory impacts of artificial intelligence, especially with regard to the protection and realization of their economic, social and cultural rights, due to a lack of mechanisms to govern its proliferation. Her delegation wished to know the reasons for the lack of interest in regulating racial bias in artificial intelligence and other new technologies and the ways in which those issues could be reflected in the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. It suggested collaborating with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to address the impact of artificial intelligence on those rights in the periodic reports of the States parties. Her delegation also wished to know the following: how the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent could build political will for the former colonial powers to engage with reparatory measures; if the Permanent Forum could share the conclusions of the Accra Reparations Conference, held in November 2023; and how the matter of reparations would be included in the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.<\/li>\n
  12. Ms. Pereira Gomes <\/strong>(Brazil) said that her delegation was part of a core group of countries that would submit a draft resolution to the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly in order to establish a Second International Decade for People of African Descent. A positive decision from the General Assembly would contribute to the adoption of the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent.<\/li>\n
  13. Her delegation looked forward to contributing to the critical debate on combating racism and racial discrimination and promoting racial equality during the thirty-fifth session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. In August 2024, Brazil had hosted the Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas, which had brought together States and civil society from the Americas and Africa to discuss the issues of memory, restitution, reparations and Pan-Africanism.<\/li>\n
  14. As on previous occasions, Brazil had sent a high-level delegation to the third session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, held in April 2024, and there had been significant civil society participation. The provision of Portuguese interpretation at the Permanent Forum had been appreciated. The delegation had been pleased to see that the report from the Permanent Forum reflected the discussions held at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit on the possible incorporation of an eighteenth Sustainable Development Goal on racial equality, which had been voluntarily adopted by Brazil.<\/li>\n
  15. Mr. Valido Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> (Cuba) said that, despite the efforts of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the objectives of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action were far from being achieved and manifestations of racial discrimination and intolerance against people of African descent persisted around the world.<\/li>\n
  16. In December 2024, Cuba would hold a conference for the International Decade for People of African Descent to mark the close of the country\u2019s activities within that framework. The conference would bring together experts from Latin America and other world regions to discuss ways to prevent racism and related discrimination.<\/li>\n
  17. Ms. Vaeroyvik<\/strong> (Norway) said that her Government wished to acknowledge the significant contribution made by people of African descent to global society. It had been pleased to receive the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent in December 2023 and to hear its suggestions on areas for further improvement on the issue of racial discrimination, which persisted despite considerable progress. Her delegation supported the establishment of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent to raise awareness of that important issue globally.<\/li>\n
  18. Mr. Heartney <\/strong>(United States of America), highlighting the candidacy of Justin Hansford for a second term of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, said that his delegation had sponsored General Assembly resolution 78\/323<\/a> on the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. His Government continued to take concrete steps to address long-standing racial inequalities impacting the economic security, health and safety of people of African descent in the United States.<\/li>\n
  19. His delegation wished to know how Member States could support increased engagement with civil society and United Nations mechanisms to plan and implement a successful Second International Decade for People of African Descent.<\/li>\n
  20. Mr.<\/strong> Swann <\/strong>(Representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer) said that the European Union had recently adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act to foster trustworthy and human-centric artificial intelligence systems by ensuring that they respected human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including the fight against all forms of racism and racial discrimination. The Act had banned particularly harmful practices, such as the social scoring of individuals; the manipulation and exploitation of vulnerabilities related to age, disability or socioeconomic circumstances; the compilation of facial recognition databases via untargeted scraping of facial images from the Internet or closed circuit television footage; and biometric categorization systems classifying individuals according to characteristics such as race. It also required explicit labelling of generative artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The Council of Europe was also working on that topic and had recently opened the first ever global treaty on artificial intelligence for signature, entitled the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law). His delegation wished to hear the view of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on the issue of deepfakes and the need for stricter regulation.<\/li>\n
  21. It would be important to start preparing well in advance for the forthcoming evaluation by the General Assembly of the modalities of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in its role as an advisory body to the Human Rights Council. It was also time for more general discussion on ways to enhance the effectiveness of the various mechanisms created to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The request for additional resources should be preceded by a willingness to evaluate results.<\/li>\n
  22. Ms. Tsamara <\/strong>(Indonesia) said that her Government was strengthening its anti\u2011discrimination laws, promoting tolerance and collaborating with international partners to build an inclusive society that upheld equality for all. Her delegation recognized the profound impact of racial bias in digitalization, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on the human rights of people of African descent, thereby further deepening historical inequities. Collaborative action would be required to reform digital practices and policies to ensure that they served all communities equitably. In order to address the injustices caused by the legacies of colonialism, enslavement, apartheid and genocide, her delegation supported the formal recognition of historical wrongs and the return of stolen cultural assets as essential steps toward restoring dignity and identity. Cultural heritage was an important symbol of resilience and an anchor for identity that must be preserved for future generations.<\/li>\n
  23. Ms.<\/strong> Tudor-bezies <\/strong>(Canada) said that her Government had supported the International Decade for People of African Descent in 2018 and would continue its national efforts thereunder until 2028. Her delegation also welcomed the recommendation for the proclamation of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent. Since 2018, Canada had allocated more than US$872 million to initiatives by and for people of African descent. It had recently announced the creation of the first National Institute for People of African Descent, which would conduct research, knowledge transfer and outreach work.<\/li>\n
  24. Her delegation wished to know how artificial intelligence could be regulated to avoid exacerbating the inequalities faced by people of African descent.<\/li>\n
  25. Mr. Passmoor<\/strong> (South Africa), emphasizing the centrality of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to the creation of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and to the structural racism and discrimination experienced by people of African descent, said that it was important to guard against attempts to detract from and weaken the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.<\/li>\n
  26. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action contained guidance for States on addressing the concerns raised by new technologies and encouraged them to avoid racial stereotyping. It also made tangible recommendations to the private sector to take self-regulatory measures to combat racism and racial discrimination. Those guidelines should now be extended to new actors. His delegation supported the proclamation of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent. The programme of activities for a Second International Decade would need to be reviewed and it would be useful to know what additional areas should be included.<\/li>\n
  27. Mr. Quintana Aranguren <\/strong>(Colombia) said that his delegation was proud to be part of the core group mentioned by the distinguished representative of Brazil and that the current discussion was an excellent opportunity for collective reflection on the outcomes of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The full potential of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent had not yet been realized due to a lack of serious reflection by Member States on how best to engage with it and that would be an important area for improvement in a Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which should be more action-focused than the first.<\/li>\n
  28. Ms.<\/strong> Zhang <\/strong>Sisi (China) said that the United States and other Western countries should examine their history and conduct, fulfil their responsibilities in terms of reparatory justice, take effective measures to resolve their racial problems and remove all barriers to the equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent. African countries should be given more assistance on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to bridge the digital divide between the global North and South. Her delegation supported the proclamation of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent in 2025.<\/li>\n
  29. Ms. Reynolds <\/strong>(Chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent), highlighting four of the fifteen recommendations on digitalization and artificial intelligence made in the report of the Working Group (A\/HRC\/57\/70), said that digital literacy must be brought up to between 60 and 80 per cent of the population in all countries; national and international legislative and policy frameworks must be informed by ethical principles and a commitment to fairness, equality and equity, paying particular attention to generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence should always be governed by human oversight; and there should be explicit attention to race in those technologies.<\/li>\n
  30. One of the key considerations when it came to the Second International Decade for People of African Descent was the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. Considerable progress had been made on the declaration and continued support would be needed to ensure that it was completed as soon as possible. Four areas of action for the Second International Decade had been identified: addressing the unfinished business of the International Decade in terms of recognition, justice and development; righting historical wrongs through a process of reparatory justice; ensuring environmental justice; and ensuring digital justice. An intersectoral approach would be necessary to take digital skills gaps between generations and geographies into consideration. It would be crucial to consider all the demographic factors affecting individuals, communities, countries and regions in order to reflect on their intersectionality. The Working Group would continue to collaborate with other mandate holders focusing on the full range of human rights issues.<\/li>\n
  31. Ms. Soomer<\/strong> (Chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent), providing assurance that the Permanent Forum had diligently undertaken its mandate in light of the forthcoming evaluation in 2025, said that it had held three sessions to date and would be holding a fourth in New York in 2025, despite having limited resources. The third session in Geneva in 2024 had been a success, attracting more than 1,500 delegates. More than 100 countries had been represented and there had been almost 100 side events.<\/li>\n
  32. The Permanent Forum was grateful to Member States for offering spaces to allow it to network effectively in relation to the issues with which it was concerned. Currently, the main issue was reparatory justice, which could only be achieved by opening up safe spaces for important discussions to be held. The Permanent Forum had called on the General Assembly to organize an open discussion on reparatory justice in 2025 in the hope that it would become a global movement. It was undertaking consultations with civil society on reparatory justice, one of which would take place in Barbados in December 2024, with a further three planned for 2025 thanks to extrabudgetary funding.<\/li>\n
  33. In addition, the Permanent Forum was seeking to ensure that the Second International Decade for People of African Descent would be properly articulated in relation to existing activities, as well as issues of reparatory justice, environmental justice, climate justice and digital justice. It intended to add issues facing women and girls of African descent, who had the worst outcomes across a range of areas globally, especially health.<\/li>\n
  34. Ms. Kuenyehia <\/strong>(Chair of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement), introducing the note by the Secretariat contained in document A\/79\/165<\/a>, transmitting the report of the Independent Expert Mechanism, entitled \u201cPromotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers\u201d (A\/HRC\/57\/71<\/a>), said that the Expert Mechanism had been created by the Human Rights Council in 2021 to further transformative change for racial justice and equality in law enforcement globally. The Council had recently renewed its mandate for another three-year term.<\/li>\n
  35. To date, the Expert Mechanism had produced three thematic and four country visit reports, held three annual sessions and transmitted 11 letters to Member States on specific situations. In its ongoing interactions with people and communities affected by police violence, it had observed broad impunity and a failure to fulfil victims\u2019 right to justice, truth and reparation. States must invest in building strong institutions to provide justice, accountability and redress for victims and three minimum steps to that end had been identified in the Expert Mechanism\u2019s 2024 report. The first step was to establish effective recording, reporting, review and investigation procedures. Technology like body-worn cameras should be used to record all incidents and affected communities and individuals should be invited to actively participate in investigations. The role of systemic racism in incidents of misconduct should also be examined. The second step was to create independent civilian oversight bodies to monitor law enforcement agencies and adopt independent accountability mechanisms to protect victims reporting racially motivated police misconduct. The third step was to develop independent mechanisms to support victims and communities, enabling prompt and adequate reparation. The report contained action-oriented recommendations for each of those steps, which should be implemented by all States.<\/li>\n
  36. The Expert Mechanism was grateful to Brazil and Italy for their cooperation during its country visits. In Brazil, it had met law enforcement agencies, oversight bodies, public prosecutors and defenders in five cities and had visited two criminal detention centres, as well as hearing testimonies from 117 victims and their relatives. The Expert Mechanism had observed systemic racial profiling against people of African descent, who were three times more likely to be killed by police. In 2023, police had killed more than 6,000 people, 82 per cent of whom were of African descent. Young men living in impoverished areas were worst affected. Combined with current anti-crime policies, systemic racism had led to social cleansing in a bid to exterminate sectors of society deemed undesirable and dangerous. A systemic response was required, including accountability and redress for victims.<\/li>\n
  37. In Italy, the Expert Mechanism had met law enforcement agencies and civil society, visited several detention facilities and heard direct testimonies. It had found that racism led to widespread presumptions of criminality towards foreigners and people perceived as foreign, especially Africans and people of African descent, which contributed to racial profiling by law enforcement and the disproportionate representation of people of foreign origin, especially Africans, within the criminal justice system. The recent increase in incarceration rates, prison overpopulation and cases of torture and other ill-treatment were particularly worrying.<\/li>\n
  38. Mr. Trager <\/strong>(United States of America) said that his delegation was proud to have sponsored Human Rights Council resolution 56\/13<\/a>, renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement during the fifty-sixth session of the Human Rights Council, and to have facilitated the county visit by the Expert Mechanism in 2023. Reporting by his Government had revealed the serious physical, mental and public health impacts of the use of force by law enforcement, which disproportionately affected marginalized racial, ethnic and Indigenous communities. Federal agencies had been working to develop programmes to address those impacts, with a particular focus on mental health services. His Government had passed an executive order to promote new standards of effectiveness and accountability in law enforcement, adopting mandatory measures such as the use of body-worn cameras, the provision of de-escalation training and the submission of use-of-force data. It would continue to support the Expert Mechanism in advancing the goals of equality, justice and public safety for communities of African descent worldwide.<\/li>\n
  39. His delegation wished to know how States could apply an intersectional approach to accountability and justice for victims of human rights violations by law enforcement agencies.<\/li>\n
  40. Ms. Pereira Gomes <\/strong>(Brazil) said that a key priority of her Government since 2023 had been to reduce violence against people of African descent through public policy. It had established a Ministry of Racial Equality and initiatives to promote social participation and diversity within the Government. The country visit by the Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement had offered an opportunity to address violence by law enforcement agencies. Her Government had already implemented many of the recommended actions. A programme targeting young people of African descent aimed to reduce homicides and social vulnerability. Nationally, local governments were encouraged to develop community-based public security policies with an intersectional approach. The Federal Government was sharing good practices with local governments and promoting a human rights-based approach to police work, including recent regulations on the use of body-worn cameras and new guidelines to bring use of force in line with international standards.<\/li>\n
  41. Her delegation wished to know how an intersectional approach could contribute to improving access to justice and accountability in order to prevent violence against people of African descent.<\/li>\n
  42. Mr.<\/strong> Swann <\/strong>(Representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer), condemning the unfair treatment of people belonging to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities by law enforcement agencies, said that the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights had outlined numerous steps to combat impunity for human rights violations in law enforcement in a recent report, including ensuring independent oversight and protection for whistleblowers.<\/li>\n
  43. The report of the Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (A\/HRC\/57\/71<\/a>) had recommended the use of information technology to report incidents of the use or threat of force and his delegation wished to know how States could ensure that that technology complied with human rights law, including the right to privacy. Given the disproportionate impact of an excessive use of force on Africans and people of African descent, it would also be useful to know how States could address systemic racism and end impunity in law enforcement, which undermined trust in law enforcement agencies and in State institutions and the justice system more broadly.<\/li>\n
  44. Ms. Kuenyehia <\/strong>(Chair of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement), highlighting the importance of an intersectional approach to the multiple forms of discrimination experienced by people of African descent, said that achieving a shift from impunity to accountability would require attitudinal change among law enforcement agencies, which might be hard to achieve. Member States must cooperate with the work of the Expert Mechanism to advance its mandate.<\/li>\n
  45. The effectiveness of the action-oriented recommendations made by the Expert Mechanism would become clear over time and disaggregated data would be crucial in that evaluation. Racial discrimination and gender-based violence affecting women and girls of African descent were aggravated by violence from law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement must be governed by consideration for human rights and the Expert Mechanism would continue to insist on training for law enforcement agents in that regard, as well as remaining available to engage with stakeholders to provide further recommendations to advance racial justice and equality.<\/li>\n
  46. Ms. Jezdimirovic Ranito <\/strong>(Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination), introducing the report of the Working Group, entitled \u201cTrends and challenges in the financing of mercenaries and related actors\u201d (A\/79\/305<\/a>), said that the illicit financing of mercenaries and related actors continued to threaten human rights and the stability of sovereign States worldwide, prolong armed conflicts and undermine development, reconstruction and peace efforts.<\/li>\n
  47. The report had examined the methods, channels and means used to fund mercenarism around the world, identifying two main levels at which financing occurred. At the macro level, mercenary operations and private military and security activities were funded primarily by States and their proxies. At the micro level, individual mercenaries were paid for their services. Funds were channelled through traditional and alternative financial systems, with support from a range of so-called enablers. There had been an increase in the use of mercenaries and related actors as proxies in armed conflicts and as a response to terrorism and violent extremism, operating as an extension of State foreign policy with diplomatic and political backing and logistical support. The practice was most prevalent in countries rich in natural resources, which led to escalating violence and human rights violations against civilians.<\/li>\n
  48. Mercenarism was linked to the exploitation of natural resources, transnational organized crime and other illicit activities, which posed a threat to local populations and beyond. It was vital to understand the complex ways in which States, enablers and individual mercenaries used traditional and alternative financial systems and the linkages with broader criminal ecosystems in order to tackle mercenarism.<\/li>\n
  49. Immediate action from States and all involved stakeholders was required: effective regulatory action must be taken, including adherence to international and regional criminal provisions to stop funding for mercenarism; gaps in financial ecosystems that allowed the financing of mercenarism to flourish must be addressed; and incentives to mercenarism must be removed by preventing individual mercenaries from obtaining remuneration and addressing the root causes of individual recruitment. Given the transnational nature of mercenarism, an international binding instrument to regulate the activities of private military and security companies worldwide would also be crucial. Joint action was needed to combat the challenges of mercenarism and ensure that they did not affect the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda.<\/li>\n
  50. Mr. Padilla Gonzalez <\/strong>(Cuba) said that his delegation was concerned by the fact that countries such as the United States of America supported the use of mercenaries to intervene in the internal affairs of developing countries, destabilize legitimately elected Governments and curtail the right of peoples to self-determination. The United States also used mercenaries to protect resource extraction activities in the global South, which often led to serious human rights violations. His delegation called on the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination to continue to evaluate those issues.<\/li>\n
  51. Cuba would take firm action against all manifestations of mercenarism, which was strictly punished under domestic law. It would continue to support the Working Group by presenting an annual draft resolution on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination and invited all Member States to support its adoption.<\/li>\n
  52. Mr.<\/strong> Swann <\/strong>(Representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer) said that the European Union remained deeply concerned about the serious human rights violations and abuses committed by the Wagner Group, a Russia-based unincorporated private military entity, as well as other similar unregulated private and military security entities, in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Mozambique, among others. It strongly opposed the financing of mercenaries and had adopted restrictive measures against individuals and entities involved in mercenary activities due to their involvement in human rights abuses.<\/li>\n
  53. The European Union wished to reiterate its position that the activities of mercenaries should not be confused with those of private military and private security companies, whose work was legitimate and advisable in some circumstances, and that the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination would be more effective if it were to focus more clearly on those groups and their activities. It wished to hear of any good practices to reduce their funding.<\/li>\n
  54. Ms. Zinchenko <\/strong>(Russian Federation) said that Russian law complied with international standards on mercenarism and codified it as a crime. Her delegation wished to reiterate its position that international legal norms to combat mercenarism must be promptly reviewed and that there were insufficient grounds at present to adopt a legally binding document regulating private military companies. Noting the broad divergence between Member States on that matter, it believed that the report (A\/79\/305<\/a>) was one-sided and had failed to reflect the concerns of the Russian Federation.<\/li>\n
  55. Ms. Jezdimirovic Ranito <\/strong>(Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination), inviting all Member States to contact the Working Group if they wished to discuss any issues further, said that its report included strong recommendations on what States could do to create a safer environment and equip financial institutions to address the issues associated with financing mercenarism. It was insufficient to merely oppose mercenarism and European Union countries must all adopt the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries and apply it in their domestic laws. Mercenary activity was fluid, especially in conflict settings, and companies offered services on a spectrum ranging from traditional security services to mercenary-related services, making it difficult to clearly identify mercenary activity. Little had been done internationally on the financing of mercenary activity and the Working Group had noted a regulatory gap that must now be filled. The main responsibility for doing so lay with the States and stakeholders involved in financing and supporting such activities, in contravention of United Nations and African Union conventions, and those that remained silent on the issue. States were invited to sign existing conventions, participate in discussions in support of a binding mechanism on private military and security companies and take action to curb criminal and illicit activity.<\/li>\n
  56. The Chair <\/strong>invited the Committee to engage in a general discussion on the items.<\/li>\n
  57. Ms. Salem <\/strong>(Observer for the State of Palestine) said that the unlawful Israeli occupation of the territory of the State of Palestine amounted to a denial of the Palestinian people\u2019s right to self-determination and their historic connection to their ancestral homeland and an attempt to permanently declare Israeli sovereignty over that land. Israel had transferred a settler population to Palestinian territory; imposed an apartheid system; stolen natural resources; annexed Jerusalem; blockaded and destroyed Gaza; prohibited and punished political, cultural and religious expressions of Palestinian identity and nationhood; and killed civilians, including large numbers of children. It had set out to convince the world that Israeli security and Palestinian self-determination were mutually exclusive. Her delegation was grateful to the vast majority of States that continued to support the two-State solution based on the 1967 borders and recognize the State of Palestine. The International Court of Justice had recently stated that security concerns could never trump the right of peoples to self-determination; that Israel had no veto over that right for Palestinians; and that Israel must cease its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as quickly as possible. Member States had a duty to make that happen.<\/li>\n
  58. The representative of Mozambique <\/strong>said that the principle of self-determination of peoples was enshrined in the Constitution of Mozambique and was essential for sustainable peace, justice and stability. His delegation was concerned about the long-standing dispute over Western Sahara and hoped that a solution to the crisis would contribute to improving regional stability in Africa and fulfilling the African Union\u2019s Silencing the Guns by 2030 initiative.<\/li>\n
  59. There had been an unprecedented escalation in violent militarized operations in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, causing large numbers of casualties and extensive destruction of civil infrastructure. Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory were a blatant violation of international law. It was vital to unify the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority and to strive to achieve a peaceful resolution in the Middle East. Mozambique stood in solidarity with all people in their quest for self-determination and urged the international community to put forward lasting solutions.<\/li>\n
  60. Ms. Minbayeva <\/strong>(Kazakhstan) said that, as a multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, Kazakhstan was committed to embedding racial justice and equality in all sectors, including law enforcement. The country\u2019s Constitution and legislation protected the rights of all minorities from discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity or religion. The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, established in 1995, was an important component of Kazakhstan\u2019s political system and ensured that the interests of all ethnic groups were represented. The Assembly implemented national policies aimed at ensuring social and political stability in the country and improving the efficiency of cooperation between State institutions and civil society on inter-ethnic relations.<\/li>\n
  61. Despite global efforts, there had been a rise in intolerance, discrimination and hatred, which must be tackled through national and international prevention strategies. Education would play a key part in that process and must be leveraged as a transformative force shaping attitudes and behaviours. To that end, Kazakhstan had initiated Human Rights Council resolution 54\/5<\/a> on ensuring education for peace and tolerance for every child, which had been adopted in 2023. Her delegation called on all States to work towards eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to promote respect for human dignity and human rights.<\/li>\n
  62. Ms. Zulkifli <\/strong>(Malaysia) said that her delegation recognized the critical importance of effectively realizing the right of peoples to self-determination. Palestine continued its long-standing struggle for self-determination, which remained unfulfilled due to the failure to hold Israel to account for its multiple breaches of international law over the decades. Israel had become increasingly emboldened in its unlawful territorial expansion and ethnic cleansing of Palestine by the unconditional support of certain Security Council members and their allies, vilifying anyone who dared to challenge its actions. The Government\u2019s recent arbitrary designation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (±¬ÁÏÍøRWA) as a terrorist organization and the parliamentary vote to ban ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA was a serious challenge to the international rules-based order and United Nations-led multilateralism. Israel\u2019s actions raised doubts as to whether it believed in the United Nations system or valued its membership. Israel must be held accountable for its violations of international laws in order to ensure lasting peace in the region. Malaysia would continue to support the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.<\/li>\n
  63. Mr. Mosly<\/strong> (Saudi Arabia) said that the Palestinian people were being constantly subjected to increasing pressure from the Israeli war machine. Civilian facilities, such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure, were being targeted, which had led to the killing and wounding of thousands of innocent civilians, including women, children and older persons. The silence from the international community in the face of the collective punishment of the residents of Gaza and attempts at forced displacement did not contribute to security and peace. Saudi Arabia affirmed that the Palestinian cause would remain its top priority until the Palestinian people exercised their right to live in peace in an independent State with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. Saudi Arabia demanded the cessation of military operations, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, and the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors.<\/li>\n
  64. All laws in Saudi Arabia were based on Islamic law, which mandated equality and prohibited injustice and racism. The Government\u2019s Vision 2030 initiative included various goals that would enhance Saudi Arabia as an attractive destination for all, regardless of religion, culture or race, whether for investment, work, education or tourism. Saudi Arabian law prohibited any organizations or ideas based on racial discrimination. Saudi Arabia had acceded to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1997. The King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue organized periodic meetings with the aim of promoting a culture of dialogue and human rights and rejecting fanaticism and hatred.<\/li>\n
  65. Mr. Padilla Gonzalez<\/strong> (Cuba) said that it was highly concerning that some developed countries continued to ignore the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and that supremacist, racist and xenophobic ideas were justified or normalized within the government apparatus in countries such as the United States. It was inconceivable that such a country, which held itself up as a champion of universal human rights and frequently criticized other countries, had been unable to solve the serious issue of structural and systemic racism facing Afrodescendent, Latino and Indigenous minorities, who faced racism, discrimination, intolerance and police brutality on a daily basis.<\/li>\n
  66. Supremacist theories underpinning racism and racial discrimination were scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance must be eradicated in all their manifestations by addressing their root causes, such as poverty, underdevelopment, the legacy of colonialism, marginalization and social exclusion.<\/li>\n
  67. Cuba was a proudly multi-ethnic nation where the eradication of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia was viewed as an ethical imperative. In 2019, following the adoption of its national programme against racism and racial discrimination, a national monitoring commission had been set up to eliminate the remaining vestiges of racism and racial prejudice. The results of that initiative had cast light on the need for ongoing work to perfect the social justice system in Cuba.<\/li>\n
  68. Describing Palestine as the most representative struggle for self-determination, he said that the Palestinian people had suffered under illegal occupation and colonization by Israel for more than half a century. For the last year, Israeli forces had been perpetrating genocide against the Palestinian people with open complicity from the United States of America, resulting in the deaths of more than 43,000 civilians, humanitarian personnel and United Nations staff. The International Court of Justice had made it clear that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory was illegal. His delegation supported the two-State solution, with the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian State within the 1967 borders and the right for refugees to return, as the only way to achieve true peace in the Middle East.<\/li>\n
  69. Other peoples, who had achieved independence through great sacrifice, were experiencing attempts to undermine their right to self-determination. The United States of America had imposed on Cuba the longest, most far-reaching system of unilateral coercive measures ever seen for daring to exercise its right to self-determination. After 65 years of a fruitless blockade, which was a form of collective punishment, the United States of America should have grasped that the Cuban people would not falter in their determination to safeguard their sovereignty and independence.<\/li>\n
  70. Ms. Rios <\/strong>(Plurinational State of Bolivia) said that her country was a plurinational State made up of a wide variety of Indigenous Peoples, religions and identities that were protected from racism and discrimination under the Constitution. Her delegation was concerned to see racism and discrimination on the rise around the world, along with the normalization of hate speech and the dehumanization of vulnerable groups. The growth of racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance posed a threat to social cohesion and harmony. Her Government was committed to eradicating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.<\/li>\n
  71. The Plurinational State of Bolivia acknowledged the value and importance of self-determination for all peoples, recognizing the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples specifically in its Constitution. The illegal settlements, land seizures, restrictions on movement and legalized discrimination perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip contravened the principle of self-determination and were a form of apartheid. Her country remained committed to striving for self-determination for all peoples.<\/li>\n
  72. Ms. Qamash <\/strong>(Jordan) said that her delegation was alarmed by the rising tide of xenophobia and intolerance, particularly Islamophobia, against migrants, refugees and minorities, which jeopardized their security and well-being. Jordan was dedicated to promoting a culture of tolerance, coexistence and dialogue among diverse communities and had been championing initiatives to enhance social cohesion and mutual respect for years. The spread of hate speech and misinformation on digital platforms was very troubling and international cooperation was required to strengthen regulations and accountability in digital spaces. Education was a powerful tool to combat racism and intolerance, and human rights should be taught from a young age to foster a culture of mutual respect.<\/li>\n
  73. The Palestinian people\u2019s right to self-determination had been systematically undermined by the oppressive measures imposed by the Israeli Government. The situation had been exacerbated by violence in Gaza and the West Bank, the systematic targeting of hospitals and schools, acts of ethnic cleansing and the obstruction of essential humanitarian aid. The rise in hate speech from Israeli officials inciting violence and hostility against the Palestinian people was deeply alarming. All Member States must protect and promote the fundamental legal right of self-determination for the Palestinian people.<\/li>\n
  74. Ms. Oppong-Ntiri <\/strong>(Ghana) said that Ghana\u2019s approach to tackling racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was based on a firm commitment to reparative justice, which was essential for confronting the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism and systemic discrimination that entrenched socioeconomic disparities for people of African descent. Reparations must go beyond financial compensation to include substantial investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure, coupled with formal acknowledgments and sincere apologies from former colonial Powers. Victims of slavery and their descendants must be actively involved in defining reparative measures to ensure that they addressed community-specific impacts and paved the way for lasting justice and empowerment. Ghana\u2019s commitment was reflected in the Accra Declaration on Reparations and Racial Healing adopted in 2022. Ghana also supported ongoing efforts to advance the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and declare a Second International Decade for People of African Descent.<\/li>\n
  75. The spread of hate speech and intolerance online had intensified racism and stigmatization. Member States must ratify the International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, once it had been adopted by the General Assembly, to hold digital platforms accountable and ensure safe, inclusive online spaces. As racism intersected with other forms of intolerance, it was important to develop inclusive and gender-sensitive policies. In Ghana, national human rights institutions played a vital role in public education and democratic engagement to combat racism and discrimination. The 2020 Cybersecurity Act supported the creation of a safe, respectful digital environment. Nevertheless, international collaboration would also be required to eliminate racism and all Member States should ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.<\/li>\n
  76. Mr. Eltelb<\/strong> (Libya) said that, despite the adoption in 2001 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, racism and discrimination based on religion, language and culture continued to spread. Urgent action was needed to defend the universal values of justice and equality. The long history of oppression suffered by African peoples could not be ignored. Millions of Africans had been taken across the oceans in chains of slavery, forced to work in degrading conditions and were brutally exploited by colonial Powers that used them to achieve their interests without any regard for their dignity or rights.<\/li>\n
  77. The growing global trend of intolerance and prejudice against Islam and Muslims could not be ignored. Harmful stereotypes and prejudices about Muslims had been reinforced by some media outlets, politicians and influencers over the past decades under the pretext of freedom of expression. That had led to discriminatory practices aimed at classifying Muslims as potential terrorists and preventing them from living according to their beliefs.<\/li>\n
  78. Since the Nakbah of 1948, the Palestinian people had been deprived of their most basic rights, foremost of which was their right to self-determination. The Israeli occupation had not only stolen Palestinian land and displaced the inhabitants, but also targeted the Palestinians with the most heinous forms of oppression, starvation and blockade. More than a year after the launch of the brutal aggression by the Zionist entity in Gaza, the voices of children and women continued to be heard from under the rubble, telling stories of suffering and steadfastness. Entire neighbourhoods and families had been wiped out and the international community had failed to take a firm stand to end the injustice.<\/li>\n
  79. Ms. Spencer-Coker <\/strong>(Sierra Leone) said that collective efforts must be made to combat racist tropes and practices, condemn all vestiges of racism and intolerance and raise awareness of their harmful impact across the globe. Eradicating racist beliefs and systems would entail building a future of justice by correcting historical injustices. Every Member State had a responsibility to engage in solidarity, tackle poverty and exclusion, invest in education and rebuild trust and social cohesion in line with international human rights obligations and commitments. Sierra Leone supported the victim-centred approach set out in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and advocated the recognition of historical wrongs, the provision of access to justice and restitution and the empowerment of victims as champions for change. Member States should scale up implementation of the 20 actions identified in the 2021 report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, entitled \u201cPromotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers through transformative change for racial justice and equality\u201d (A\/HRC\/47\/53<\/a>), and in its 2022 follow-up report (A\/HRC\/51\/53<\/a>), in order to address systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent and move towards racial justice and equality. In a year when more voters than ever before would head to the polls, it was also important to tackle hate speech and harassment both online and offline.<\/li>\n
  80. Mr. Al Meajel<\/strong> (Kuwait) said that his Government rejected all forms of racial discrimination, in line with the principles of the Islamic religion. Kuwait regretted the lack of seriousness of certain countries when it came to combating racial discrimination at the international level. Although some countries had apologized for their past crimes and expressed remorse for colonialism and the genocide of Indigenous Peoples, they currently supported and justified clear genocide and crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people, the Indigenous People of the land, and supported colonialism by foreign settlers who imposed a racist system at the expense of the Palestinian people.<\/li>\n
  81. Kuwait strongly condemned the imposition of apartheid between the illegal settlers and the Indigenous Palestinian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In 2021, occupation forces had replaced Palestinians with Jewish settlers in the Shaykh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, and the same thing was happening currently in Gaza, where officials of the usurping entity were calling for the displacement of the residents of Gaza so that illegal settlements could be established there, as part of a genocide project.<\/li>\n
  82. Kuwait called for decisive action by the international community to counter the spread of Islamophobia, hate speech and violence, especially in countries with Muslim minorities, including by punishing perpetrators of hate crimes. His delegation firmly believed in peaceful coexistence among people of various religions, sects and races, while respecting their internationally guaranteed freedoms. It also emphasized the right of peoples to choose the values and principles that aligned with their own cultural and religious context.<\/li>\n
  83. Mr. Shapira <\/strong>(Israel) said that although Jews represented only 0.2 per cent of the world\u2019s population, they had always found themselves at the centre of attention in discussions of identity and race. Since their forced expulsion from their ancestral homeland, their success in preserving their unique cultural and religious identity as a minority had been met with hostility, suspicion and disdain and they had often been viewed as a subversive, alien presence. The Jewish people had been portrayed as a racial group rather than a people with a shared history and identity, and the idea that they sought to dominate other racial groups around the world had paved the way for some of the worst atrocities in history. That racialized antisemitism continued to rear its head on social media and a widely shared post referring to the Jewish people as a racial group seeking to dominate other groups had been shared by a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on their official page. That was not the only example of a United Nations official displaying prejudice against the Jewish people. The Jewish people in Israel were no longer afraid of such antisemitism because they knew that they were now able to protect themselves, but they were wary of the rise and legitimization of such toxic ideas. His delegation urged Member States to actively confront antisemitism, especially within the United Nations, as champions in the fight against all forms of racism and discrimination.<\/li>\n
  84. Mr. Nave <\/strong>(Israel) said that, despite being maligned as racist for decades, Zionism was nothing more than the belief in the fundamental right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their historic homeland, which had been acknowledged by the international community in General Assembly resolution 181 (II)<\/a>. The return of the Jewish people to their homeland had been based on an existential need to ensure their survival after more than 2,000 years of persecution, discrimination and enforced expulsion in diaspora. The rise of antisemitism around the globe was a reminder that the Jewish people were only safe in their own homeland. That idea was now being challenged even within the United Nations, as several delegations, including the State of Palestine, refused to condemn the heinous crimes of Hamas and sought to challenge the very existence of Israel. Israel had demonstrated its willingness to make difficult sacrifices for peace through its actions, but it would not sacrifice its right to exist, its security or its ability to determine its own future. Member States should consider whether the actions of those claiming to support Palestinian self-determination were actually aimed at denying the Jewish people their right to exist as a free and sovereign people in their historic homeland.<\/li>\n
  85. Ms.<\/strong> Zhang <\/strong>Sisi (China) said that racism was a chronic global scourge that must be eliminated by promoting intercivilizational dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples. It was important to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, ensure that the dividends of development benefited all people to break the vicious circle of inequality and racism, prevent political polarization and social division, protect freedom of expression and effectively combat disinformation and hate speech.<\/li>\n
  86. China was a unified multi-ethnic nation where 56 ethnic groups worked as a close-knit national community to modernize the country. Xinjiang and Xizang enjoyed social harmony and stability, despite attempts by a small number of Western countries to interfere in China\u2019s internal affairs by exploiting the fictitious Xinjiang issue. The hypocrisy of political manipulation under the banner of human rights had long been exposed and it was now clear who the real culprits of racism were. Australia had enforced the White Australia policy and had committed genocide against Aboriginal peoples. The United States of America had a long track record of ethnic cleansing and massacres against Native Americans and worsening discrimination and persecution of Asians and Muslims. European countries such as the United Kingdom had committed crimes like enslavement and colonial plunder but refused to apologize or make reparations. Those countries displayed hypocrisy and double standards by fabricating lies about China while turning a blind eye to racism within their own borders and by ignoring the killing of the people of Gaza while continuing to supply weapons to the party responsible for the tragedy. They should abandon hegemonic bullying and stop discrediting other countries.<\/li>\n
  87. China firmly opposed the use of the right to self-determination as a pretext to divide sovereign States or incite ethnic hatred. The only way to settle the question of Palestine was to restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination. The international community should demand that Israel halt its military operations in Gaza and stop illegal settlements in the West Bank. China would continue to work towards an immediate ceasefire and the revival of the two-State solution.<\/li>\n
  88. Ms. Al-mashehari<\/strong> (Yemen) said that the Palestinian people had the right to an independent, sovereign State in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which stipulated that relations with Israel could be normalized only after the occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories was ended and the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and return were realized.<\/li>\n
  89. Yemen condemned in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which had resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and the indiscriminate targeting of defenceless civilians, especially women and children. It also condemned the unjust siege and the denial of water, electricity, food and medicine to the civilian population, a war crime and crime against humanity. Yemen also strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Syria and the continued occupation of the Syrian Arab Golan. It deplored the decision of the Israeli entity to prevent ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA from carrying out its humanitarian work. The international community must take urgent steps to secure an immediate ceasefire, end the occupation and guarantee the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Her delegation affirmed its support for the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice regarding the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. Commitment to international law required that the Israeli entity be held accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people.<\/li>\n
  90. Mr. Weerasekara <\/strong>(Sri Lanka) said that addressing the issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance must remain a top priority for the global community. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action provided a foundation for addressing the challenges faced by those subjected to discrimination worldwide rather than an endpoint. His delegation categorically rejected the idea that there were distinct human races and believed that all individuals had the right and ability to contribute positively to their societies. Sri Lanka\u2019s policies would be based on social justice and seek to foster trust and reconciliation among all communities. His Government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards religious hatred and intolerance and had taken proactive measures to counter such acts.<\/li>\n
  91. Despite the recognition of the importance of combating racism and related intolerance in the Pact for the Future, there was much still to be done. Internet platforms and digital technologies were increasingly used to promote hate, organize and fund unlawful activities and spread information to incite racism, discrimination, violence and terrorism. All Member States must collaborate by enhancing their legal frameworks to address those online threats. In order to build a society where all communities were safeguarded and treated fairly, it was crucial to rise above ethnic divisions exploited by manipulative practices and focus on what the international community could achieve for the betterment of all.<\/li>\n
  92. Ms. Al Khusaibi<\/strong> (Oman) said that her country\u2019s strong support for interreligious and intercultural tolerance derived from its deep belief that diversity was a source of social strength and wealth. Her Government worked, through its laws and legal mechanisms, to secure human rights and equality and to prevent all forms of discrimination and hatred, and article 21 of the Basic Law of the State enshrined the principle of equality before the law. Oman emphasized the importance of education for consolidating the values of peace and understanding and strived to promote those values through initiatives and awareness campaigns. The Government had also developed programmes aimed at creating an environment conducive to equality of opportunity for all individuals, citizens and residents alike, in line with its international human rights commitments.<\/li>\n
  93. International cooperation, through participation in conferences and the exchange of best practices, was needed in order to confront the challenges of racism and xenophobia. In that context, her delegation wished to draw attention to the apartheid policies imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people. Palestinians were subjected to violations of their basic rights to housing, employment and movement, which constituted a blatant example of hatred and discrimination. The international community must oppose those violations and support the rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and dignity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The meeting rose at 1 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    8 January 2025 Third Committee Summary record of the 43rd meeting Held at Headquarters, New York, on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, at 10 a.m. Chair: Ms. Lortkipanidze (Vice-Chair)………………………………. (Georgia) Contents Agenda item 69: Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued) (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (continued) (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[3053],"document-source":[1845],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[6881,1821],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6544,6543,6542,6541,6539,6538],"class_list":["post-318393","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-summary-record","document-source-general-assembly-third-committee-social-humanitarian-and-cultural","document-subject-occupied-palestinian-territory","document-subject-self-determination","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-arabic","document-language-chinese","document-language-english","document-language-french","document-language-russian","document-language-spanish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":318407,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/318393\/revisions\/318407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=318393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=318393"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=318393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}