10 March 2016

ITEM 2 - Interactive Dialogue

Full text of the statement:

2015 was an unfortunate year of escalated racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, and in particular islamophobia and afrophobia. We had expected the OHCHR to do more and would like to know your plans for implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in view of the fifteenth anniversary of its adoption in 2016.

In 2015 the OHCHR decided to eliminate three staff positions from the Anti-Racial-Discrimination-Section that where in the UN General Assembly approved programme budget for 2015 and transfer those resources to other priorities in the office. How would you explain this drastic action by your office in contravention of the General Assembly?

We call on your office to launch a global information campaign on the achievements and urgency of implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to positively assist the Human Rights Council to develop and adopt the multiyear outreach programme for the DDPA as has been requested by the General Assembly.

I thank you.