By Loïc Dorthe / GICJ

The African Group presented a new resolution to the HRC51 to urge States to implement concrete measures to combat racial discrimination in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action (DDPA). On 7 October 2022, the Council voted in favour of resolution A/HRC/51/L.28/Rev.1 by 32 votes to 9.

No European state voted in favour of the resolution, which provoked criticism by other nations. They complained that Western states were responsible for the slave trade and other crimes against humanity, as well as showing the least enthusiasm for fighting racial discrimination. European states justified their vote by lamenting that this resolution is not based on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Instead, it uses the DDPA, which, according to the EU states and the USA, lacks concrete evaluation mechanisms for its results. All nevertheless reiterated their willingness and determination to combat racial discrimination.  

Côte d'Ivoire, Namibia, and other countries welcomed the new resolution to combat racial discrimination, xenophobia and other intolerances. They see it as one of the main priorities of the UN's goal and explain that this resolution will push states to move from words to concrete actions. The resolution is expected to have a budgetary impact of USD 77,000.

As a human rights advocate, Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) welcomes the adoption of this resolution to strengthen international mechanisms to combat racial discrimination. We note the challenges it entails but remain determined that more must be done to combat racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other intolerances, and therefore consider this resolution as a step forward towards more equity and justice.  

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