Third Committee, 38th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

Very good. Thank you so much for rejoining us. The 38th meeting of the Third Committee at the 81st session of the General Assembly is called to order. And I now invite the committee to continue its joint consideration of agenda item 68, elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and its sub-items A and B, and agenda item 69, entitled right of people to right of peoples to self-determination. We will be holding a combined briefing, as we have in other instances, and the Committee will hear three introductory presentations before proceeding to a joint interactive dialogue during which delegations can make comments or pose questions to any or all three presenters. We have three distinguished speakers. the Chair Rapporteur of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Ms. Salome Bougoua. You're very, very welcome. We have the Chair Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Ms. Khadra Ahmed Hassan. and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ms. Ashwini K.P. I'll just ask the Secretariat one second. And just to clarify here, the second speaker is on their way, so they will join us very shortly. In the usual way, participants wishing to make comments and post questions, should press their microphone button, and that will determine the number of delegations able to intervene from the floor. And in the usual way also, that will determine the amount of time each delegation has to speak. So, in the first instance, let me invite the Chair Rapporteur of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Ms. Bougoua, to make your remarks. You're very welcome.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. It's an honor to address the Third Committee of the General Assembly on behalf of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance continues to deny millions of people their dignity, equality, and fundamental rights. 25 years after its adoption in 2001, The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remains the most comprehensive international framework for confronting the historical and contemporary manifestations of racism and advancing racial justice. The 25th anniversary is a milestone to take stock of progress, confront persistent gaps, and renew our commitment to eradicate racism. Yet, commemoration alone is not enough. It must be matched by political will, adequate investment, effective monitoring, and tangible change in the lives of the people and communities affected by racism and racial discrimination. The central message of the group work in 2026 is therefore clear. We must move decisively from declaration to accountability. and from commitment to measurable results. I pay tribute to my predecessor, Mr. Joel Marisela Modeli, for his dedicated leadership in advancing the Group mandate, and to all members who have served the Group and sustained its work. The Group held its 12th session in Geneva from 5 to 8 May 2026. and its report A/HRC/63/75 was presented to the Human Rights Council on 30 September 2026. Four thematic discussions shaped its deliberation. The first discussions examined the growth of far-right movement and increasing use of securitization narratives that portray migrant racialized communities, and social differences as threat. Exclusionary conception of national, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural identity are used to simply complex challenge and redirect public frustrations towards marginalized communities, drawing on the enduring legacies of enslavement and colonization. Yet, these developments are not inevitable. They are the product of political choice, and they can be challenged. The group therefore call upon states to strengthen legal frameworks against the promotion of racial superiority, racism, and xenophobia; to establish early warning systems; support community-based prevention; and counter narrative, including in digital environment, in full conformity with international human rights law, including the freedom of expressions, associations, and political participation. The second discussions analyzed the distance between the commitment made in Durban and the realities experienced by affected communities. Evidence from the International Labor Organization showed persistent wage gaps and patterns of discrimination facing indigenous people and people of African descent in labor market. Contribution from the Federation of International Deaf Football Association and the World Health Organization demonstrated that racism continue to limit opportunity, participation, and access to care. Policies and institution matters, but they cannot be considered sufficient where racial inequalities persist. in employment, education, health, sport, public life, and access to justice. The group urges states to translate Durban commitment into measurable policy actions with clear guidance, benchmarks for implementation, and accountability mechanism. It also urges states to institutionalize mandatory anti-racism and anti-discrimination education at all levels of education. The group also retaliates its proposal for a new HCHR interactive dashboard to track states' acknowledgement of historical atrocities and the steps taken towards formal apologies and readdress. Implementation must ultimately be judged not only by commitment states have made, but by the changes those commitments brings to people's lives. The third discussion by the group examined how online leicism and harmful digital environment damages the mental health, well-being, and opportunities of leisureized young people. where unequal access to connectivity exclude children and communities from education, information, and participation. The group recommended that states and technology companies strengthen measures to prevent and address racism online and offline, invest in affordable and resilient digital connectivity, and ground artificial intelligence governance in human rights. non-discrimination, and the rights of the child. Anti-racism education, digital literacy, and critical thinking should equip young people to recognize and challenge racist narratives. Moreover, children and young people must be recognized not merely as recipients of protection, but active partners in shaping the policies that govern their digital life. The fourth discussions recognized that new technologies could help identify patterns of discrimination and strengthen evidence-based policies. Yet, system trained on historically biased data can produce or intensify discrimination, and predictive policing, mass surveillance, and automated decision-making raise particular concern where they lack transparency, oversight, and avenues of redress. The group therefore recommend that states integrate community-led evaluation of artificial intelligence into DDPA, monitoring, strengthening safeguards against discriminatory outcome, and invest in accessible data, translations, and capacity building so that affected community help determine what is measured and how evidence is interpreted. Technology must advance racial equality, not reproduce the very inequality that the DDPA seek to eliminate. In March 2026, on behalf of the group, I participated in a meeting organized by South African Department of Justice and Constitutional under the theme of building United Africa, joining hands together. The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing historical justice and building an inclusive institution. Mr. Chair, Excellencies, and distinguished delegate, the group work in 2026 has reaffirmed both the enduring relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the urgency of its implementation. One conclusion stands out: The time has come to move from commitment to accountability. I therefore urge Member States to adopt measurable implementation plans, report transparency on progress and resources, and support the Group in fulfilment of its mandate. The international community does not lack declarations of expression of concern. What it lacks is the implementation, adequate investment, transparent monitoring, and the political will to dismantle the structures and practices that perpetuate racial discrimination. We must invest in education, independent oversight, community-led initiatives, accessible data, and the participation of young people. We must ensure that technology innovation does not reproduce historical injustice, and we must measure progress honestly. Our responsibility is to translate the promise of Durban into concrete action in laws, in policies, in institutional practices, in the allocation of resources, and above all, in the lived experiences of the people whose rights continue to be violated by racism. The true measure of commitment will not be the number of declarations adopted or anniversaries commemorated; it will be the extent to which our actions dismantle discrimination restore dignity, and advance equality for all. Let us make accountability the defining principle of the next phase of the implementation. Let us match every commitment with resources, every recommendation with follow-ups, and every declaration with demonstrable progress. I thank you. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Ms. Bouguar. I now have great pleasure in passing the floor to the Chair Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Ms. Khadra Ahmed Hassan. You have the floor. You're welcome.

Thank you, Chairperson, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. This historic document adopted in 2001 in Durban provides a comprehensive framework for combating racism today and places the rights and dignity of victims at the center of efforts to promote equality and justice. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is more pertinent than ever in a world witnessing a backlash of human rights, worsening climate of racism, and increasing violence and intolerance. Contemporary manifestations of racism challenge us all, particularly those intertwined with race, ethnicity, religion, or belief, migration status, or other grounds of discrimination which are being amplified by algorithms and artificial intelligence. These challenges were not envisioned when the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted in 1965. That whole committee on the elaboration of complementary standard to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination placed a vital role in confronting new and emerging forms of racism by reinforcing the existing legal framework. The urgency of our work cannot be overstated. As contemporary manifestations of racism become increasingly transnational, technologically enabled, and complex, the need for effective prevention, accountability, protection, and remedies become ever more pressing. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, following the mandate of the Human Rights Council, I have prepared a document entitled Draft Elements for an Additional Protocol and Complementary Standard to the ICERD. This document was presented to the ad hoc committee during its 16th session. Chairperson, allow me to present the key highlights from our 16th session. The session was held in three segments. from 27 to 29 April and from 8 to 11 June, both included in my report, and a final segment that took place some days ago on 22 and 23 October. Many delegations expressed their commitment to this task and welcomed the introduction of a text to guide substantive discussions. They also highlighted the urgency of complementary standards to address contemporary manifestation of racism and emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach, focusing not only on criminalization, but also on prevention, education, awareness raising, and the rights and remedies of victims. While other States expressed the view that complementary standard to ICERD may not be necessary. In discussion of part one of the Chair's draft, which covers criminalization and cooperation, some delegations sought greater legal clarity on how the protocol would operate alongside ICERD, noting the need to complement but not expand or reinterpret the convention. Questions were also raised about the boundary between criminal and non-criminal measures included in the draft text. Delegation also debated on the definition of grounds of discrimination included in the draft text. Discussions seeking clarity and precision on the scope of criminal liability and the draft's provision on jurisdiction, extradition, and international cooperation also took place. In these areas, delegations sought consistency across provisions in the draft, greater clarity both in language used and in the structure of the draft and order of the provisions, and alignment with existing legal frameworks. Similarly, While there was broad recognition of the importance of procedural safeguards and victim protection, questions were raised whether the Protocol should reproduce extensive fair trials rights already contained in existing human rights instruments. On part two of the text, on prevention and suppression, there was discussion on how to distinguish conduct requiring criminal prosecution from conduct better addressed through prevention, education, awareness raising, and other non-criminal measures, as well as an acknowledgement that non-criminal measures may still apply even when criminal measures are taken. Several delegations questioned the need for detailed threshold criteria in the protocol. Delegations also considered how xenophobia should be defined and positioned in the protocol. including whether some forms of xenophobic conduct should trigger criminal measures. It was also noted that some of the measures to combat xenophobia in the draft text should also apply to other forms of racial discrimination. The debate on grounds for discrimination and its inclusion in the Protocol continued as the discussion on the definition of grounds of discrimination triggered debate over expanding discrimination grounds beyond those contained in ICERD. While several delegations supported broader recognition of multiple forms of discrimination, including gender, others argued that the Protocol should remain closely linked to racial discrimination and related grounds. Delegations generally supported addressing racial profiling and the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies and cyberspace-related harms and strengthening these provisions. On part 2, The final clauses, there was general acceptance that the Committee on the ISERD would monitor implementation of the Protocol through existing ISERD reporting and communications procedures. Following the conclusion of the June segment, I restructured the text for greater clarity and coherence in line with comments received by Member States during the first two segments. This restructured text has been discussed during the last segment of the 16th session. In addition to that, I will make the necessary amendments and proposals considering the comments received from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The revised version will be discussed during the 17th session of the Ad Hoc Committee, which will take place in April 2027. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the Ad Hoc Committee has moved from general debates to a concrete text-based proposal and engagement. The stakes are high for victims in need of protection, redress, and an end to impunity. They are also high for societies that are under strain due to the corrosive effects of racial hatred, both online and offline. Our responsibility is not merely to discuss these challenges, but to ensure that Member States are equipped to respond to those challenges. but also to send the appropriate political message to combat racial hatred and racial discrimination. I call on all Member States to engage constructively, bridge the differences, and maintain the momentum to advance the work of the Ad Hoc Committee with a sense of purpose and unity, guided by the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity. I am committed to working with all Member States, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders so that we can draw up a strong, modern, universal protocol that captures new and evolving forms of racial discrimination in all regions of the world. And I thank you for your attention.

Thank you, Chair Rapporteur, for that report. I now have pleasure in passing to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Ms. Ashwini K.P., you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to once again address the General Assembly. I thank Member States for their cooperation with my mandate, including those who submitted information for my report. I also thank Austria, which I visited from 2nd to 9th December 2025, and Canada, which I visited from 28th September to 9th October. this year as part of my official country visit. Today, I present two reports. My first report examines the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, focusing on the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. My second report concerns efforts to combat the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and related ideologies. My first report is situated within the broader framework of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in 2001, which remains a significant international anti-racism framework to addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. 25 years after the adoption of the DDPA. Technology has transformed our societies, but the structural inequalities it sought to address persist and are being reproduced, amplified, and embedded in digital environments and beyond. The report examines how the commitments contained in the declaration must be understood and implemented in the context of rapidly evolving digital technologies. The report examines a range of manifestations of racial discrimination in digital environments. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are often presented as neutral and objective. However, they also raise serious human rights concern when existing patterns of racial discrimination are reproduced, reinforced, and intensified through their design and use. These systems are frequently built on data and institutional practices shaped by historical and contemporary inequalities. These technologies do not emerge in a vacuum. They are developed in societies still affected by the legacies of colonialism, enslavement, apartheid, and racial segregation, and by persistent systemic and structural racism. They therefore risk encoding past discrimination into future decisions. and the current manifestations. A further concern addressed in the report is the use of artificial intelligence systems in areas such as policing, criminal justice, education, healthcare, and other public services, where such systems rely on biased data, lack of transparency, or operate without effective human oversight. They risk and have reproduced existing inequalities, resulting in discriminatory outcomes. My report highlights how algorithmic systems can disproportionately affect racialized communities, and the development and application must therefore be assessed against its obligation under international human rights law. Within the intersection of digital technology and racism, online racist hate speech has become a powerful vehicle for disseminating racism, hate speech, and intolerance. And digital technologies have transformed the speed, scale, and reach of racial hatred, while recommendation systems, algorithmic amplification, and platform business models incentivize engagement without sufficient regard for human rights and least consideration for the harms and adverse impact it can have on racialized communities. Many racialized communities consequently experience unequal protection online. Africans, people of African descent, Indigenous people, Roma communities, migrants, Muslims, caste-oppressed communities, communities affected by descent-based discrimination, Palestinians, Jewish people, and other racialized and marginalized groups face discrimination, hate, harassment, and dehumanization in digital spaces, which in several instances has translated into violence. The arms are often intersectional. The report also highlights the particular risk faced by women and girls who are subjected to technology facilitated forms of gender-based and racialized abuse and violence. Racial and gender bias can combine in ways overlooked when each is considered separately. Women and girls from racialized communities, particularly women of African descent, Indigenous and Roma women, caste-oppressed women, Muslim and Palestinian women face distinct risk of misidentification, exclusion, harassment, surveillance, and stereotyping online. My report therefore calls for an intersectional approach to regulation related to artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. The Durban Declaration recognized racism as a global problem requiring a universal and comprehensive response by member states and various institutions. 25 years later, this principle remains relevant and unprecedentedly pertinent in the current social-political landscape. Equality, non-discrimination, participation, accountability, and transparency, and access to remedy must be central to governing digital technologies and artificial intelligence. I urge states to move beyond voluntary commitments and develop comprehensive regulatory framework grounded in international human rights law, in line with DDPA. These should require human rights due diligence, independent oversight, transparency, effective remedies, and meaningful participation by affected communities. The report also advances a reparatory justice perspective. Digital inequalities are often rooted in historical injustices, whose effect continue to shape access to technology, data, resources, representation, and power. Addressing racial discrimination in the digital age requires preventing future harms while confronting inherited structural inequalities. So the central message of this report is that the digital transformation must not become a means through which historical and structural forms of racial discrimination are reproduced and entrenched. The commitments undertaken through the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action must be translated into effective safeguards, institutional accountability, meaningful protection in the digital environment. I now turn to my second report concerning the combating of glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and other practices that contribute to failing contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 80/192. The report sets out the applicable international legal framework, presents information from member states, and analyzes contemporary manifestation and trends. Neo-Nazism and related forms of extremism continue to evolve rapidly, particularly in digital environment. The report observes with serious concern that glorification of Nazism and neo-Nazism is no longer confined to isolated groups or identifiable extremist organizations. Contemporary manifestations increasingly involve transnational, decentralized, and digitally connected networks which use online platforms to spread hate. I call on States to prevent these harms, ensure accountability, and protect affected communities, and my recommendations include stronger measures against racist hate speech, xenophobic political discourse, and online extremist content, adequately resourced national action plans, and ensure effective remedies for victims and survivors, sustained investment in education, public awareness, historical understanding, and the meaningful participation of affected communities, including collection of disaggregated data. States also must protect journalists, human rights defenders, anti-racism advocates, and affected communities working on issues related to anti-racism. The findings underline that combating the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism requires sustained political commitment, effective implementation of international obligations, and coordinated action at the national and international levels. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, lastly, I unequivocally condemn the US government sanctions against the International Criminal Court, as well as the prolonged sanctions against the ICC judges and the Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Ms. Francesca Albanese, and the increasing attacks against special procedures more broadly. These actions violate international law and undermine the core integrity and ethos of the UN human rights system, including special procedures as a whole. I call on States and urge them to decisively reject and refuse to enforce these sanctions, and I urge the United States to immediately rescind them. I thank you for your attention and look forward to a constructive interactive dialogue.

Thank you, Special Rapporteur. I very much appreciate that report. I have some 19 speakers, which gives you an astonishing seven minutes per intervention, should you wish to take it. And the first group of speakers will be Pakistan, followed by Ethiopia, Russian Federation, South Africa, Brazil, European Union, Ireland, Malta, Venezuela, and Uganda. Pakistan, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We express gratitude to all of the distinguished speakers for their insight and analysis. Pakistan is alarmed at the mounting incidents of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance worldwide. Particularly disturbing is the use of digital technologies. against minority populations and vulnerable communities. Despite serious concerns expressed by my delegation and many Member States in the Third Committee, it is deeply concerning that in discrimination, xenophobia, Islamophobia, intolerance, and exclusionary practices not only continue to fester, but also have been politically mainstreamed. We would like to ask the briefers and special rapporteurs, how we can evolve a comprehensive regulatory framework so that digital platforms are not exploited for the propagation of racism and hate ideology. Thank you.

Thank you, Pakistan. Ethiopia, on behalf of the African Group, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Africa Group. We thank the chair reporters and special reporter for their presentations and affirm our support for their mandates. Their work highlights critical interconnected priorities, mobilizing public action, strengthening legal protection, and confronting evolving manifestations of racism. 25 years since the adoption of the DDPA, this seminal blueprint remains key to getting rid of the scourge of racism, xenophobia and related intolerances, while understanding how contemporary forms of racism are inextricably linked to their historical manifestations. The African Group stressed that renewed commitment to Durban must produce measurable improvements in the lives of affected communities. In this regard, we welcome the eminent experts' attention to education, young people, and safeguards against racial discrimination in artificial intelligence. We reiterate that education must address the histories and continuing consequences of enslavement, colonialism, and apartheid, while recognizing the contributions of Africans and people of African descent. The African Group is also grateful for the work conducted by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, Ms. Ashwini. Her findings on neo-Nazi and racial supremacist networks, their growing influence, and the recruitment of young people through digital platforms are deeply troubling. We condemn the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and all ideologies of racial superiority. It is essential for states to strengthen implementation of the Convention, including its provisions on racist propaganda and incitement. Technology companies must also exercise human rights due diligence and address systems that amplify racist content. Victims must have accessible complaints mechanisms and effective remedies. International cooperation is essential to confront networks operating across borders. The African Group also welcomes the ad hoc committee's consideration of draft elements for an additional protocol to the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The group reiterates its support for complementary standards addressing substantive and procedural gaps in protection, including against xenophobia, racial profiling, and incitement to racial and religious hatred. We urge constructive negotiations towards clear, enforceable standards that strengthen prevention, accountability, and remedies consistent with international human rights law. Mr. Chair, we have three questions for the distinguished briefers. First, Ms. Mbugwa, how can young people be more effectively involved in implementing and monitoring national anti-racism policies? Second, Ambassador Khadra Hamd Hassan, where is the convergence most needed to advance complementary standards that respond to contemporary racism, including in digital space? The last and third one is for Madam Special Rapporteur: What practical international cooperation would best counter transnational racist networks and online recruitment, while strengthening protection for affected communities? I thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Ethiopia. I pass to the Russian Federation, to be followed by South Africa. Russian Federation, you have the floor.

Mr. Chairman, the Russian Federation reaffirms its dedication to unstinting compliance with the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. We also support the work of the specialized human rights bodies of the UN in the context of their authority. I’d like to thank separately the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ms. Ashwini, for her report on the implementation of the provisions of the UNGA resolution on the combating of the glorification of Nazism, which is adopted every year on Russia’s initiative. We’re compelled to agree with one of the conclusions of the study that manifestations of neo-Nazism and related forms of xenophobia and intolerance have continued to develop at swifter a swifter pace. We see in this a reaffirmation of the need for good faith implementation by states of the implementations of specialized resolutions seeking to consistently rectify the existing situation based on international law and intergovernmental cooperation. The results of the voting on Russia's initiatives in the Third Committee and in the plenary session of the UNGA consistently demonstrate the strong support coming from the global majority. It's only the collective West who, year in and year out, are opposing the adoption of this document and any attempt at any other international efforts to eliminate manifestations of racism and xenophobia. We call upon all countries that agree that it’s necessary to wage an implacable struggle against discrimination and the ideology of supremacy to co-sponsor Russia’s draft. Thank you.

Thank you, Russian Federation. I pass the floor to South Africa, followed by Brazil. South Africa, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. South Africa aligns with the statement made by Ethiopia on behalf of the African Group. We thank all three special mandate holders that have briefed the committee this afternoon. The work conducted by all of these mechanisms remain important in combating racism and xenophobia. Ms. Ashwini, your report on digital technologies is one critical step towards eliminating algorithmic bias and racism within emerging technologies. South Africa sincerely appreciates the work of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 25 years after its adoption, we can note progress, but also the need for better implementation. We agree with the Chair Rapporteur that progress is not the same as transformation, and shares the concern that gradual progress allows for structural inequalities and systemic racism to persist. Societies require transformations that are grounded in multi-layered approaches that include, inter alia, revised school curriculums, social campaigns, and government policies. Alongside this, government should facilitate the direct involvement of the private sector and academia in combating these scourges of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerances, while promoting inclusivity on the basis of race, gender, sex, or ethnicity. Similarly, South Africa thanks the Chair Rapporteur and the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination for their ongoing work. We remain convinced that this work is imperative as we seek to develop a strengthened global normative framework for combating racial discrimination. Broadly, we have heard the argument from some Member States that implementation of the current Convention is more important than updating the Convention. We believe both are valid and necessary, as the complementary standard should allow us to close the substantive and procedural gaps to the ICERD, including on xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, propagation of racist and xenophobic attacks through cyberspace, racial profiling, and incitement to racial, ethnic, and religious hatred. The victims of profiling in these areas require of us better protection, maximum remedies, and total elimination of impunity for the perpetration of these acts of racism. How would you respond to the suggestion that there should be a greater focus on implementation than that of improving international law on this matter? Thank you.

Thank you, South Africa. Brazil, followed by EU. Brazil, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brazil thanks the Chair Rapporteur, Ms. Salome Mmbunga, for her briefing on the implementation of the DDPA, and the Chair Rapporteur, Ms. Khadra Ahmed Hassan, for her briefing on the elaboration of complementary standards to ICERD. Brazil welcomes the reports of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ms. Ashwini K.P. The multiple forms of discrimination and intolerance in digital environments threaten democracy, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence. Brazil has adopted measures to strengthen anti-racist policies, including monitoring and reporting mechanisms, digital literacy, human rights education, and accountability for hate speech, alongside protections for migrants, refugees, and religious minorities. Brazil supports the Special Rapporteur's recommendations to strengthen anti-discrimination legislation, ensure its effective implementation and independent monitoring, and improve access to justice for victims. Our legal framework criminalizes racism, and judicial decisions in recent years have expanded these protections to various vulnerable groups. We also recognize the urgent need to address online hate speech, including content amplified by artificial intelligence, through transparent, rights-based measures. Brazil's commitment to human rights, education, and historical memory aligns with recommendations to prevent youth radicalization and promote awareness of the Holocaust, slavery, and colonialism. Furthermore, in 2025, the Brazilian Supreme Court decided that tech companies have an obligation to implement due diligence regarding online hate speech. Madam Special Rapporteur, my delegation would welcome your views on how States and international organizations can best cooperate with digital platforms to ensure that algorithms and artificial intelligence systems are transparent and do not inadvertently amplify neo-Nazi or racist narratives. I thank you.

Thank you, Brazil. European Union, followed by Ireland. European Union, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur, the Chair-Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards, and the Chair of the Group of Eminent Experts on the implementation of the DDPA for their reports. The three reports presented highlight a clear trend: digital spaces and artificial intelligence are drivers of discrimination, including through misinformation, exclusionary narrative, and algorithm engineering. The EU remains firmly committed to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Christian hatred, both offline and online. We share concerns regarding the resurgence of extremist ideologies and the role that digital technologies can play in amplifying discrimination. Efforts to address such challenges must remain fully consistent with international human rights law, including the rights to freedom of expression, privacy, and non-discrimination. AI systems must be developed and used in a manner that is human centering, transparent, and fully respects, protects, and promotes human rights by design. Addressing algorithmic bias and preventing the amplification of hateful content is essential, and online platforms must do better. While safety by design is an important feature, education and digital literacy for children and adults is also increasingly important. Artificial intelligence is a tool, and as with any tool, it is important to understand how to use it. The European Union reaffirms its support for the effective implementation of existing international human rights obligations and standards, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In this regard, the EU believes there is no need for complementary standards or an additional protocol to the ICERD, which remains capable of addressing new and contemporary challenges. Duplicating norms can also easily lead to fragmentation of existing international human rights obligations. The ICERD, to which all EU member states are state parties, should remain the basis of our efforts to prevent, combat, and eradicate racism. We remain committed to constructive dialogue and cooperation in advancing equality, combating discrimination, and promoting inclusive societies. Finally, we would be interested in hearing from the speakers about practical examples of effective cooperation between states, technology companies, and civil society that have shown the greatest promise in countering online hatred while safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Thank you.

Thank you, European Union. I pass to Ireland, to be followed by Malta. Ireland, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the EU and thanks the experts for their reports. Ireland remains deeply concerned by the trends highlighted across the reports regarding the use of emerging technologies, including AI, to produce, disseminate, and amplify harmful and discriminatory content. We underscored the need for strengthened efforts to address global governance in this period of rapid acceleration of AI technologies, recognizing both the challenges they present, but also the opportunities they offer. To ensure that AI governance delivers more inclusive, effective, and trusted outcomes, it must be informed by expertise and reflect diverse perspectives. Racism, discrimination, and inequalities prevent the full realization and enjoyment of universal human rights. and conflict with the core principles of democracy. Ireland stands firm in its commitment to counter all forms of racism, both online and offline, and continue to strive to promote a tolerant and inclusive society. Chair, we would be interested to hear from the speakers about how best we can engage the multilateral system to adopt concrete human rights-based actions to tackle challenges posed by new technologies, in particular in the production and dissemination of discriminatory content and to guard against racial bias. I thank you.

Thank you, Ireland. Malta followed by Venezuela. Malta have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Malta aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and thanks the briefers for their reports. At the outset, Malta reaffirms its commitment to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all their forms. The reports presented today highlight several concerning trends. Persistent structural inequalities continue to sustain racism, while digital technologies, including algorithms and AI, increasingly amplify hatred, extremist ideologies, and discriminatory bias. Intolerant rhetoric is gaining acceptance in public discourse, and gaps remain between legal frameworks and their enforcement, including in the monitoring of online hate. These trends demand a comprehensive and sustained response, with a strong emphasis on prevention, accountability for perpetrators, effective remedies and support for affected communities, in consistency with international human rights law. The implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination remains central to this effort. Malta stresses the importance of protecting journalists, human rights defenders, and anti-racism activists who speak out against racism. Addressing threats and harassment against them, particularly online, is integral to an effective response to all forms of racism and intolerance. At the national level, Malta's efforts to combat racism, hate speech, and structural discrimination are guided by our National Action Plan against Racism 2025-2030, which outlines a comprehensive framework of strategic actions centered on governance, legal reform, training, research, and intersectional support. Building on this, how can Member States address online hate and disinformation campaigns while safeguarding fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression? I thank you.

Thank you, Malta. I pass to Venezuela, and then following Venezuela, we will have Uganda, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Egypt, India, Kenya, Israel, Norway, Islamic Republic of Iran, and Sovereign Order of Malta, and that will conclude our session. So, Venezuela, you have the floor.

Mr. Chairman, we are grateful to you and the rapporteurs for this very important meeting. At the 25th anniversary of the Durban Programme of Action, Venezuela reiterates the importance of continuing to strengthen international efforts geared towards preventing and eliminating racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. In this context, Venezuela has tried to incorporate these principles into its foreign policy and public policy to promote equality and to stamp out racial discrimination. This is also reflected in the commemoration every 10th of May of the Day for Venezuelans of African Descent. We welcome the recent organization of the second International Decade for Persons of African Descent and the renewal of the Rapporteur's mandate, and we hope that there will soon be a UN declaration adopted on the human rights of persons of African descent and the additional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Mr. Chairman, condemning racism in the present is not enough. We must also address the errors of the past. We believe that we need to recognize the prolonged consequences of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, and we need to take specific measures to impart justice, such as sincere apologies and the repatriation of goods and assets to their countries of origin. We must In this context, state that unilateral coercive measures are in practice a modern form of systematic discrimination that affects millions of people throughout the world. That is why we reiterate our appeal and our demand for these measures to be lifted immediately. At the same time, the digital era raises new challenges for us to address. There is a risk that digital environments and artificial intelligence disseminate xenophobia and hate speech. We need to have international safeguards to deal with these challenges and threats. With the same spirit in mind, we also condemn Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Mr. Chair, Venezuela reaffirms its multilateralist vocation and its historic struggle against racism and all forms of exclusion, with the certainty that mutual recognition and solidarity between peoples will make it possible for us to realize the founding goals of the United Nations: justice and sustainable development for all, without any kind of discrimination. I thank you.

Thank you, Venezuela. Uganda, followed by Bangladesh. Uganda, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's an honor for the Republic of Uganda to take the floor on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, NAM. The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms the positions agreed during its 19th Summit held in January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, condemning all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including the platforms and activities related thereto, which constitute serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as impede equal opportunity. Moreover, the Member States of the Movement seize this opportunity to remind the international community to preserve its recognition that slavery and slave trade, including transatlantic slave trade, are crimes against humanity, and that the legacies of slavery and slave trade, colonialism, foreign occupation, alien domination, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other forms of substitute have manifested themselves in poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion, and economic disparity. disparities for the developing world. In addition, the movement welcomes the adoption of the political declaration of the high-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and further expresses deep concern about the use of new and emerging information and communication technologies, including the Internet and artificial intelligence, for purposes contrary to human rights and universal values, equality, non-discrimination, respect for others and tolerance, including to propagate racism, racial hatred, xenophobia, racial discrimination, and related intolerance, while recognizing that such technologies can assist in the promotion of tolerance, respect for human dignity, and the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and emphasizing the need to respect human rights in the digital environment. With this in mind, Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement reiterated calls for reparatory justice, including measures listed in paragraph 157 and 158 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and measures from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, such as formal apologies, the repatriation of colonial objects, artifacts, and human remains of ancestors, and other specific measures to address the lasting consequences of colonialism and transatlantic slavery. The non-aligned movement, while recalling its firm opposition to all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, and expressing serious concern on the resurgence of contemporary forms of such abhorrent crimes in various parts of the world, the heads of state and government commended the ongoing progress made by States at the national, regional, and international levels, focusing on the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Member States of the Movement expressed grave concern at the increasing incidents of intolerance, discrimination, and acts of violence in the world, and reiterating the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among religions, cultures, civilizations for the furtherance of peace and harmony in the world and spreading value values of tolerance and peace to counter and confront hate speech, fanaticism, extremism, violence, and incitement. To conclude, the movement emphasizes the need to address with greater resolve and political will all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all spheres of life and in all parts of the world, including all those under foreign occupation. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Uganda. I pass to Bangladesh, followed by Malaysia. Bangladesh, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We thank the briefers for presenting their reports and their important work. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of NAM. Bangladesh reaffirms its strong commitment to eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. Our constitution rejects imperialism, colonialism, racism, and oppression. It also prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of race, religion, or gender. We have unwavering solidarity with oppressed peoples around the world. Bangladesh actively champions a culture of peace to foster tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. Bangladesh is a party to all nine core human rights treaties and attaches great importance to the full, meaningful, and effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Bangladesh welcomes the adoption of the political declaration of the high-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of DDPA. Mr. Chair, Bangladesh expresses its serious concerns over the findings of the Special Rapporteur regarding the growing spread of racial hatred and xenophobia through digital platforms. The increasing use of digital technologies to spread racial hatred, recruit young people into extremist groups, and target migrants, refugees, and religious minorities is troubling. We are also concerned by the normalization of anti-migrant rhetoric and religious hatred, including Islamophobia, in public discourse. We strongly condemn all forms of racism, religious hatred, and intolerance, and stress the need for strong accountability. Mr. Chair, Bangladesh welcomes the progress made by the ad hoc committee in considering the draft elements for an additional protocol to the Convention. We believe that emerging forms of discrimination, including online hate speech, racial profiling, algorithmic bias, and religious intolerance, need strong international cooperation and measures for prevention, protection, and accountability. We also welcome the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination's recommendations on addressing xenophobia against migrants and its continued work on reparatory justice for the lasting consequences of colonialism and slavery. Mr. Chair, we call for strong collective efforts to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, hate speech, xenophobia, and related intolerance. We must also invest in education, awareness raising and dialogue so that future generations understand the grave consequences of racism and hatred and learn to respect diversity and human dignity. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Bangladesh. I pass to Malaysia, then Egypt. Malaysia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Malaysia thanks all mandate holders for their presentation and reports. We wish to focus our intervention on the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary form of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ms. Ashwini K.P. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, DDPA, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. We share the special rapporteur’s concern that digital technologies and artificial intelligence are creating new avenues for racial hatred and discrimination. The rapid spread of online hate speech, discriminatory algorithms, and dehumanizing narratives underscore the urgent need to translate our commitments under the DDPA into concrete actions. Malaysia is particularly disturbed by the report findings on the dissemination of dehumanizing narrative targeting Palestinians, including incitement of violence, online harassment, and the suppression of Palestinian voices through discriminatory content moderation practices. These developments demonstrate how digital platforms can perpetuate discrimination, fuel hostility, and contribute to an environment conducive to violence. Malaysia reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of Israel’s continued aggression against the Palestinian people. We must not allow digital platforms to become instruments for normalizing hatred. silencing Palestinian voices, or obscuring grave violations of international law. Mr. Chair, as a multicultural nation, Malaysia attaches fundamental importance to unity in diversity. Guided by our national principle, the Rukun Negara, the National Unity Policy, and the 13th Malaysian Plan, we continue to promote social cohesion and address the root causes of prejudice and inequality. Malaysia believes that combating racism in the digital age requires stronger international cooperation, greater accountability of technology companies, and effective safeguards against discriminatory practices, while ensuring that developing countries are not left behind in shaping digital governance. Against this backdrop, Malaysia wishes to ask the Special Rapporteur: How can international cooperation be strengthened ensure greater accountability of digital platform for the dissemination and amplification of racial hatred, particularly in conflict-affected setting, while ensuring that developing countries have the necessary capacity to address these challenges. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Malaysia. I pass to Egypt and India. Egypt, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Warm welcome to the Chairperson of the Group of Eminent Persons, the Chair Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee, and the Special Rapporteur on Racism. Egypt aligns itself with the African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement. Egypt welcomes the introduction by the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards, Her Excellency Ambassador Khadra Ahmed, of a draft additional protocol which provides, for the first time, a concrete basis for intergovernmental negotiations. This is a significant step forward in advancing this process. We reiterate our unwavering support for the mandate of this ad hoc committee as an intergovernmental platform tasked with advancing the elaboration of complementary standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Egypt underscores the importance of continuing to build on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, DDPA, as well as the mandate provided by the Human Rights Council decision 3/103. with a view to ensuring a comprehensive, coordinated and effective response and the provision of adequate remedies for victims. We express deep concern over the alarming and persistent recurrence of racism, racial supremacy and religious intolerance, including in the form of increasing manifestations of hatred against individuals and communities on the basis of their religion or belief, which in many instances are closely intertwined with racial, ethnic and national origin discrimination. These trends are increasingly fueled by political narratives and are compounded by systematic and structural discrimination, manifesting in profiling, hate crimes, and the spread of incitement through digital platforms against people of African descent, Muslims, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. We continue to expect that the Protocol pays the necessary attention to the different and evolving forms of incitement to hatred and stigmatization. as well as the wide scale and deep impact of the use of digital and emerging technologies. On the other hand, and in the context of the 25th anniversary of the DDPA, we express our profound appreciation to Special Rapporteur Ashwini on the issues covered by her mandate in the context of the digital environment. We share several of the observations and recommendations included in this report. Given the limited existence of comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks in the area of digital and emerging technology, what can be the possible avenues for further engagement with the private sector with a view of addressing the heightened risks associated with the deployment of these technologies, particularly through preventing and addressing the vulnerabilities resulting from algorithmic bias and deepfake inflammatory rhetoric? I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Egypt. I pass to India, then Kenya. India, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. My delegation takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur and shares our concern about the misuse of digital technologies to spread hatred and abuse. Its rapid amplification through digital platforms and now through artificial intelligence has made addressing the issues of digital technology more complex and more critical. My delegation is acutely aware of this issue. Indians across the world increasingly face discrimination, hate, and at times fatal xenophobia for the color of our skin, our faith, our dress, our food, and our status as migrant workers. Something that the SR felt not compelled enough to be mentioned. Social media's engagement-driven algorithms amplify negative content. while anonymity and the absence of meaningful consequences embolden individuals. It is in this context that the Government of India took well-thought-out measures. India’s IT rules obligate social media companies to maintain robust content policies, appoint grievance officers who are obligated to respond to complaints within a day, resolve them with strict timeframes, and trace the originators of inflammatory and derogatory content. the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, State Cyber Cells, and CERT-in (Support, Prevention, Reporting, and Response). These mechanisms are complemented by capacity building for police and judicial officers and public awareness on safe online conduct. The SAHYOG portal enables authorized agencies to notify intermediaries of unlawful content in a traceable manner, consistent with national law. Instances mentioned in the SRS report only confirm our worst fears. Bad faith actors misuse the technology for development, for sowing division, fear, and denigrating the dignity of human beings. Regarding instances mentioned on India, the government coordinated with police agencies, which registered cases and arrested multiple suspects linked to the applications and their spread. Authorities worked with the hosting platform, GitHub, which removed the repositories, blocked the associated user accounts, and cooperated with investigating requests. These actions show that Indian law and institutions respond promptly to technology-facilitated abuse of women. The National Commission for Women also took suo motu cognizance of both, adding additional impetus for the law enforcement agencies. Although the incident took place in 2022, The steps taken by the state to address and mitigate them have been conveniently left out. In our understanding, reports are most valuable when they identify measures that have worked in practice, so that state members can learn from one another. Finger pointing and naming and shaming only adds to the shrill voices which contribute little to moving the needle on the ground. Single implementation rests with states. The recommendations are most useful when grounded in operational experience than armchair recommendations, and when they acknowledge actions already taken. We hope the SRs, especially those dealing with sensitive issues, keep these in mind to make the reports useful. India will continue to engage constructively with the mandate. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, India. Kenya, followed by Israel, can you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Serbia aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group, NAM, and thanks the briefers for their briefings, comprehensive reports, and steadfast commitment to these important mandates. The horrors of Nazism, like Africa's own experience of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, reminds us that ideologies of racial superiority, once tolerated, inevitably leads to atrocities. We therefore reject the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and all doctrines of racial hierarchy in all their forms and manifestations. This position is firmly grounded in international law, with the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination remaining the cornerstone of our collective efforts to combat racism and racial discrimination. Kenya also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to the Second International Decade for People of African Descent. Against this historical backdrop, Kenya considers this report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance timely. We note with grave concern It's findings that these ideologies are reaching wider audience through digital networks and AI-enabled platforms, where engagement-driven algorithms increasingly draw young people towards such content. Chair, we share the Special Rapporteur's assessment that the central challenge is often not the absence of law, but its effective implementation. The obligations we have undertaken under the Convention must therefore be matched by political will, strong institutions, and meaningful accountability. In this regard, Kenya stands ready to work with all delegations to translate our shared obligations into concrete action, strengthen accountability, and uphold the dignity and equal rights of all. I thank you.

Thank you, Kenya. Israel, followed by Norway. Israel, have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Israel reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating racism, racial discrimination, and all forms of intolerance. We also reiterate our long-standing position on Durban, the conference which has served as a platform for hate, antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and the delegitimization of Israel since its inception. We direct our intervention to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Madam Special Rapporteur. Israel welcomes your report on combating the glorification of Nazism and neo-Nazism, particularly its recognition of the dangers of Holocaust distortion, Nazi inversion, and antisemitism, including comparisons between Israel or Jews and Nazi Germany. It would have been welcome to hear it also in your speech. Unfortunately, these are not lessons of the past. Since the October 7 Hamas massacre, Antisemitism has surged worldwide. From harassment in schools and universities to deadly attacks on Jewish communities online, Holocaust distortion and Nazi imagery are increasingly used to demonize Israel. Israelis and Jewish people are being profiled constantly. Your second report, which unfortunately was circulated only on Friday, presented an opportunity to examine the online spread of this hatred. Instead, the report echoes a joint communication with Francesca Albanese, who has repeatedly engaged in Holocaust distortion. She publicly endorsed a comparison between Israel Prime Minister and Adolf Hitler, and has invoked the Third Reich and Nazi concentration camps in describing Israel's actions. This is exactly the Nazi inversion that your own report condemns. The United Nations must be a shield against antisemitism, not another place where it's tolerated and allowed to fester. Its credibility in confronting racism depends on its willingness to address prejudice within its own institutions. Our question is, how will you ensure that the standards against Holocaust distortion and Nazi inversion outlined in your report are upheld constantly, including within the UN human rights system itself? I thank you.

Thank you, Israel. I pass to Norway, then Islamic Republic of Iran. Norway, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. We thank all the special mandate holders for their briefings this afternoon. Combating racism is crucial. Racial discrimination fuels hate and violence, and it denies the truth that all humans are born free and equal in worth and rights. We are deeply concerned by the global rise in discrimination and racism that we see both online and offline. We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s timely focus on challenges posed by digital technologies and artificial intelligence, including their impact on hate speech and discriminatory digital environments. We must strengthen our efforts to fight all forms of racism, discrimination, and intolerance. And we must also be mindful of the increasing challenges posed by antisemitism and Islamophobia, which are two forms of racism that are distinct but often interact. Chair, the UN provides a unique platform for combating racism. Among other things, it can help set global standards, monitor country situations, and give victims and survivors a voice. Norway remains committed to preserving space for dialogue and constructive engagement to help bridge differing views and avoid polarization. Importantly, processes for combating racism must remain wholly inclusive. Special Rapporteur, what steps can we take to achieve broader consensus in the work to combat racism, in particular in light of the increased challenges posed by new and emerging technologies? I thank you.

Thank you, Norway. Islamic Republic of Iran, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Special Rapporteur’s report draws attention to the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and other practices that fuel contemporary forms of racism and intolerance. However, combating racism requires addressing not only its historical manifestations, but also contemporary rhetoric that dehumanizes entire peoples and threatens their collective existence. The statement by the President of the United States that an entire Iranian civilization could be destroyed raises profound concern. Such rhetoric goes far beyond political disagreement. It threatens the historical, cultural, and human foundations of a nation whose civilization spans millennia. When an entire people and their civilization are portrayed as legitimate targets for destruction, we must ask whether such rhetoric perpetuates the very patterns of dehumanization, cultural hierarchy, and intolerance that the international community has committed itself to combating. The same concerns must be raised regarding the grave situation in Palestine, where the Palestinian people have endured decades of occupation, dispossession, systematic discrimination, and the denial of their fundamental rights. We therefore call upon the international community to unequivocally reject threats against civilizations, racist and dehumanizing rhetoric, and any attempt to normalize the collective punishment of entire populations. Accountability must be pursued wherever credible evidence establishes violations of international law, including in the occupied Palestinian territory. Combating contemporary racism requires consistency, the rejection of double standards, and respect for the equal dignity of all peoples, irrespective of their nationality, culture, and historical identity. This entails standing firmly against racism and discrimination wherever they occur, including those directed against and in relation to the Palestinian people. Finally, I would like to pose a question: How does the Special Rapporteur assess statements by the President of the United States that openly contemplates about the destruction of entire civilization. I thank you.

Thank you, Iran. Sovereign Order of Malta is the last intervention.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance continue to divide societies and deny people one of the most fundamental human experiences. the ability to live with dignity. While the manifestations may change, the consequences remain profoundly human. People continue to face barriers to health care, education, employment, and participation in society because of their race, nationality, origin, religion, or identity. For humanitarian organizations, this challenge is especially significant. Conflict, displacement, poverty, and natural disasters often deepen existing inequalities, while refugees and internally displaced persons may face additional barriers because of their nationality or ethnicity. In 2025, approximately 118 million people worldwide were displaced from their homes. including 68.7 million internally displaced persons. Through its health programs, the Sovereign Order of Malta's International Relief Agency supported more than 700,000 refugees and internally displaced people in 2025. In Lebanon, our International Relief Agency, in the Order of Malta Lebanon, supported more than 85,000 people with health services in 2025, providing more than 205,000 medical consultations. Mobile clinics serve refugees and settlements in isolated regions alongside local host communities. This demonstrates what equality means in practice, ensuring that access to health care is not determined by nationality, displacement, status, or place of origin. In Bangladesh, our international relief agency has supported health posts in three Rohingya refugee camps since 2017, serving approximately 57,000 refugees. Working alongside local actors, community health workers, and refugee volunteers helps strengthen trust, continuity, and community ownership. Chair, The Sovereign Order of Malta believes that combating racism requires more than rejecting prejudice in principle. It requires creating societies in which every person can access essential services and humanitarian assistance without discrimination. For more than nine centuries, the Order of Malta has carried out its medical, social, and humanitarian mission without distinction. of race, nationality, religion, or gender. This principle remains at the heart of our work today. We therefore encourage member states to strengthen protections for equal access to essential services, ensure that humanitarian programs are genuinely inclusive, and provide meaningful opportunities for affected communities to participate in decisions that concern them. We further call for greater efforts to address hate speech and dehumanizing narratives, including online narratives, while ensuring that new technologies do not reproduce existing inequalities. Humanitarian action cannot eliminate the structural causes of discrimination on its own, but it can demonstrate what a response based on dignity and equality looks like. Our shared responsibility is is not simply to tolerate difference, but to build societies in which difference is never a barrier to dignity, protection, or participation. I thank you.

I thank the Sovereign Order of Malta. And now we will revert to responses to questions or further comments by each of our speakers in the same order that we commenced. And so let me start off with the Chief Rapporteur of the Durban Declaration, and you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, and thank you everybody who have raised questions and have also highlighted what you have represented. I just wanted to highlight on the youth, because that's an area that was asked by the Ethiopian and then African, representing the African group. And I would like to emphasize that young people must be recognized not only as beneficially of anti-racism initiative, but also as active change or active agent. They can transform, you know, lives as well. And we have seen them in some countries where they're really working hard on issues of climate change and how it have worked very well by them raising awareness. You know, they are very innovative. They can use the media properly if they are worked with or if they are given the guidelines to do so. And I just wanted to say, in terms of empowering young people to become agent of change, we must support young people to understand, especially leucism, its historical roots, and its contemporary manifestations. So without equipping them with knowledge and understanding, it would be difficult. But if they're given the tools and equipped on how to talk about it and how to challenge leucism, they can become champions of challenging leucism as well. We also must equip them with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to recognize, confront, and challenge racism, because if we equip them with these tools that we are talking about here, especially our group, they can be able to handle situations when they come, even at schools or in situations where they are gathering as young people. I also want to reiterate, and it's also come from the group, the importance of integrating anti-racism education into education system, which is still way to come. Introducing anti-racism, human right, and equality education from an early age is very, very important. And that's why we emphasize from our group for this to happen from a very early age, ensuring that the school curriculum reflect the history, contribution, and experiences, especially of people of African descent. also addressing racial stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination in textbooks that we still have in some of our schools and institutions. And also training the teachers and educators to identify and respond effectively to racism. I attended the launch of the strategy on racism, the European strategy on racism, and they spoke about actually systemic discrimination and racism, and how it's important to also talk to institutions, talk to teachers about racism, you know, and its manifestations. So it's very, very important that we don't only look at groups and, you know, public on what is happening on racism, but also addressing it in schools and with the teachers and in the institution as well. And then very finally, I wanted to also answer the question that came on what we can do to have broader concerns on combating racism. And from our group, we have highlighted a lot of actions that can be taken. Our report is available. But also policy actions are very important with clear benchmarks. And we have always recommended from our group about the dashboard for OCHCR to be able to monitor the progress that is being made in the implementation of DPP. And also, the whole idea of mobilizing global public support, and this I actually heard it from especially South Africa when I attended their meeting two times, on the need to mobilize this global public support, you know, working with local government, working with private bodies and public bodies, you know, and everybody to be able to make, you know, this is something of the past or a thing of the past. So, it's very, very important that we continue to mobilize this global public support in all fields. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Rapporteur. I now pass the floor to the Chair Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. And I want to thank all delegations for their comments and questions. Just maybe to start with the question from the African Group on Where is convergence most needed to advance complementary standards that respond to contemporary racism, including in digital space? I think that question also speaks to many of the statements heard today and the concerns that we can hear from different corners. regarding the emerging use of technology to disseminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. So I will start by answering to those concerns or questions by indicating that in the ad hoc committee, we did the first reading of and presentation of the chair text, the rapporteur. And this gave also an opportunity, this time around, in a very concrete way, to the delegations to move from general comments and to embark on forging convergence in the areas where it's the most needed. Obviously, this area is one of the areas that everybody is pointing to, emerging technology, AI, algorithms, biases, and so on and so forth. I believe that the ad hoc committee work, and in particular, the elaboration of a protocol, is the opportunity to design how this emerging challenge could be addressed through specific language inputs meant to emphasize the importance of the responsibility and the accountability of relevant big tech companies and the role that they can play as private sector. in being part of the solution in the fight against racial hatred and racial discrimination. And I believe also that it's an opportunity for member states to address those concerns that they have in common in this area, in forging the contours of international cooperation through the drafting of this protocol. I see that this is a great opportunity. It's left to the member state to seize it. And just by listening to statements in the room, I could see that delegations indicated that they have, they already took actions and they have measures. I heard it in the ad hoc committee as well, that there are national plans, regional plans to address those concerns. And I think this is the opportunity to bring to the ad hoc committee and through the elaboration of the protocol and formulation, concrete formulation of a text, this is an opportunity to bring actually on the table those national plans, regional plans, and experiences, measures, policies to feed into an international robust and modern protocol to the ICERD. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Rapporteur. And finally, I invite the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance to make your remarks. You're welcome.

Thank you, Chair. I thank all the delegations for their questions and suggestions and the engagement with the report. Before addressing the specific questions, I would like to reaffirm the enduring importance of the DDPA as a comprehensive international framework for combating racism. The DDPA represents a landmark global commitment to confronting the root causes of racism, including its structural and institutional manifestations, and at a time when DDPA continues to face hostility and opposition by several member states, it is imperative that such resistance does not undermine international community's collective commitment to its full and effective implementation. In this regard, I strongly encourage Member States to show their commitment through concrete support for the work of the Expert Group on DDP and relevant anti-racism mechanisms, working to advance its implementation, and their mandates and efforts are essential to sustaining international attention, strengthening accountability, and translating the commitment of the DDP into practical action. On digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the central message of the report is that technological progress must not come at the expense of equality and non-discrimination. And with regards to freedom of expression, the States have obligations under Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to condemn propaganda and organizations based on ideas or theories of racial superiority or hatred. At the same time, the implementation of these obligations must be consistent with the relevant guarantees under international human rights law, including freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. So the report therefore emphasizes the importance of clear legislative frameworks, independent judicial oversight, and appropriate procedural safeguards, and the objective is to address conduct falling within the scope of applicable prohibitions without imposing unjustified restrictions on legitimate expressions or political debate. With regards to private technology, private technological companies also have responsibility to respect human rights in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and this includes conducting human rights due diligence, identifying discriminatory risks, and ensuring the affected individuals have access to effective grievance mechanisms. The cross-border nature of digital platforms must not create gaps in accountability. With this regard, Member States' role is significant in holding digital platforms accountable in the context of hate speech. Member States should establish strict legal obligations to digital platforms. States should address and examine the business models of digital companies in the background of hate speech. And I also wish to stress that implementation must be inclusive. Developing countries should receive appropriate technical assistance and capacity building, and must have meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping international AI governance standards. Turning to the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and related practices, the report highlights the continuing evolution of extremist movements and their use of digital technologies to disseminate propaganda. The report also highlights emerging challenges, including transnational extremist networks, Holocaust denial and distortion, and AI-generated extremist content. So states must strengthen prevention, education, and accountability, with particular attention to protecting children and young people from online radicalization and recruitment. Finally, efforts to combat these ideologies must be consistent, impartial, and grounded in international human rights law, without selective application based on political interests or identity of those involved. In conclusion, I would like to highlight three priorities for Member States. First, strengthen national legislations and oversight to address racial discrimination, including in digital environment and AI system. Secondly, prevent the glorification of Nazism and neo-Nazism through education, digital literacy, and effective accountability. Third, reaffirm the DDPA and support international cooperation and anti-racism mechanisms to advance its full implementation. I thank you.

Thank you very much indeed, Special Rapporteur. That brings to a conclusion this particular session. So I thank each of our presenters for your engagement and thank all colleagues for your interventions. The Committee will continue its joint consideration of agenda item 68, elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. and its sub-items A and B, and agenda item 69, entitled Right of Peoples to Self-Determination, on Wednesday, 4 November, beginning at 10:00 AM sharp, where we'll hear statements by special procedure mandate holders and other experts. And can I remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under agenda items 59, 68, 69 is Wednesday, 4 November at 6 PM. That brings us to a conclusion of this afternoon's proceedings. I thank you very much for your attention. The meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.