37th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council

Excellencies, distinguished participants, I hereby declare open the 37th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. We will now continue with the general debate under agenda item 9. We continue with the list of observers. I give the floor to Cuba.

Thank you, Vice President. The persistence of structural racism and institutionalized racial discrimination is a concern. Let us not forget the crimes against humanity against the people of African descent during the transatlantic slave trade. We see a rise in racism and xenophobia. Social networks are platforms for this. Political leaders, particularly in the Global North, are anti-migrant, xenophobic and racist. Our constitution protects equality, prohibits discrimination and recognizes human dignity. Xenophobia, intolerance and supremacist ideas have no place in our country. We have made great progress on the anti-racism and discrimination programme. We implement all of the UPR recommendations on this topic. A good deal remains to be done, but Cuba continues to focus on eliminating racism, racial discrimination and prejudices in our society. We continue to give priority to this and to implementing all human rights. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to China.

Madam Vice President, China supports the international community in continuing to accurately implement the DDPA and in taking strong measures to combat and comprehensively eliminate all forms of racism and discrimination. We oppose spreading rumors and inciting political confrontation under the guise of upholding racial equality and justice. We are concerned that the report of the 11th session of the Group of Independent Experts includes lies on Xinjiang fabricated by an NGO. We urge relevant parties to respect facts and stop using the Council for political purposes. We are concerned that in some countries, concerned there exists systemic and structural racism, xenophobia, hate speech and related intolerance. We condemn the unilateral travel bans imposed by the US on citizens of many countries, its ideological screening of legal immigrants, and its discriminatory, politically motivated and selective law enforcement, and other xenophobic actions against Chinese students. We urge the countries concerned to take concrete actions to respond to the concerns of the international community. We call on the Council to pay attention to these issues and to play its due role in building an inclusive society with equality for everyone, free from discrimination. Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Ethiopia.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Ethiopia aligns itself with the statements of the African Group and NAM. We reaffirm our commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, recognizing the fight against racism and intolerance as a shared global responsibility. Our Constitution guarantees equality and protections for all citizens, reflecting a firm commitment to human rights and social justice. At the regional level, Ethiopia has played an active role within the African Union, supporting efforts to combat racism and discrimination across the continent. Ethiopia has also been a vocal advocate for the Africa Agenda 2063, which emphasizes the importance of addressing historical injustices and eradicating all forms of discrimination on the continent. Ethiopia reaffirms its strong support for reparatory justice as a comprehensive, multidimensional approach that is essential to addressing the enduring legacies of colonialism and systemic discrimination. We fully support the United Nations framework for combating racism and remain deeply committed to the global dialogue on racial equality. In conclusion, Ethiopia urges the international community to strengthen national, regional, and international mechanisms with resources and political will to advance racial justice, equality, and human dignity globally. We further call for reparatory justice that is inclusive, comprehensive, victim-centered, and aligned with international human rights standards. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Indonesia.

Mr. Vice President, Indonesia rejects racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. Such practices violate international law and erode the very foundation of human dignity, justice, and equality, values that Indonesia holds in the highest regard. We are deeply concerned on the continued rise of hate speech and acts of violence worldwide, including Islamophobia. This action treated peace, mutual respect, and spirit of coexistence among nation and people as affirmed in Durban Declaration and Program of Action. Guided by Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, the spirit of unity in diversity, Indonesian build the practices of respect, tolerance, and harmony among more than 1,030,000 100,000 Thai. Racial and ethnic discrimination, incitement to hatred and hate crime have no place in our country. Our legal framework provides guarantees against intolerance, discrimination, hatred and violence, including on the basis of religion and belief. We urge all States to adopt more effective and robust legal and policy measures to counter all forms of intolerance, including religious hatred. Indonesia also calls for strengthening our collective commitment.

Thank you. I give the floor to South Africa.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the African Group yesterday. on this item. Despite global efforts, many people around the world continue to suffer as victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including other contemporary forms and manifestations, many of which regrettably are accompanied by violence and other cross-human rights violations. South Africa underscores the importance of political will and commitment to combat all forms of racism. racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, and to ensure reparative justice that is multi-pronged, approach context-specific, intersectional, and grounded in international human rights law. My delegation is particularly impressed with the special focus of item 9 mechanisms in their latest reports on the issue of reparations and reparative justice, which is in line with the African Union theme. I quote, justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations. My delegation fully supports calls on states and other regions to engage and support the initiatives of the African Union relating to reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent, with a view to identifying and fulfilling their responsibilities concerning reparations for slavery and colonialism in Africa throughout the African diaspora. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Spain.

Thank you, Vice-President. Spain aligns with the EU statement and welcomes the two reports. We condemn all forms of racial discrimination and emphasize the importance of combating hate speech and fake news. Our commitment to human rights involves overcoming racism in comprehensive fashion, particularly that against women of African descent and migrants. Our authority for equal treatment is strengthening Spain's capacity to respond to racism, investigating cases and bringing legal cases. Many victims fail to complain, making the problem invisible, we are promoting awareness of racial discrimination and have strengthened channels for complaint. Racial behaviour needs to be eliminated, and we have awareness campaigns to that end. We are stepping up collective action on racism and in favour of diversity, and working with the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner, as well as civil society. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Kenya.

Madam Vice-President, Kenya aligns with the Africa Group statement and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, afrophobia and related intolerance. We recognize the vital and complementary roles of the various mechanisms in this endeavor. We thank the Independent Group of Experts for providing critical evidence-based guidance on legacies of slavery, colonialism and systemic exclusion, offering clear pathways to reparatory justice and accountability. and the ad hoc committee in their efforts to address normative gaps by highlighting emerging challenges, particularly digital discrimination and intersectional harms that disproportionately affect Africans and people of African descent. We stress that the IGWG remains pivotal in driving concerted global action to implement the Durban Declaration, to adopt commitments that address persistent inequalities and ensure reparative measures encompass restitution, rehabilitation, debt cancellation, and social restoration. We welcome the 25th anniversary of the DPA as an opportunity to take stock of the progress made and as we look to the future where the promotion and protection of the rights of all is realized. Kenya stresses that the Durban Declaration follow-up mechanisms must be fully supported politically, financially, and institutionally. Weakening or undermining their mandates threatens to perpetuate injustice. We also underline the need to prioritize digital equity, climate resilience, and community-driven participation.

I thank you. Thank you. I give the floor to Bangladesh.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Madam Vice-President, Bangladesh strongly condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination, and related intolerances. We share the concern of growing prejudices, hatred, and religious profiling against the Muslims. We noted frustration, the increasing stigmatization, and social exclusion of migrants. Madam Vice President, Globally, many innocent people continue to face atrocities, oppression, and persecution incited by xenophobia, racism, intolerance, and hatred. The ongoing genocide of Israeli occupation forces in Gaza is a burning example to this. Bangladesh strongly condemns the crimes of genocide committed by the occupying power, Israel. We urge the international community to hold Israel accountable and put an end to these flagrant violations of human rights by Israel. Madam Vice President, in our neighborhood, decades of persistent, systematic, and structural discrimination and violence against the Rohingyas in the northern Rakhine state of Myanmar has led to a deplorable condition. This community has been subjected to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment and many other forms of racial discrimination. We call on the international community to effectively engage with Myanmar in following the recommendations of DDPA and ending discriminatory actions against the Rohingyas by Myanmar. Madam Vice-President, finally, our collective efforts against racism must be grounded in prevention, reinforced by the elimination of impunity through justice, recognitions and reparations, and directed towards ensuring equality in access and opportunity, including through strengthened international cooperation. I thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Gambia.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Gambia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Ghana on behalf of the African Group. We affirm our strong support for the DDPA, which remains the most comprehensive framework to combat racism and racial discrimination.

Madam Vice President, if you can kindly give me a minute, or if I can be called back to put my house in order.

Thank you. Okay, I will carry on for the list of speakers and I give the floor to at the end. Thank you. I call on Colombia.

Amidst severe mass systematic violations against their rights, which must bring reparation, the Afro-descendant communities are a group that deserves, that brings to humanity visions, knowledge, customs, social practices, and values that add honor and dignity to the human race. We propose considering as a people of African descent the collective subjects of various communities arising from the African diaspora in the Americas and Caribbean. They're resilient. and through cultural resistance to slavery and social exclusion, they have brought about their own identity through ethnicity, culture, history, social organization, geology, and names. This allows them to be recognized as a historically distinct human group. Considering them as merely ethnic groups or minorities is insufficient to bring self-determination, racial justice and effective historic reparation. For Colombia, it is crucial, and it should be crucial for this Council, to recognize the Afro-descendant communities as peoples, in other words, collective subjects of international law. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I give the floor to Sudan.

Thank you, Vice-President.

We have noted the report on combating racism and racial discrimination. We call for dialogue among religions and implementation of the DDPA. Racial discrimination and racism threaten the stability and coexistence Undermined by hate speech and the damage that does to human rights, the most vulnerable groups, refugees, asylum seekers, victims of war, are most exposed to racism and racial discrimination. Their rights must be protected. Militias have harmed the Sudanese people and their rights. They have repeatedly pillaged and destroyed, including in Darfur and other regions to the north of Darfur. These are clear manifestations of racism and racial discrimination, and they benefit only the abusers. we call on the international community to condemn these practices and all those who bring them about. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the National State of Bolivia.

Vice President. political leaders and the growing influence of extreme right movements have increased intolerance, racial hatred, and discrimination. These are tools of communication propaganda, spreading and seriously threatening democracy nationally and the very spirit of the multilateral system, becoming an obstacle to friendly relationships among nations, harming peace and security, as well as coexistence of different groups within a single state. Racism is fueled by social networks that normalize hate speech, stereotypes, based on race, national origin and other features. Hate speech can be found against indigenous people, peasants and people of African descent. Structural racism undermines democracy, equality, inclusion and collective coexistence. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Malawi. I give the floor to Benin.

Thank you, Vice-President. Benin reaffirms its commitment to equality, justice and human dignity. We welcome the High Commissioner's efforts to eradicate all forms of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. We recall the importance of fully implementing the DPA at all levels through tangible actions to overcome hate speech, racial prejudices, and systemic discrimination. Education, promotion of diversity, intercultural dialogue can ensure that victims of racism remain a priority. Benin has strengthened its institutional framework to bring progress, as can be seen in our reports to the treaty bodies. New measures have been taken, such as a law providing our nationality to Afro-descendants and efforts on non-discrimination against foreigners in our country. We reiterate our commitment to working with other States for a fairer, more inclusive world that respects all identities. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Algeria.

Thank you, Vice-President.

The DPA was adopted over 20 years ago. Unfortunately, we continue to see the worst forms of racism and xenophobia. Indeed, we see attacks on sacred sites of Islam and attacks on Muslims. These practices undermine social stability. We reiterate our commitment to the universal values of humanity. Violations of these rights run counter to the principles of this Council. Diversity must be respected. We have adopted legislation which clearly combats xenophobia and racism. Our constitution enshrines the values of coexistence. We believe that diversity, religious and cultural diversity, are the basis of our state. We call for efforts to be stepped up to combat the scourge of racial discrimination. We call on states to fulfill their obligations under the DDPA in order to bring justice for all. Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to Gambia.

Thank you, my Vice-President. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance remain among the most pervasive human rights challenges of our time. They deny individuals and communities their dignity and...

The speaker has requested to slow down across societies.

The Gambia aligns itself with the statement...

Please, slow down. Your interpreters cannot interpret.

Okay.

Are you starting it?

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance remain among the most pervasive human rights challenges of our time. They deny individuals and communities their dignity and continue to fuel division, inequality and injustice across societies. The Gambia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ghana on behalf of the African group and reaffirm our strong.

Support for the Durban.

Declaration and Programme of Action, which remains the most comprehensive framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The Gambia underscores that the transatlantic slave trade and slavery constitute one of the darkest chapters in human history. Their legacy continues to shape systemic in- equalities and discrimination in many societies today. Those who perpetrated such crimes carry a moral and where applicable, legal responsibility to ensure acknowledgement, justice, and reparations. Reparations transcend monetary compensation, they en- they encompass through telling, apology, restoration, memorialization, and corrective measures to dismantle systemic racism. These steps are vital to healing, reconciliation, and the restoration of dignity for communities and peoples who continue to suffer the consequences of slavery and colonialism.

The Gambia calls for renewed commitment to the full implementation of the D-DPA, including concrete steps.

Towards reparatory justice. Only through such acknowledgment and accountability can we effectively address the legacies of the past and build a future anchored on equality, justice, and respect for human rights. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you. That was the last speaker on my list of members. We will now move to the list of observers. I give the floor to Russian Federation.

Thank you, Vice-President. The DDPA states that no country may use the police or other methods to support discrimination, including racial discrimination. Unfortunately, not all of today's countries keep to that immutable truth. They violate their own constitutions and international obligations. Ukraine is clearly moving towards a mono-ethnic Ukrainian state. The Russian language and its millions of native speakers continue to suffer discrimination. It is de facto prohibited in all walks of life. Those who use their own native Russian are threatened with fines, administrative harassment, attacks by nationalists, right up to physical violence. Any attempt to express a position that is different to the official one is harshly suppressed. Anybody connected with Russia or seen to sympathise with it suffers political ostracism, various forms of repression and, indeed, criminal sanctions. the many years of ignoring this situation by the international human rights structures, including the OHCHR and the Human Rights Council, where there is systematic malicious violation by the Ukrainian authorities of human rights, rampant neo-Nazism and xenophobia in Ukraine. This shows dual standards and selective approaches which have brought about the unprecedented arbitrariness of the regime of Zelensky. Thank you.

I give the floor to Ireland.

Thank you, Vice-President.

Ireland aligns with the statement of the EU.

During the year of the 60th anniversary of the.

Adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, we reaffirm our condemnation of all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In renewing the commitment to human dignity and equality that underpins the Convention, we recognize that racism, discrimination, and inequalities prevent the full realization and enjoyment of universal human rights. Racism fundamentally conflicts with the core principles of democracy, which include the equality of all citizens. Racism is a growing concern in all our societies. We are deeply concerned by the political discourse targeting minorities and immigrants, amplified by social media, which has resulted in increased instances of hate crime globally.

Ireland has responded to this increase in a number of ways, including new hate crime legislation introduced in 2024.

Which provides for increased prison sentences for certain crimes.

Motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated based on protected characteristics, including race, colour, nationality, religion.

Ethnic or national origin and descent.

Ireland continues to support the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which, in conjunction with the Convention, provides a comprehensive framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Turkey.

Madam Vice-President, we close the floor and I appreciate the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Madam Vice President, hatred against Islam, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and far-right hate speech continue to rise in Europe and various countries around the world. The majority of our Turkish citizens abroad are largely affected by these threats in their daily lives. The manifestations of xenophobia and discrimination are not limited to physical attacks. The spectrum ranges from applying for a job, using the public transportation, to renting a house. In any of these cases, Turks could easily be a victim of hate crimes. Even Turkish students who stay in a foreign country, mainly for educational purposes, are exposed to racism and discrimination. This is totally unacceptable. Turkey will continue to condemn and fight against hatred acts and racism in any form, and we remain committed to combating racism, xenophobia, anti-Muslim racism, and anti-immigrant hatred. Turkey has been actively supporting international efforts to combat all sorts of hate crimes and played a leading role in the adoption of UN resolutions in this field. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. As a nation founded on multiculturalism and peaceful coexistence, Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. We condemn all manifestations of these practices. Regrettably, the people of Azerbaijan were subject to the racism, discrimination, and hate speech. Furthermore, during the time of occupation, Azerbaijani cities and villages were reduced to rubble, along with cultural and religious heritage sites desecrated. Despite the end of the conflict, the safe and dignified return of IDPs is still obstructed by the serious threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, which continue to claim lives and slow reconstruction. Since November 2020, more than 400 casualties, including over 70 deaths, have resulted from landmine explosions. Another pressing issue is the clarifying tragic fate of nearly 4,000 missing persons. The discovery of 218 bodies in 28 mass graves in the liberated territories testifies to the brutality of crimes committed against civilians. This grave humanitarian challenges underscores the urgent need for accountability, strong international solidarity, and enhanced support for Azerbaijan's demanding efforts. The end of the conflict, the restoration of my country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, And the fact that achievement of peace create conditions conducive to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran? I give the floor to Iraq.

I thank you, Madam Vice-President. We renew our full commitment to the DDPA. We are committed to combat all forms of racial discrimination, to establish equality and justice. Also, we have adopted all necessary measures to combat any practice that might fuel religious hatred and racial hatred by working closely with international organizations. We have also created a high committee for the creation and adoption of a strategy to combat hate speech, and this in cooperation with UN agencies and the relevant international organizations. We do all we can to remedy the harm caused by the terrorist groups of Daesh against the Yazidi and the Christians, we also endeavour to provide compensation and reparation. To conclude, we appeal to the international community to combat all forms of racial discrimination, xenophobia, Islamophobia and Afrophobia. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Malaysia.

Madam Vice President, Malaysia aligns itself with the statement of the OIC and NAM. Malaysia reaffirms its strong support to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as the most comprehensive framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation unity in diversity remains the cornerstone of our Malaysia madani framework Malaysia is deeply concerned by the disturbing rise in anti-muslim bigotry worldwide desecration of holy text attacks of places of worship and hate speech are not free expression but deliberate provocation that serve only to erode interfaith harmony and human dignity we welcome GA resolution 79316 which encourages promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech. Malaysia calls for the full and effective implementation of this resolution and urges all states to adopt legal and policy measures that address hate speech and promote respect and tolerance. In conclusion, Malaysia remains committed to advancing the objective of the DDPA and will continue to work and engage with all stakeholders to foster mutual respect, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Ecuador.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We restate that combating racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance amount to a key principle if we want to guarantee equality, inclusion and dignity for all, and in particular for those who are most vulnerable. That is why Ecuador attaches special importance to the promotion and protection of the indigenous, Afro-descendant and motubio peoples and nationalities by guaranteeing their full economic, political, social and cultural participation. In this respect, we have developed several public policies designed to guarantee equality and non-discrimination in this sphere, as, for example, the implementation of the National Agenda for the Equality of Rights for Peoples and Nationalities, which drives forward measures to guarantee equality and non-discrimination for peoples and nationalities in Ecuador and their democratic participation. We also, as we approach the 24th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the DDPA, we reaffirm our commitment to and active participation in this significant process and highlight the importance of continuing to make progress in the development of a draft declaration on the rights of persons of African descent. Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you. I give the floor to Armenia.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Armenia remains firmly committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The DPA clearly stipulates that the racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are among the root causes of the armed conflict and very often one of the consequences.

At the national level, Armenia continues to implement and develop national strategies and action plans aimed at addressing discrimination, hate speech, and intolerance. Particularly, the National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights prioritizes equality, the prohibition of discrimination.

And the strengthening of legal frameworks to safeguard vulnerable groups.

Armenia is steadfast in its commitment to upholding these principles.

We also.

Remain committed to reinvigorating international efforts for combating all forms of discrimination and xenophobia, including those that manifest through digital.

Platforms and state-sponsored rhetoric. Despite the significant progress made, we recognize that the fight against racial discrimination is an ongoing process. We are committed to enhancing cooperation to promote intercultural dialogue and regional.

Stability, particularly in the face of rising xenophobia and intolerance. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Egypt.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We have been following with a great deal of concern the discriminatory and racist practices worldwide, which have taken the form of systemic discrimination against migrants, ethnic minorities and Afro-descendants. We find that religion is seen to be an aggravating factor in all discriminatory practice. Indeed, discrimination is also coupled with Islamophobia in many cases. We believe it is important that we respond to the current violations by taking into account the historic heritage. We have gone through compensation and reparation. Justice are two processes which can guarantee justice for or to remedy past injustices, we restate our commitment to the GDPA, as well as our determination to combat all forms of racial discrimination. We need to be vigilant that the GDPA is enforced. To conclude, we call for more effective co-operation so that we can all together combat all forms of racial discrimination to guarantee human dignity and reparation justice, and compensation and, in this, achieving a fairer world. Thank you.

Thank you. And now I give the floor to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. This October, the UK celebrates Black History Month, a time to honour the enduring contributions of people of African descent to British society, reflect on the past and champion a more inclusive future for all. The UK is committed to building a fairer society where everyone, regardless of background, has an equal chance to succeed.

While.

Progress has been made in tackling racial discrimination, systemic inequalities still persist in areas such as housing, employment, and healthcare. This is why we are taking action to root out structural racism and level the playing field. We will publish a draft Equality, Race and Disability Bill, which will include measures to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers. This will provide transparency and help businesses identify and address disparities. We are working closely with employers to ensure this leads to meaningful change. We have also launched a Race Equality Engagement Group to enable an effective two-way dialogue with ethnic minority communities and guide our efforts to tackle racial inequalities. We stand firmly against racism and remain committed to taking meaningful action, both at home and abroad, to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Belarus.

Thank you, Vice-President. We are gravely concerned at the ongoing trend towards more and more varied racism, racial discrimination, intolerance, xenophobia, the spread of racist and Nazi ideologies and hate speech. We see a rise in xenophobia, including against migrants and asylum seekers in Lithuania, Northern Europe, Germany, the Netherlands and other European states. Political discourse, legislative and law enforcement in the EU worsen the problem. We see on the eastern borders of the EU the violence against people on the move, which is a consequence of this, and we point to the rise in fatalities as a result of pushbacks on the Belarusian border with the EU. The risks to life and health continue to rise, whether in lateral border closures, fences, and minefields. An important factor to overcome this is a renewal of transboundary cooperation by border services. It is crucial to combat racism and xenophobia using new technology that use new technologies. The lack of adequate response by the UN human rights system is unacceptable. We are convinced that these issues can only be resolved by joining forces, and for that there needs to be constructive cooperation on human rights. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Djibouti.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We support what was said by the groups we belong to and commend the Group of Independent Experts for their report on the effective implementation of the DPA, which this group is the standing UN body on persons of African descent, as well as the ad hoc committee on corporate standards on racism, which do everything they can to make progress, human rights and dignity, especially for persons of African descent by causing tackling the deep causes of racism and discrimination. Further, my delegation takes note of the The report of the High Commissioner, stressing the importance of reparatory justice as a central tool to dismantle systemic racism, respond to the remnants of slavery and transatlantic slave trade and colonization. This report follows on logically from the priorities and concerns of the African Union, which proclaimed 2024 to be a year of reparations, and has called upon the unity of states and the African diaspora to obtain justice and reparation. The dismantling of structures and systems that perpetuate systemic racism at all levels is crucial and involves not only the recognition by states of their past responsibilities, but also a clear commitment to tackle the deep causes of multiple forms of racial discrimination. It is therefore imperative that certain states, instead of opposing systemically all debate on reparations, should make progress rather on facing their past responsibilities and completely overhaul their policies and systems that contribute to perpetuating the multiple forms of discrimination, especially against persons of African descent. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Nigeria.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Nigeria aligns with the African Group and reaffirm our unwavering support for the work of the Ad Hoc Committee. We underscore that elaboration of an international convention to eliminate racial discrimination reflects the firm commitment of the international community to eradicate racial discrimination and injustice. Nigeria remains resolute in its unequivocal condemnation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, particularly those targeted at Africans and people of African descent in every part of the world. It is deeply regrettable that despite the DPA marking an historic milestone more than two decades ago, its objective remains far from being realized. In line with the AU theme of the year and the DPA, Nigeria underscores that reparations and restorative justice are essential to address the historical and ongoing legacies of slavery, colonialism, and racial discrimination. Reparations, including apologies, financial restitution, and empowerment programs, are vital for justice and substantive development. Finally, Nigeria calls for enhanced international cooperation, solidarity, and elaboration of complementary standards. We reaffirm our readiness to work constructively with all partners to ensure that equality, dignity, and justice are enjoyed by all peoples everywhere. I thank you, Madam Vice President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Pakistan.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. My delegation aligns with the statements for the OIC, NAM, and other groups which we are part of. Pakistan is deeply troubled by the growing tide of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance, including when it is fueled by ethno-religious supremacism. in our and other regions of the world. These divisive ideologies are eroding global harmony, jeopardizing peace, stability, and dignity of the people. International human rights law and norms, including the DDPA, provide workable solutions. However, implementation remains unsatisfactory. Vice President, Pakistan warmly welcomes the acknowledgment and increasing awareness about Islamophobia manifested in UN's recognition of 15th March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. However, we cannot close our eyes to the painful surge of racially charged hate crimes that continue to scar the lives of Muslims across the world. Left unchecked, the forces of hatred will always seek out new targets. We firmly believe that the full realization of human rights is intrinsically linked to state policies that are non-discriminatory, inclusive, and rooted in equality. When governance is instead shaped by a colonial mindset driven by a supremacist expansionist ambitions, it can only sow the seeds of hatred, which in turn breeds cycles of violence. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We share a concern about the intolerance frustrating the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to development, that widen inequalities. We must establish a clear mechanism acknowledging the harm to people of African descent and slavery, colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade through compensation and guarantees of non-repetition. We reiterate our support for the UN HRC's mechanisms to combat racism which undermine human rights. Madame Vice President, the GDPA supports groups historically affected by racism such as the indigenous communities, Afro-descendants and migrants. We demand that these mechanisms reject anything that violates human rights. 250 plus of our citizens were deported from the US to El Salvador, submitted to ill treatment without due process and the right to defence. All of this based on an anachronistic US law describing Venezuelans as foreign enemies. Thank you very much, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The DPRK delegation aligns with the statement on behalf of group of friends in defense of UN Charter and the DPRK has maintained invariable and principled position against all forms of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. We are deeply concerned about the continuing human rights violations, such as hate crimes and physical violence against children, workers, refugees, and migrants.

and the daily discrimination and assaults Asian, African, Muslim, and refugee communities face in the United States and in many Western countries.

The international and regional human rights institutions have confirmed that hate, racism, and xenophobia are on the rise across Europe. These are not isolated cases, but reflect deep structural discrimination in Western societies. Yet, the Human Rights Council, instead of addressing these urgent issues, selectively targets sovereign states designated by the West. This exposes the politicization, double standards, and selectivity of human rights. The Council must treat all human rights situations equally and fairly, and return to its true mission of promoting genuine dialogue, cooperation, and the protection of human rights for all. The full text of statement would be posted on HRC extranet. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Oman.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Our delegation expresses its appreciation to the holding of this important discussion on racial discrimination and hate speech. Any practices that are based on double standards in addressing human rights issues weaken the foundations of justice, equality and fairness on which this Council is established and contradicts with the DTPA. The persistence of the suffering of the Palestinian people in occupied lands for decades is a flagrant example of this these double standards civilians including women and children are facing policies and measures that increase their humanitarian suffering and their cause does not is not met with the necessary International response effectively and promptly as we see in other crises This paradox raises serious questions on the principle of equality in human dignity, and it reflects the dire need to comprehensively address these issues on an equal footing in order to restore confidence in this international institution. In conclusion, the respect of human rights is not subject to selectivity or any exceptions. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Jordan.

Madam Vice President, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan believes that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance are not subject for discussion. DTPA is our main point of reference in this respect. Our Kingdom sees with deep concern the rise in hate speech and intolerance, especially Islamophobia, that forms a direct challenge to collective human values and a threat to peaceful coexistence between peoples and cultures. We stress the importance of investing the International Day on Fighting Islamophobia, designated by the UN as a universal platform to fight all forms of religious hatred. Out of our heritage of peaceful coexistence, we believe that facing these challenges is not only through legislation, but also through education, raising awareness, educating the principles of tolerance. Sustainable development cannot happen in a world that is full with intolerance. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Uganda.

Thank you, Vice President. We align with the statements of the Nam African Group and the OIC. Vice President, racism has no place in any modern society and should not have the slightest nuance in any society,

including the UN, with over two decades of the DDPA.

Uganda is renowned for its principled position against all forms of discrimination, including racial discrimination, xenophobia, and any other kind of intolerance. Full eradication of racial discrimination starts with a political will, coupled with intentional implementation of the law and sensitization of the populace. with RFO call on our sister member states sitting here and beyond to transparently address the underlying causes of discrimination by intentionally and willfully reviewing the national policies and legal systems that continue to entrench systematic racial discrimination against persons of another race, especially from African descent. Madam Vice President, racism is an affront to human dignity and equality and should be condemned. Racism that has been entrenched in systems and structures that target black people, especially people from the African descent, is a shame and a testament to not only double standards in the approach towards human rights, but is also a confirmation and manifestation of unfounded superiority complex of a specific race. My government remains committed to the implementation of the tenets of the DDPA, and we call on our partner states to do exactly that. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Tunisia.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Tunisia once again stresses its commitment to fight racism and racial discrimination and to promote and protect the human rights and to support the principles of the DTPA to achieve its noble objectives. We are keen to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance according to our constitution that stipulates equality between citizens. And we remind that Tunisia in 2018 took the initiative to adopt the bylaw on combating racial discrimination to render those, the perpetrators accountable before international law out of our conviction in the principles of human rights and the protection of all our citizens. in a state of law and institutions. Madam Vice President, the most heinous forms of racial discrimination are those endured by the Palestinian people by the occupying power. They are subjected to ongoing genocide. that is witnessed by everyone while everybody is passive and unable to put an end to this brutal genocide. We call upon the international community to bear its ethical and legal responsibility to put an end to it.

Ukraine.

Madam President, as a party to core international human rights instruments, We strongly condemn Nazism, neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance. Despite decades of progress, these evils still poison our world. Russia's cynical justification of its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine under the false pretext of allegedly fighting neo-Nazism is one of the most alarming examples. Since 2022 and even earlier since 2014, Russia has waged terror under this deception. It was trampled international law, uh, unleashing indiscriminate attacks on civilians, destroying vital infrastructure, executing and torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war, and deporting Ukrainians, including children, in acts that echo the darkest chapters of history. We cannot allow the rule of force to replace the rule of law. No appeasement of aggressors, no tolerance for changing borders by violence. We call on the international community to stand united in eradicating discrimination and intolerance, which are integral part of racism, fueling Russia's aggression against Ukraine. We condemn the cynical attempts of the Russian Federation to present itself as a champions of combating Nazism and neo-Nazism, while repeating the same crimes against entire nations. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Cambodia.

Mr. President, We restate our unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights on the basis of the principles of equality, dignity and universality. We cannot but speak against what is happening today in the ongoing conflicts that have gripped our the region, as a result of which we are suffering in particular. It is affecting migrant workers, students, and there's discriminatory speech poisoning relationships between peoples. It encourages the proliferation of disinformation campaigns which distort facts and fuels prejudice and exposes innocent communities to unjustified risks. Such practices are totally in contradiction with states' international obligations, which are guarantee non-discrimination, equality before the law, security and dignity for all persons under their jurisdiction. Combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance is not a political option, but a legal and moral imperative. Cambodia, the Chair interrupts.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

We support what was said by the African Group and would like to join the increasingly loud voices speaking about the need to provide reparation for harm caused by slavery, colonization and transatlantic slave trade. I would like to recall here that reparations are a principle under general international law and cannot be confused with charity, goodwill, nor replaced by official development assistance, ODA. Reparation pathways are known, namely restitution of land, restitution of plundered cultural objects and property, compensation for economic and moral prejudice or harm, rehabilitation and support to affected communities, official apologies. Madam Vice-President, 2025 is the AU's year for justice for Africans and reparations. It gives us a chance to take a step forward on the UN second UN uh decade togo would like to invite everyone to take part on the 23rd of October 2025 in Geneva to this high level event uh on this issue of reparations here in Geneva thank you

thank you I give the floor to Bahrain

thank you vice president

A few days ago, we celebrated the International Day of Peace, an opportunity to recall that we must step up efforts to strengthen peace, stability, and justice, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter. My country has been an example of coexistence, tolerance, and peace. and of cooperation among peoples. We are continuing this and have recently organized an international dialogue for rapprochement among religions. We have national and international initiatives, such as the Royal Prize for Coexistence and Tolerance. We must step up efforts against racial discrimination and other forms of xenophobia. We must combat hate speech in order to end racial hatred and intolerance. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Portugal.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Structural racism fuels persistent discrimination across all spheres of society. It is deeply rooted, and it sustains the power imbalances that foster exclusion, insecurity, poverty, and human rights violations.

Portugal reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ICRD and to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Combating racism and discrimination lies at the center of our government's agenda. The National Plan to Combat Racism and Discrimination 2021-2025 embodies this commitment through a broad cross-cutting set of measures. Recent visits from key international human rights mechanisms, including the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, and the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, were essential opportunities for the ongoing improvement of our national policies. We are honored to host the first ever in-person meeting of the United Nations Conference on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All at the Secretariat. Portugal remains resolute in its commitment to combating racism and discrimination in all its forms, both at the national and international levels, and stands ready to work collaboratively with all partners to build more just, inclusive, and equitable societies. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to India.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Any kind of racism goes against the basic tenets of Indian civilization, which considers the whole world as one family and has advocated welfare of entire humanity. Respect for and celebration of diversity has been the guiding principle of multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multilingual India. Our constitution upholds the principle of equality and expressly prohibits discrimination on account of race and any other ground. These constitutional provisions are embodied in our legal framework and safeguarded by the judiciary, human rights institutions, civil society, and media. It is especially, especially meaningful that we are discussing this topic today on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who devoted his life to the fight against all forms of discrimination, including racism. Madam Vice President, despite the efforts made in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances, these ills continue to persist in different forms and manifestations today. We need comprehensive legal and administrative responses to counter these emerging challenges. We must hold the perpetrators accountable, build awareness among people, train law enforcement officials, and monitor and review efficacy of various measures. Complementary domestic action and international protection cooperation is necessary to effectively implement the ISART and DDPA to realize inclusive growth in this stage in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which leaves no one behind. I thank you.

Thank you. That was the last speaker on my list of observers. We now move to the list of non-government organizations. I give the floor to Geneva for Human Rights.

Thank you.

The Inter-sessional report is clear. Racism corrodes democracy. It silences voices, it excludes communities and distorts public debate.

These harms fall heavily on indigenous people, minorities, vulnerable groups and communities without adequate political representation.

For these communities, racism makes democracy a facade, denying self-determination, suppressing identities and resources, and perpetuating cycles of poverty, marginalization and violence. The DDPA is our roadmap. To realize it, states must strengthen NMRFs to ensure follow-up that includes marginalized and underrepresented communities, adopt anti-racism action plans that tackle structural exclusion, advance reparatory justice to address colonial legacies and systemic empowerment, apply consent-based democracy in line with human rights principles, The digital age brings new risk, AI and disinformation, amplified racism, shrinking civil space and silencing voices. Algorithm bias risks becoming today's disenfranchisement. States must adopt rights-based governance, save minorities, women, and underrepresented communities.

Youth and women are already leading movements for equality and peace.

Their leadership must be resourced as transformative, not only symbolic. including underrepresented or marginalized communities in a democracy itself. Implementing the DDPA with consent-based governance, reparatory justice is- Thank you.

I give the floor to United Nations Association of China.

Madam Vice President, despite 24 years since the DDPA, racism and the racial discrimination remain severe and are on the rise in some countries. The development of new technologies has further exacerbated the situation, leading to a surge in discriminatory and hateful content. These issues have far-reaching negative impacts. Socially, they erode social cohesion, creating divides among different ethnic groups and triggering social unrest. Economically, Marginalized groups face obstacles in employment and business, hindering a country's overall economic productivity. In terms of human rights, basic rights to equality, dignity, and a life free from fear are violated. The international community should invest more in dialogue between cultures and civilizations, as well as in multicultural education to promote understanding and respect for diversity. The UN should make more efforts to raise awareness on the implementation of the DDPA and play a leading role in strengthening digital governance to enable scientific and technological innovations to better benefit all mankind. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to ACH by video.

Mr. President, hardship in Iran is being borne by Azerbaijanis and other minority nations. In the Azerbaijani provinces of Iran, poverty and destitution are the clear results of the deliberate ransacking of natural resources.

Such as gold, copper, wood from forests and water, and the zero reinvestment seen from these.

The consequences on the human.

Rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran of these deliberate actions and lack of government programmes of support are manifold. Industries have moved out of the area, exacerbated by lack of support for local businesses.

Unemployment is soaring and the youth have no hope of a stable future.

Poverty and hunger have substantially increased. Children drop out of education because of the costs. Women's rights continue to be denied. Whole communities like those surrounding Lake Urmia suffer from environmental damage and a health crisis. The electric and water supplies of Azerbaijanis are disrupted often several times a day for hours.

Underpinning all of this is the denial of an education for Azerbaijanis in their mother tongue. ARCDH urges the UN to document the issues and refine the mandates of the fact-finding mission for Azerbaijanis and other minority nations in Iran. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We welcome the comprehensive draft resolution entitled "From Rhetoric to Reality" presented by the African Group to this session, which decides on a high-level commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2026. We see the process towards the 25th anniversary of the DDPA as an important opportunity to recover lost ground and mobilize global public support for the DDPA. It sends a clear message that the DDPA remains a cornerstone for our common works against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and that its full and effective implementation is a global priority. Regrettably, the OSCHR did little to promote the DDPA as its 20th anniversary, as the DDPA has been out of print for years, despite requests by the Council to have it reprinted for wide dissemination. Now and for 2026, there has to be a change and an effective public outreach campaign for the DDPA be launched by the OSCHR. The DDP anniversary will be a time to reiterate our total opposition to racism and in all its forms, including genocide and apartheid. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to GELAD.

Thank you, Chair. My name is Gabriel Dantas, and I speak on behalf of GELAD, Black Women Institute from Brazil. Democracy requires anti-racism. Around the world, far-right projects weaponize fear, weaken institutions, and normalize racialized violence. Our reparatory justice agenda is therefore not ancillary. It's foundational to the democratic order and to legitimate economic governance. We propose one concrete step. Establish an annual discussion on racial and reparatory justice, model on the annual gender discussion, tasking the OHCHR to convene mechanism and economic actors to mainstream anti-racism and reparatory measures across the UN system, including in development and climate finance. Let us convert recognition into delivery with measurable finance and time-bound actions co-designed with people of African descent. And last but not least, we call on states to fully implement the DDP as a form of reparations. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Cindy Adhikar Manch. I give the floor to Asian Center for Human Rights.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We'd like to highlight acts of racial discrimination and racial violence against indigenous Jhumur peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Three days back, on 20th September, Bangladesh army personnel and the illegal settlers killed at least three indigenous peoples, injured dozens others, and thereafter burned the houses of the indigenous peoples at a village called Guimara after they started the protest against gang rape of an indigenous girl on 22nd September. As of now, as reported this morning, family members of those killed are scared to file complaints against the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers. Last year, on 19 and 20 September, Bangladesh Army personnel once again had killed four indigenous persons, injured 75 others when they shot indiscriminately. The government of Bangladesh had set up an one-man inquiry commission, but the report of that commission has not been made public as on date, just to provide impunity. Not a single person from the indigenous communities and minorities was included in the Constitutional Reforms Commission. The report of the Constitutional Reforms Commission also made no reference to indigenous peoples, thereby denying their existence in law. On 12 January this year, the National Curriculum Board of Bangladesh removed the graffiti which contained the word "Adivasi", which means indigenous peoples. We would like the Council to take note of this act of racial discrimination in Bangladesh. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. I give the floor to Shanti Patriotic Volunteer Association by video.

President, Delegates, I represent the International Patriotic Pact Organization, advocating that patriotism must not come at the expense of other countries. Today, I speak on behalf of over 150 organizations in the wave of globalization, racism, discrimination, and xenophobia. remain major threats to world peace. Recently, Israel has taken a hardline stance on the Palestinian question, continuing to expand settlements, reinforce territorial control, and frequently launch military operations, resulting in heavy civilian casualties. Moreover, it has openly bombed six sovereign countries, including Lebanon and Syria, gravely undermining regional stability and blatantly violating international law, an utter disregard for the basic human rights of the people concerned. These acts are rooted in racism, and xenophobia, revealing Israel's hegemony. We firmly oppose such acts and call on Israel to respect international law and other countries' rights and stop violating human rights and undermining peace. The international community should promote peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes rather than condone such hegemonic behavior. We also condemn the U.S. for its longstanding bias toward Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader regional affairs, providing extensive support and protection. while shielding Israel's improper acts in the international arena. Such double standards gravely undermine international fairness and justice and further exacerbate regional tensions. Let us work together to build a world free of discrimination and hatred and filled with love and peace. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to China Ethnic Minorities Association for External Exchanges by video.

China continuously enhances its capacity and level of managing ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, using the rule of law to safeguard ethnic equality and guarantee ethnic unity.

China continuously enhances its capacity and level of managing ethnic affairs in accordance with the laws, using the rule of law to safeguard ethnic equality and guarantee ethnic unity. police and judicial practices defend equality before the law, and all peoples are equal before the law. Whether an incident with ethnic factors, the courts follow the principle of impartiality, and the law protects the legitimate rights of all ethnic groups. We attach great importance to popularizing legal knowledge among people of all ethnic groups. In my hometown, the government organizes legal literacy workshops to inform the public. We hope that these practices will provide very good results. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Indian Council of South America. I give the floor to the Palestinian Return Center by video.

The Palestinian Return Center is deeply concerned by the alarming and systematic pattern of racial discrimination targeting solidarity movements for Palestine across.

Europe.

Under the guise of maintaining public order, authorities in many European states are applying flagrant double standards.

While the right to protest for other causes is protected, advocates for Palestinian rights face unjustifiable repression, protest.

Bans, excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and judicial harassment.

This repression is not random; it is driven by discrimination. It disproportionately targets activists, particularly those of Arab and Muslim descent based on racial and political profiling.

Most dangerously, the charge of anti-Semitism is being weaponized to silence any criticism of Israeli policies of apartheid and occupation. This constitutes criminalization of solidarity and grave erosion of free expression. These practices foster a climate of.

Fear and entrench the notion that some calls for justice are less legitimate than others.

Therefore, we call on this Council to urge.

European states to uphold their obligations to guarantee the rights to peaceful assembly and expression without discrimination, and to investigate the disproportionate use of force and racial profiling by their police forces against pro-Palestine protesters.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Mediterranean Forum for the Advancement of Citizens. video.

I'm the president of the Mediterranean Forum for the Promotion of Citizen Rights from Morocco. On racism and racial discrimination, the USA has served as a negative example. Despite the challenges in Morocco, my country seeks to promote cultural integration and diversity. Unlike the USA, where racial contradictions are deeply rooted, I think minorities of Asian and African descent suffer from chronic injustices, employment discrimination, and violent law enforcement, as well as unequal educational opportunities. and xenophobia. The USA indiscriminately interferes, furthermore, in the internal affairs of other countries under the guise of human rights, imposing its values, creating divisions and conflict. This practice of double standards must end. and the errors made must be corrected. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the joint statement by the International Federation for the Protection of the Rights of Ethnic, Religious, Linguistic and Other Minorities.

Mr. President, despite the fact that the Durban Declaration and the Programme of Action.

Was adopted.

By consensus by the World Conference and was endorsed by the General Assembly, with only two countries voting against it.

Its implementation has been systematically undermined.

Regrettably, the disinformation campaigns against the DDPA have not been met with any effective response from the OHCHR, as would have been normal with regard to any other adopted UN programme.

We therefore welcome the request in the Africa Group draft resolution to the OHCHR to launch a public information campaign for the 25th anniversary of the DDPA in 2026. We urge the OHCHR, as a matter of priority, to publish the DDPA with its follow-up.

Documents in a small booklet format for wide dissemination, as has been repeatedly requested by this Council.

We also urge the OHCHR to publish, as a matter of priority, the.

Programme of activities for the International Decade for People of African Descent in small booklet format for wide dissemination, as requested by the council.

The urgency of mobilising against racism and xenophobia in all their.

Forms must not be ignored, and the DDPA cannot be implemented if people are unaware of its contents.

I give the floor to Mark from the Peace, Development and Human Rights Association.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action will not be achieved only by the promises made by the governments. In Ethiopia, Muslim girls in the town of Axum are banned from wearing the hijab in school, causing them to miss exams due to the requirement not to wear the hijab.

Despite a ruling by the.

Supreme Court in Tigray in September 2025, which recognised the right of girls to wear the hijab in schools, the ruling has not been implemented. In Syria, the Christian is subjected to physical abuse and racist practices, including the imposition of jizya, attacks, and the targeting of their businesses on religious and security grounds, which made a number of them to consider immigrating. This violation included the arbitrary detention of dozens of Christians in the city of Qusayr on the grounds of their affiliation with the former regime in Syria. These violations contradict the Syrian Government promises to protect religious minorities in Syria. Finally, MEAT recommends that the Ethiopian Government to implement the ruling issued by the Supreme Court in Tigray, and the Syrian Government to immediately release the Christian arbitrarily detained in the city of Qusayr. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Al Salam Foundation by video.

Mr. President, For decades, Shia students in Saudi Arabia, comprising around 12% of the population, have faced systematic religious persecution and severe restrictions on religious practice, particularly in the Eastern Province.

During Muharram, Ashura.

Ceremonies become a repressive space, marked by the curtailment of religious gatherings, bans on independent preachers, loudspeakers, Shia guesthouses.

And religious slogans in public places.

It is also called out arbitrary arrests and summonses targeting clerics.

Preachers, and theologians, while imposing strict censorship on sermons, all blatant violations of freedom of worship. Sectarian discrimination includes the denial of government employment for Shia citizens, exclusion from leadership roles, educational exclusion, and unfair prosecution, including politically motivated, lengthy prison sentences and executions. We demand an end to all forms of sectarian discrimination in Saudi Arabia, the release of detainees on religious grounds, the guarantee of freedom of religious practice, accountability for perpetrators of violations, and independent investigation into arbitrary arrests and executions. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Inclusivity Project. I give the floor to Al-Haq Law in the Service of Man by video.

Mr. Vice President, last week, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, found that the Israeli government has demonstrated clear and consistent intent to establish permanent control over the besieged Gaza Strip while ensuring a Jewish majority in the occupied West Bank and inside Israel. While a welcome finding, Al-Haq has long demanded accountability for Israel's settler colonial apartheid regime and ongoing Nakba, rooted in racial discrimination and the systematic subjugation and elimination of the Palestinian people. Since its founding, Israel has implemented policies that prioritize Jewish-Israeli identity while systematically denying Palestinians equal rights, as it engages in demographic manipulation and territorial fragmentation of unlawfully occupied Palestine. Israeli policies entrench the fragmentation of the Palestinian people to prevent the realization of their rights to self-determination and return. Through rapid expansion of illegal settlements and mass forced displacement, Israel is entrenching a Zionist reality that maintains Israeli-Jewish dominance at the expense of Palestinian self-determination. Israel's widespread and systematic use of violence, a matrix of discriminatory laws, military checkpoints, home demolitions, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on daily life, alongside the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and preparatory steps to annex the Palestinian territory, institutionalise inequality and reinforce a racial hierarchy in which Palestinians are dehumanised.

To such a degree that they are unworthy of life itself.

Israel's annexation process is a violation of international law and racialised colonial project of dominance to deny the Palestinians their right to self-determination and return.

Permanent act of erasure.

Thank you. I give the floor to FEDH.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. I express my long-time concern about the continued military occupation during peacetime of areas populated by Eelam Tamils, who continue to be subject to the draconian provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Funding has currently been stopped by the government of one of the co-judicial investigation in the Semany mass grave site. The United Nations have noted the continued victimization of witness and arrest journalist. Since 2013, I have been advocating for the establishment of independent international investigative mechanism to provide independent and transparent and expert investigation of all crimes, especially those committed in the final days of the conflict in May 2009. I would urge the Assembly to issue your resolution on the agenda for appoint a country-specific special rapporteur. I would also advocate the strength sanction in respecting individual implicated in serious human rights violation as part of tran- transitional justice process with the integrity, this by necessity request civilian access to justice. repression and free and protected participation within the investigative process because of the forced...

Thank you. I give the floor to Christian Solidarity International.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. This week marks two years since Azerbaijan expelled 120,000 ethnic Armenians from their homeland in Nagorno-Karabakh during September 2023.

In November 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered the Republic of.

Azerbaijan, in accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial.

Discrimination, to ensure that persons who have left Nagorno-Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who.

Wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded, and expeditious manner. Thus far, the international community has taken no steps to ensure this order is implemented. The Parliament of Switzerland has mandated the Swiss government to hold a peace forum between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to negotiate the safe and collective return of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population. This mechanism represents a neutral, credible, and law-based framework to acknowledge and operationalize the right of return for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians. We urge the Council and all UN member states to lend their support to the Swiss peace initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh. Two years later, it is still not too late to undo the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Pasu Mai.

Madam Vice-President, Racial justice and equality in law are totally lacking in Sri Lanka. Since independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has abrogated these basic rights for the Tamil people of distinct ethnicity. The Tamils are an ethnic nation with a unique culture and language of over 3,000 years and a homeland in the north-east of the country. The first abrogation was depriving the citizenship of the Malayala Tamils and their right to vote. The single only act in 1956 resulted in thousands of Tamils losing their jobs. Since 1971, Tamils were barred from higher education due to ethnic-wise standardization. In 1983, Tamils were subjected to a state-led program based only on their ethnicity, when over 3,000 Tamils were killed. The 25-year war ended in genocide of 2009, with tens of thousands of Tamils killed and unaccounted. The opening of the mass grave in Chamaney, Jaffna, one of many such graves and visited by His Excellency Volker Turk, bear testimony to those horrors. These crimes have had no accountability either locally or internationally. All resolutions for accountability passed by this Council from 2013 to date have not had any positive outcome for the mothers and families of their forcibly disappeared and killed loved ones. The only means for justice, your Excellency, Madam Vice President, and accountability through prosecution by independent international mechanisms.

Thank you. I give the floor to World Jewish Congress by video.

Mr. President, around the world, antisemitism is rising at alarming levels. Synagogues, schools, and cemeteries are being defaced. Jewish communities face threats, harassment, and violence, online and in the streets. History has taught us that antisemitism is not only a danger to Jews. It's a warning sign for all humanity. We cannot allow all hatreds to be reborn in new forms, whether through conspiracy myths, Holocaust denial and distortion, or the scapegoating of Jews for global crises. Silence or indifference makes us complicit. As a joint statement delivered under this item by Slovakia and supported by a wide coalition of states from around the world stated, international developments or political issues, including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East, never justify antisemitism. The conflict in the Middle East should never be used as a pretext to target Jewish individuals around the world, isolate and marginalize them. In addition, a climate of one-sided, persistent criticism of the actions of the State of Israel, ignoring the tragic events of October 7 and the remaining hostages in Gaza, create a hostile environment for Jewish communities. Mr. President, the Human Rights Council must send a clear message: Antisemitism has no place in our world. We must strengthen education, ensure accountability for hate crimes, and protect Jewish communities everywhere. Defending Jewish lives and rights is not optional. It's central to universal principles we're here to uphold. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Muku Development and Cultural Union by video.

Honorable Chair, Distinguished guests and delegates of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, I present to you a grave and urgent report on the condition of religious minorities in Bangladesh following the political transition of August 2024. Despite constitutional guarantees, over 2,400 incidents of violence, including murder, rape, arson, and land grabbing, have targeted Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and and indigenous communities, attacks on temples and homes, forced resignations of minority professionals, and weaponized blasphemy laws reflect a deepening culture of impunity. Minority women and girls face disproportionate gender-based violence. Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts continue to suffer military violence and displacement. International bodies, including USCIRF, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have condemned these abuses and called for urgent reforms. We urge this Council to support the release of detained the release of detained minority leaders, independent investigations, repeal of discriminatory laws, creation of minority rights commission and ministry, UN fact-finding missions, and oversight. Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. We ask the global community to act so that every citizen, regardless of faith or ethnicity, may live in dignity and safety. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Organization for Defending Victims of Violence by video.

President, we express grave concerns over discriminatory practices by the United States government, which violate fundamental principles of non-discrimination, specifically the policies of the United States, such as imposing travel bans and limiting visa issuance for nationals of certain countries. clearly amount to discriminatory conduct. Recent reports further suggest that the U.S. government is contemplating additional visa restrictions on the participation of diplomatic delegations in the session of the UN General Assembly.

Such measures would only exacerbate existing practices, hindering.

Equal access to global forums and undermining diversity of voices in multilateral discussions. The US policy of denying visas based on nationality risks violating international law by constituting discrimination under Article.

5 of the International.

Convention on the Elimination of All Racial Discrimination and breaching its obligation under Article 2 to eliminate such practices. Equally troubling are the recent border practices, including family separations and prolonged detention of asylum seekers, which subject migrants to discriminatory treatment and raise serious concerns under international refugee and human rights law. We urge the U.S. to immediately cease such measures, align its visa policies with international human rights standards, and guarantee equitable access for all. This Council must address these violations decisively to uphold the universal commitment to human rights. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Partners for Transparency by video.

Partners for Transparency expresses deep concern over the continued manifestations of racism and racial discrimination against Black individuals and those of African descent, as well as against religious and ethnic minorities and migrants in several Western countries. Mr. President, More than three-quarters of Black Americans in the United States experience widespread discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare. The homeownership rate among Black Americans is only 45.7%, compared to approximately 74.3% among White Americans, a difference of nearly 29 percentage points. Unemployment rates among Black individuals are nearly double those of White individuals, and their average income is about 20% lower, even when controlling for age and education level. In France, individuals of Arab or African descent are stopped at a rate four times higher than others and are 12 times more likely to undergo physical searches or to be taken to police stations. In conclusion, Mr. President, Partners for Transparency calls on the governments of the United States and France to adopt stricter and more effective policies to combat racism and discrimination in all forms, to ensure full equality in employment, housing, and education, and healthcare, and to enhance monitoring and accountability. Thank you.

I give the floor to Association of Iranian Short Statured Adults by video.

Mr. President, The United States claims to champion equality, yet its policies rooted in discrimination based on race, religion, and nationality continue to ruin lives and silence justice. Recent official data shows nearly 12,000 hate crime incidents, with more than half linked to race, most targeting Black Americans.

Black and Latino people still face unfair police stops, harsher arrests, and longer sentences, leaving homes and futures shattered. Nationality bias is also clear.

A new travel ban has blocked visas for thousands of Iranians, freezing opportunities and separating families. Students and workers have been denied the chance to study, live, or reunite with loved ones just because of.

Where they were born. Islamophobia continues to spread.

Hundreds of anti-Muslim hate cases have been reported, from mosque vandalism to workplace bias.

In some states, Muslim children grow up in fear that their identity makes them.

And safe in their own schools and neighborhoods. We urge this council, hold the United.

States accountable, demand oversight, and insist that equality be not just a promise, but a practice. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to a joint statement by Action Canada for Population and Development by video.

I make this statement on behalf of Wahoo, a Waves of Freedom vessel participating in the global Sumud flotilla.

We are a few hundred ordinary people from 44 countries sailing toward Gaza to break the siege.

And open a humanitarian corridor.

The international community has watched and enabled the colonial and apartheid regime of Israel.

To repeatedly disregard and violate international law.

Israel has continued to expand illegal settlements in Palestine, while human rights mechanisms are threatened and undermined by Israel's allies, especially the US, Germany and the UK. Gaza has been under siege since 2007 and under direct genocidal attacks since October 2023, even as Israeli and Western weapons manufacturers as tech corporations and mercenaries profit from the systematic killing and maiming of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Western governments and corporate-controlled.

Media have ignored and justified this genocide, rooted in racial supremacy and the attempt to erase the Palestinian people.

The flotilla, legal under international law, must be protected and allowed to complete its urgent mission. President, states should be taking every possible.

Action, and there are many, starting with a full arms trade and cultural embargo on Israel, to end the genocide.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Amnesty International.

Madam Vice President, Amnesty International welcomes the report of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. We support the call for urgent action to address the security, political, humanitarian, and human rights crises in Haiti rooted in the legacies of colonialism and enslavement. We strongly support the inclusion of a reparatory justice approach that is centered on Haitians and includes restitutions for the independence debt. as well as reparations for the enduring consequences of colonialism and enslavement. We urge States to give meaningful consideration to the Forum's recommendations to concretely advance reparatory justice, placing affected communities at the center and acknowledging the ongoing harms of these historical injustices. This year marks the bicentenary of the imposition of the independence debt. Activists and organizations from Haiti and its diaspora are calling on France to provide reparations. Amnesty International supports these calls and affirms that states which engaged in and profited from these historical wrongs have a duty under international law to provide reparations. This responsibility includes dismantling and transforming contemporary structures of racial discrimination. Amnesty International calls on states to strengthen their commitments for long-term solutions to Haiti's human rights crisis and ensure active participation of Haitian civil society. We also extend the protections on the move, and particularly in the Americas, where they continue to face serious human rights violations and abuses beyond Haiti's borders.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We remain deeply appalled by the persistence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. These are ongoing systemic injustices that take multiple forms of evil. To combat them, we must commit to addressing the root causes at every level. Yet, these efforts are consistently undermined by barriers that weaken the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Chief among these barriers are the lack of resources, limited publication and distribution, and the persistent distortion of information about the DDPA, which has deliberately reduced reduced its visibility, accessibility, and impact. Madam Vice-President, it must not be forgotten that the DDPa was a consensus outcome of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban. As such, it represents a collective pledge of the international community. To sideline or minimize the DDPa is not only to undermine victims of racism, but also to renege on commitments that States themselves have undertaken. We therefore urge all States to recommit to its full and effective implementation and to end the resistance that continues to obstruct this vital framework. In conclusion, E4D and Geneva International Center for Justice recommend urgently prioritized funding, dissemination, and translation of the DDPA, ensuring its visibility, availability, and use by policymakers, educators, communities, and people of influence, and fully integrate the DDPA international action plans, educational curricula, and training programs to confront systemic racism at its roots. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to China Foundation for Human Rights Development by video.

Our distinguished president was deeply concerned about recent setbacks in the protection of human rights in the United States. In particular, strong anti-immigration rhetoric and policies have heightened social tension and contributed to a rise in hate crimes. Measures such as the use of the Wartime Alien Enemies.

Act to accelerate deportations and efforts to end temporary protected status for large numbers of refugees raise serious questions.

Of fairness and equality. We are also concerned about security review applied to Chinese nationals and scholars of Chinese descent under the name of.

National security. Such broad measures have created real difficulties for students and the researchers in US universities and institutions.

We call on the authorities to avoid over securitization, to resist.

Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and nationality, and to take concrete steps to uphold their responsibility to protect the rights of all individuals. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Humanists International by video.

Thank you, Mr. President. I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Atheists in Kenya Society and Humanists International. The Durban Declaration urges nations to eradicate all forms of racial, religious, and ethnic discrimination, both in law and in practice. Nevertheless, discrimination based on religious belief, along with religious privilege, has hindered the advancement of freedom of religion and belief in Kenya. Religious minorities frequently face unfair and discriminatory treatment. Moreover, the promise of religious salvation made by some charismatic religious leaders has resulted in dozens of deaths the coastal parts of Kenya. We call on the government of Kenya to revisit the Religious Organizations Bill, which was not enacted in 2024, which was aimed at regulating religious organizations in Kenya. We also encourage the government to promote interfaith dialogue as a way of fostering respect among diverse religious communities, as well as to uphold the rights and aspirations outlined in international treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human People's Rights, and the Durban Declaration.

Thank you. I give the floor to Center for Gender Justice and Women Empowerment by video.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Under agenda item 9, Egypt practices a systematic pattern of racial discrimination against African, especially Sudanese, refugees. Since April 2023, thousands have been arbitrarily arrested. Women and children have been detained under inhumane circumstances. 4,721 Sudanese have been deported arbitrarily to war zones where the Sudanese army has used chemical weapons that have come from Egypt. Others have also been forced to join the quick impact forces in a flagrant violation of the non-refoulement principle. Egyptian authorities target Sudanese people, especially women, by inspecting them in a humiliating manner that amounts sexual harassment. Also, journalists have been tortured, unlike what Egypt claims that the number of Sudanese refugees are 2 million, while their number is 100,000. This is an arbitrary attempt to misguide the public opinion. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Japan Society for History Textbook.

Madame Vice President, Egypt. systematic racial persecution against Sudanese and African refugees. Since April 2023, 4,721 Sudanese were deported towards war zones, where the Sudanese army has used chemical weapons provided by Egypt. Many were killed, have been killed, or forced to join armed groups. This is a serious violation of the principle of non-refoulement and obligations under Article 9 of the Durban Declaration. The Egyptian authorities have humiliated Sudanese women through bodily searches that were humiliating and sexual harassment, and have abducted journalists who sought to speak out against the support of Egypt to the Islamists, seeking to destroy Sudanese tribes near Shalatin. According to some reports, 479 women and children were killed, which is proof that there is systematic racism, which runs counter to Article 9 commitments. Egyptian doctors have carried out forced sterilisation of African Sudanese women in the hospitals of Khartoum, and at least 16 children were poisoned. This is racial persecution and medical abuse, forbidden by Article 9 of the GDPA. Madam Vice-President, the Council must act under Article 9 of the GDP 8 with an urgent follow-up as well as accountability mechanisms and strong resolutions to protect civilians, Sudanese civilians and African refugees. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to International Network for Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Hello, my name is Shivani Jegarajah. I'm a human rights barrister from London and I'm going to talk about the consequences of the High Commissioner's visit to Sri Lanka for three days, especially in relation to the Chamanite mass gravesite. The High Commissioner noted that the same old patterns of surveillance of human rights defenders persists. He said that the office has been mandated to gather and preserve information and analyze violations and abuses. He called for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He said that Although torture is criminalised under Sri Lankan law, complaints continue to be received. Funding has currently been stopped by the Government for one of the core judicial investigations in the emblematic case concerning the Chemin de Mass gravesite. The UN has noted the continued victimisation of witnesses and the arrests of journalists. application of the Bournemouth Protocol principles to the current mass grave investigations, concerning civilian access to justice without fear, reparations and protected participation within the investigation process, these principles are not being observed. The Assembly must recognise the effect of heavy militarisation of Tamil areas during peacetime. Civilians are terrified to come forward and identify themselves to the Sri Lankan authorities. There is one soldier to five civilians in Mullaittivu alone. Military personnel could arguably be potential war criminals. How can civilians make complaints to him? The sad fact is that many witnesses and families are getting old and dying or are scared. This issue is critical, and the civilian community...

Thank you. I give the floor to Sikh Human Rights Group.

Thank you, Chair.

As we see a rise in national identity crisis in some European countries, we are concerned that race and culture become victims. Clearly, racism continues at a subliminal level to be exploited at the will of politicians. To prevent this per- periodic leveraging of racism for political opportunism, we have been suggesting a declaration on diversity. This non-binding declaration will help states to make their population comfortable with differences and diversity. It is important that the seeds of racism that started institutionally during colonialism are addressed with the force to change people's attitude and acceptance of differences. The declaration encourages proactive steps to promote diversity within the general population. It complements the mission of the Durban Declaration of 2001, at which a lot was promised but not much achieved. We look forward to support from state members, particularly those with long successful history of diversity and coexistence. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to ABC Tamil Oli.

Thank you, Chair. I speak as a lawyer on behalf of the People's Action Aniyavilakku, the Unextinguished Lamps, a recent protest in Jaffna where families kept lamps burning to symbolize their hope for justice for those subjected to enforced disappearance. Across the Tamil homeland in the northeast, mass graves are being uncovered even today, 16 years after the genocidal war, yet no incredible process has ever revealed the truth about these acts. Victims have exhausted every avenue within Sri Lanka's system. They have no faith in the Office on Missing Persons or any domestic body. Above all, families will not hand over DNA to the state they hold responsible. They must be allowed to deposit their samples with an independent international mechanism or in a victims' own repository outside Sri Lanka under a trusted third state or international authority. Only then will they believe their remains of the victims. The samples can be much with the remains of the allowed ones. Excumation must also be conducted under full international authority in line with the burnout protocol ensuring dignity and credibility. Jet operative clause seven of the draft resolution strengthen the OMP which victims reject. We urge this council and the core group to adopt measures that reflect the family's demands. We ask to this council members to have a nomination of special accountability project for three more years. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Sethim.

The last rather the review by CERT of Switzerland highlights a paradox. On the one hand, the country, Switzerland, has a legal machinery and institutions to fight racism, but on the ground the reality is a cause for concern because of the lack of concrete and effective measures. The figures are irrefutable. Racist incidents reported were up by 24% in 2023. Racism, so it's a systemic and structural problem. It is highlighted, it occurs in state institutions. The European Court of Human Rights in 2024 found Switzerland in breach of its obligations, the case of Wa Baileh, and that's telling. The death of Roger Nzoey-Willem in 2021 was the outcome of racialization, which led the police to use force rather than help. Or in the case of the death of Mike Ben-Peter, a test to structural racism, the the NGO report's call for structural change. We call upon Switzerland to respect its international obligations and to adopt measures not only to guarantee the adoption of an anti-discrimination law which is comprehensive and the establishment of an independent complaints mechanism for the victims of police violence and racial profiling, but also it needs to clean up the police and the justice system, get rid of racism of which it is riddled. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I give the floor to Public Institution Human Rights Protection.

I am Dmytro Sydor, human rights activist and journalist of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Carpathian Rus'. In 1921, that is 106 years ago, the Carpathian Rus' Orthodox Church was established in pre-war Czechoslovakia. As a result of the annexation 1946, the communists banned our church, as well as the Rusyn people, depriving them of their rights as a nationality minority, without recognition, without schools, without libraries. Since the Ukrainian authorities intend to liquidate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Rusyns of Transcarpathia expressed their protest.

I, as a journalist and human rights.

Activists who stood up for the right of believers.

And the right of the Russian people, and end up on trial. I earnestly ask the United Nations structures, whose mandates include the protection of the rights of.

Believers and national minorities, to consider our written complaints submitted to the United Nations special procedures and take measures to protect the rights of believers and the Carpathian Russian people.

Thank you for your Thank you. I give the floor to RSKS by video.

Thank you, Mr. President. We firmly condemn all forms of discrimination based on caste, religion, color, sex, or language, anywhere and at any time. Equality and human dignity must remain non-negotiable global value. These discrimination practices are a fundamental violence of human dignity and international human rights law. We bring attention to the persistent religious discrimination and persecution faced.

By Hindus minority in Pakistan.

They are systematically marginalized, face social exclusion and are subject to forced conversion, harassment and even sexual violence. Many are denied access to basic services and they live under the constant threat of violence and forced displacement.

In line with its.

Enduring civilizational ethos of inclusivity and safe haven, India has provided shelter and citizenship to many displaced Hindu families, safeguarding their right to life and dignity. Yet, Pakistan's persistent failure to protect its religious minority is alarming. Discrimination continues to flourish on its soil, and despite international obligations, it continues to violate their fundamental human rights. Mr. President, Ending religious discrimination is a test of our collective commitment to human rights. We cannot look away. We urge this Honorable Council to call for immediate accountability and robust mechanism to protect religious minority facing persecution. We thank you. May all live happily.

Thank you. I give the floor to the International Humanitarian Society for Development Without Borders.

Assayed Raees.

President, ladies and gentlemen, when we speak of systemic racism, we automatically think of the Israeli occupation. Some 500 military checkpoints have made the country like a sieve. The people are deprived of the right to move around, their ID is taken away, the colonisers are taking away all of their freedom. These discriminatory laws are very clear. The Law on Nationality of 2018 transforms the Palestinians into second-class citizens. It divides the population on a nationalist basis. The flotilla with over 500 civilians from some 45 nationalities has been kidnapped and we know nothing of what has happened to these activists. We call on the international community to step up to its responsibilities. Hiding behind silence is complicity in this crime. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Eliska Relief Foundation.

Thank you. Eliska underscores the essential role of the DDPA. in eliminating racial discrimination and xenophobia. The Ethiopian government is not respecting this, as we see from the discriminatory practices towards certain population groups. The national bank has frozen all bank accounts in the region, preventing inhabitants from accessing their money, worsening their living conditions. Some 40% of displaced women in the recent clashes have suffered discrimination, including gender-based discrimination. Racism against black people, many people believe, is still widespread. There is also workplace discrimination. Elishka recommends placing pressure on the Government of Ethiopia to end this discrimination against the Tigray population, and particularly women, and encourages States to adopt a federal plan of action against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Sambali Trust by video.

Mr. President, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance fuel division, hatred and violence, eroding the universal values of equality and justice enshrined in international human rights frameworks. Addressing these challenges is crucial for building inclusive societies where every individual can live free from fear and discrimination. Sambit Trust's education, vocational training, and legal support and safe spaces empower women to break free from cycles of poverty and prejudice. Since 2022, we have expanded to Jaisalmer, home to many refugees facing extreme hardship. Here, we provide critical education and livelihood opportunities, helping women and children rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. These efforts nurture resilience and promote social harmony, countering intolerance at its roots. India's commitment to combating racism is reflected in constitutional safeguards like Articles 14 and 15, guaranteeing equality and prohibiting discrimination. Key initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram for minority development and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, uphold human rights and social inclusion. Together, we all must renew our shared commitment to building a world free from racial hatred and discrimination, where dignity, respect, and equality prevail for all. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Ecofone.

We wish to highlight a disturbing and escalating form of religiously motivated intolerance and ideological extremism that threatens the fundamental human rights of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir in India. The recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, where unarmed civilians and pilgrims deliberately targeted based on religion, reflects not only a grave security concern but a blatant form of violent intolerance, a direct assault on the right to life, freedom of movement, and freedom of religion and belief. Such targeted violence stems from deep-rooted hatred, often propagated through jihadi outfits and sustained by cross-border financing, ideological indoctrination, state sponsorship, safe sanctuaries, and impunity. It aligns with the patterns condemned in the Durban Declaration. Acts of xenophobia, religious discrimination and hatred-driven violence are acknowledged as a global threat to human dignity and peaceful coexistence. These attacks are not random. They aim to instil fear among specific communities, deter pilgrimage and tourism, destabilise regions through the weaponisation of intolerance. We urge this Council to take serious note of the situation. The spirit of the Durban Declaration demands not only that we address systemic discrimination, but that we act against its most violent manifestations. call for stronger International mechanisms to curb the spread of extremist ideologies block Terror financing and hold enablers accountable there can be no peace without justice and no justice without confronting hatred in all its forms thank you.

Thank you I give the floor to jso youth organization

Thank you, Madam Vice President. We reflect on the urgent need to confront racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related forms of intolerance. These challenges remain among the gravest threats to human dignity and social harmony worldwide. India, with its centuries-old tradition of diversity, offers an important perspective. As the world's largest democracy, our Constitution enshrines equity, justice, and non-discrimination as fundamental rights. India's pluralistic ethos, embracing multiple religions, languages, and cultures, shows that unity in diversity is not only possible but a source of strength. The Government of India has implemented targeted initiatives to reduce inequality empower marginalized communities and promote social inclusion. Affirmative action, legal safeguards against the discrimination and awareness campaigns reinforce our commitment to equity. At the same time, India actively works to curb the hate speech and ensure the technology and digital platforms are not misused to promote the intolerance. Excellencies, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action reminds us that fighting racism is a shared duty. India believes this fight must be waged not only through laws, but also through education, intercultural dialogue, and economic empowerment, so that all communities feel protected, valued, and respected. Let us reaffirm that university is not a barrier, but a foundation for peace and progress, guided by the principles of equity and justice. India stands ready to share its experiences and work with the international community in building the inclusive and resilient societies. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Association for Victims of the World. I give the floor to Youth in Technology and Arts Network. I give the floor to RECOVI.

Thank you, Mrs. President. So on behalf of the Pakistani civil society, the right of life, dignity, and freedom of belief are basic human rights. Yet in Pakistan, these rights are denied every day under blasphemy law. Since 1987, more than 2,000 people have been accused of blasphemy. At least 89 were killed by mobs before trial, and today 40 innocent people remain on death row. Christian, less than 2% 2% of the population live in constant fear. In May 2024, Nadia Massi, an elderly Christian, has been beaten by a mob of 2,000 and left to die after a false accusation. His home was burned and police stood by. From the 2023 Jaroula attack to the case of Asian Bibi, we see the same pattern: lives destroyed, justice denied, silence from authorities. We urge the Honourable Council to request Pakistan to provide access to working groups, fact-finding mission, along with international NGO to prisoner who are incarcerated on charge of blasphemy, so that urgent and required legal aid can be delivered. We owe the victim our voice and the survivor our action. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Society for Development and Community Empowerment.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'm Ramesh Govindasamy Paryachi from Tamil Nadu, India.

I would like to bring into the limelight regarding racism and racial discrimination.

Mistreating over the minority oppressed people and dominating of the leaders, fighters, and activists who all come forward to.

Fight for the oppressed people by... The speaker is requested to slow down.

The state government has significantly failed to uphold Constitution...

The speaker is requested to slow down.

Such as equality and democratic governance undermining rule of law and public trust of accountability madam president on 27 September there was a tragedy stampede occurred in Tamil Nadu Karur district a political rally hosted by Mr. Vijay Tamil political leader 41 people were killed and more than 100 people are injured and hospitalized multiple investigation announced by the state department of Tamil Nadu and Indian government but none are satisfied.

Speaker is requested to slow down please.

Are demanding an open investigation either by the special officer or by the CBI department over this tragic incident because it was pure discrimination of the ruling government which neglected to arrange necessary precaution and security for the rally. And the state government filed a case against Mr. Felix Gerald from Redpeaks Media, along.

With several others were arrested for expressing their thoughts about the Karoo Stampede.

Madam President, Paria Parava, founder and president, Mr. Eppa Thandava Murthy was arrested over multiple fake case and under still kept in custody, which is unlawful and inhuman. I mean, in the government should stop filling the fake case against the oppressed people and their leader. We urge the United Nations Human Rights Council to recommend our Indian government either to direct the state government of Tamil Nadu to ensure the people's safety and the government in the problem.

Thank you. I give the floor to International Korea Support Association.

Madam Vice President. Bolivia is trapped in drug.

Trafficking and its horrors, forced labor, human exploitation, and abuses against human rights and fair trade principles. For 20 years, Evo Morales has led cocaine production, turning Bolivia into a narcotic state. While agriculture grows, education stagnates. Only 3% of students pass PISA math tests. Rural and indigenous people face deep poverty and exploitation. They are the first victims of Morales-Masista regime. Morales massacred communities, seized lands, and ruled with tyranny. He misused the Wiphala flag to mask betrayal, driven only by his lust for power. Now accused of crimes, including human trafficking and robbery, he hides in Bolivia's cocaine jungle, shielded by the MAS party. Justice can't come from Bolivia's corrupt courts.

Indigenous people must seek for accountability.

At the International Court of Justice. We urge this council to recommend that Bolivia's government guarantee fraud-free election on October 18, 2025, confront escalating drug cartels, restore judicial impartiality, and support indigenous and Andean regions through education and WTO-backed fair trade. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

I would like to call on everyone to adhere to language that is commensurate with the dignity inherent to the discussion on human rights issues. I count on your support in ensuring that a sense of respect permeates our discussion. Everyone has a right to express his or her views. But this should remain within the accepted framework. Tolerance and respect should be the key word of the work of the Council. With this in mind, I give the floor to Senator Zagros.

Madame Vice President, we draw the Council's attention to persistent institutionalized discrimination against non-Persian nations in Iran: Kurds, Baloch, and Azeri Turks are facing structural marginalization which blocks their access to economic, social, and cultural rights. This intolerance can be clearly seen in the judicial system. These communities are disproportionately affected by death sentences and executions. often after unfair trials that involve torture and forced confessions. This practice illustrates a discriminatory security policy. The right to self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter requires respect for equality and collective identity. This right must be fully guaranteed to the concerned nations. We call on Iran to recognize the diversity of its population immediately end these gross violations and fully comply with its international human rights obligations. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Egypt, Peace for Development and Human Rights.

Vice President.

The Sudanese army and its allied militias, such as the Sudan Shield Forces and the Shadow Battalions, bear criminal responsibility for the systemic violations committed against civilians in Sudan.

Based on racial discrimination.

These include ethnic cleansing campaigns targeting black populations in Western and Central Sudan.

As well as the enactment of discriminatory legislation, such as the so-called "foreign faces" laws, used to justify blatant.

Violations of the International Convention on.

Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.

Vice President, this discrimination is rooted in an institutional.

System that marginalizes minorities through the denial of basic services and the absence of political representation.

Hate speech is also used to legitimize killings, displacements, and arbitrary detention on the basis of ethnic identity.

Vice President, We call on the Human Rights Council to issue a clear dimension of these racially based crimes to mandate the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Fact-Finding Commission to prepare a dedicated report on the ethnic dimension of these violations and to.

Support transitional justice for programs and ensuring the representation of minorities in peacebuilding.

We stress that the absence of justice will only lead to further fragmentation and hatred within Sudanese society. Thank you, Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Arab European Forum for Dialogue and Human Rights.

Madam Vice President, women's empowerment is a precondition for the SDGs. The 2025 report pointed to certain gaps which are aggravating situation in economic and social terms, meaning that the international community must step up efforts to support economic activities. This contributes to peace and stability. The United Arab Emirates have comprehensive policies such as the National Strategy for Women's Empowerment 2031 and the Emirates Council to support pioneers. in SMEs, and this increases women's presence in the workplace. There are also other training programs in the United Arab Emirates, which have adopted other laws and initiatives on equal opportunities. We recommend that the Council focus on initiatives for women's empowerment and green initiatives. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to International Support for Human Rights.

President, freedom of religion and conviction are a basic value for peace and stability in human societies. The world is seeing a worrying rise in religious hatred and intolerance. The 2025 report of the Inter-American Commission on Religious Freedom shows that these challenges require concerted international efforts to protect freedom of belief and prevent discrimination. Certain countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, have become a model in promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence, with a Ministry for Tolerance and Coexistence and the National Program for Tolerance, as well as legislation to combat discrimination. This reflects a legislative and institutional effort for freedom of belief and protection of religious diversity. We call on the council to adopt mechanisms to exchange best practice on religious tolerance and to include freedom of religion and belief in the broader efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, and hate speech. These principles should also be included in international programs to strengthen educational, cultural and social systems, while stepping up efforts to combat Islamophobia and antisemitism to ensure a more inclusive, harmonious world. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to United for Human Rights.

Madam Vice President, today's world is facing many forms of discrimination, particularly in the economic sphere. Warring parties do not respect international.

Humanitarian law, including the UAE. by providing over 100 million US dollars to crises in many countries, including Yemen, Sudan, and Palestine, among others. The UAE has also established air bridges and humanitarian corridors, sheltered civilians in the Emirates Humanitarian City, and launched initiatives to support emergency response, such as the Sanid program, while fully committing to the protection of civilians and infrastructure. Madam Vice President, according to the latest UN reports, humanitarian response plans have received only 43% of their required funding, reflecting a substantial gap that necessitates urgent action. therefore recommend increasing States' contributions to humanitarian financing, ensuring strict adherence to non-discrimination in the provision and receipt of essential assistance, strengthening cooperation and coordination between the UN and humanitarian organizations, and drawing on successful experiences, most notably the UAE's, as the scalable models. We also stress the importance of developing effective mechanisms to protect humanitarian workers. Thank you.

International Agency for North-South Cooperation. I give the floor to Sustainable Development Enablement.

Madame Vice President,

The Sudanese army and its allied militias, such as the Al-Bahrat bin Malik battalions and the Sudan.

Shield Forces, bear direct.

Responsibility for systematic racist violations, including mass arrests, ethnic cleansing campaigns, denial of humanitarian assistance, and the targeting of specific ethnic groups based on their tribal and racial backgrounds.

This was exemplified in Wad Madani and the Kanabi areas in January 2025, where a horrific massacre was committed, involving deliberate killings and mass executions, resulting in the death of 146 civilians, the injury of hundreds, and the displacement of thousands.

Madame Vice-President, these violations represent a widespread pattern of systematic crimes perpetrated or facilitated by the Sudanese army amid official and military rhetoric that incites hatred and sustains policies of exclusion and marginalization. Such practices threaten the unity of Sudan and undermine the prospects for peace and national reconciliation.

Madam Vice-President.

We call upon your esteemed Council to unequivocally condemn these racist practices, to strengthen the mandate of the International Fact-Finding Mission and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and to impose sanctions on those responsible for ethnic cleansing and all violations based on racist practices.

We further call for ensuring the protection of survivors and witnesses, and for ending all forms of impunity.

And lack of accountability. Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Sustainable Development Enabled.

Mr. President, We are reminded that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance thrive when States normalize exclusion.

The recent developments in India provide a concerning example.

A peaceful faith-based campaign expressing the words "I love Muhammad, peace be upon him".

Has been met with a sweeping crackdown. According to credible data, more than 20 FIRs have been registered, about 1,500 individuals accused, and hundreds of Muslims arrested. Mr. President, the contrast is evident. Public spaces across India routinely display banners for Diwali, Navratri, and political events without interference.

Yet, when Muslims display a simple affirmation of their faith, those expressions are dismantled, participants detained, and community leaders imprisoned.

This selective enforcement of law raises serious questions about India's commitment to secularism and equality.

Equally troubling are the remarks by senior BJP political leaders, such as Vineet Katiyar, who openly called for Muslims to leave Ayodhya, declaring it belongs solely to their faith. Such rhetoric coming from positions of influence institutionalizes exclusion and fosters xenophobia. Mr. President, this situation constitutes clear discrimination on the basis of religion. We urge this Council to take cognizance and reaffirm that freedom of religion and equality before the law are non-derogable rights. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. My apologies, the last speaker was International Action for Peace and Sustainable Development by video. And that was the last speaker we could accommodate. With this last intervention, we have concluded the general debate under Item 9. Distinguished colleagues, I understand that a number of delegations have requested to exercise the right of reply on agenda Item 9. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lithuania. You have three minutes.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. I am exercising this right of reply in response to the statement made by the delegation of Belarus during the item 9 general debate today. I would like to point out that Lithuania takes its international obligations very seriously. We are committed to the protection of refugees, especially those escaping conflict and persecution in their countries of origin. However, we do not and will not tolerate the instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes. There is a clear distinction between regular, irregular, and instrumentalized migration. Belarusian authorities are directly involved in organizing artificial flow of irregular migration with aim to exert political pressure on its neighbors. Belarus deliberately and inhumanly put the lives and well-being of migrants in danger, including women, children, and those persons with vulnerable situations. Lithuania has protested such actions and inactions as grave violations of the protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea, and air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the protocol, which both Lithuania and Belarus are parties to. Moreover, Belarus has demonstrated a clear unwillingness to assist Lithuania and other European countries in combating migrant smuggling. Its border control agencies have repeatedly rejected Lithuania's requests for cooperation to suppress the smuggling of migrants. As a result, on 19 May 2025, Lithuania instituted proceedings against Belarus before the International Court of Justice. Lithuania contends that organized smuggling of migrants through Belarus to Lithuania is a transnational offense involving an organized criminal group, triggering the applicability of the protocol. Belarus' facilitation of mass illegal migration is a direct affront to principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other states. I thank you.

I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan. You have three minutes.

Thank you, Vice-President. We exercise the right of reply following unfounded erroneous information provided by the Center for Gender Justice and Women's Empowerment, Egypt Peace for Development and Human Rights, Japan Society for History Books, and other NGOs, which have used their presence here to launch propaganda campaigns against Sudan and undermine our policies. They are backed by militias which we are aware of, which hide behind Sudanese army factions. Sudan is committed to the Convention, and what we have heard is inaccurate. Sudan's army has its own system governing military operations. The army respects international human rights standards. The very structure of Sudan's army throughout represents the whole of Sudanese society and prohibits any ethnic or racial discrimination. What we have heard, therefore, runs counter to reality. These allegations were put forward by certain external parties. Sudan's army is committed to remedying the difficult situation in our country. We remind all NGOs that the militias that they seek to defend were the originators of massacres, including in Darfur. These NGOs must therefore stop spreading false information and document any violations committed in the north of Darfur and in the IDP camps by these militias. The camps are suffering violations because of the actions of rebel militias, despite our calls for peace. We have noted all of these horrors, and Sudan remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights and combating the rebel militias. We reserve the right to make criminal complaints against parties which use the Council.

This was the last speaker on my list. Is there any other delegation requesting to exercise the right of reply? I see none. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, with this last intervention, we have concluded the considerations of agenda item 9. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I declare open item 10 of the agenda entitled Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. We will now hold the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's oral update with the participation of the independent human rights expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti. according to the Council Resolution 58/32. It is my honor to welcome Mr. Volker Turk, High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent Human Rights Expert on Haiti. Mr. William O'Neil, who is joining us by video and VTC. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I now give the floor to the High Commissioner for Human Rights for his presentation.

Madam Vice-President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The human rights situation in Haiti has reached a boiling point. Since my last update to this Council in March, violence and human rights violations and abuses have escalated and intensified. I welcome yesterday's decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support Mission by transitioning it to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti. This is a strong signal of support for the Haitian people. International commitment and backing for this are urgent. Without them, the worst may yet to come for Haiti and the broader region. More than 16,000 people have been killed and some 7,000 people injured in armed violence since the 1st of January 2022. And that's when we began our monitoring on gang-related violence. Today, gangs are spreading fear beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, into nearby regions, including in the Lower Artibonite and in the Center Department. This violence is fertile ground for further cross-border arms, drugs, and human trafficking, which threaten to destabilize the wider subregion. An estimated 270,000 to 500,000 firearms are circulating illegally in Haiti, with most weapons in the hands of gangs. Gangs are killing and kidnapping people, extorting them at illegal checkpoints, hijacking trucks transporting food and other supplies, and burning and destroying homes, hospitals, schools, and public buildings. They are committing widespread sexual violence to assert dominance and territorial influence and displace people. The gangs kidnap women and girls and subject them to extreme brutality, including killing and sexual exploitation. My office is working with the authorities to step up investigations and prosecutions, including through specialized judicial units. I urge your strong support for programs to protect survivors of sexual violence. Madame la Vice-Présidente, le.

Madam Vice-President, the humanitarian toll is horrendous. Half of the population, 6 million souls, including 3.3 million children, need humanitarian aid. Around 1.3 million people, half of whom are children, once again, have fled their homes. Haiti is now among the five most worrying areas in the world. in terms of food insecurity. I am deeply concerned about the fate of children in Haiti. According to UNICEF, one child in seven does not go to school and that around another million children are at risk of dropping out of school. Furthermore, more and more children are victims of trafficking, victims of exploitation and forced recruitment, and this by gangs that sometimes use as They are used, in fact, as messengers, as people who are on the lookout, even people who bear weapons and have to fight against rival gangs, as well as against security forces and so-called self-defense units. We cannot imagine the long-term impact that all this is having on the children of Haiti and for Haitian society as a whole. In July, the authorities opened the first transit and guidance center in Port-au-Prince to provide temporary refuge and support for the reintegration of children who formerly belonged to armed gangs. We need more of these kinds of measures.

Distinguished participants, I am concerned that state law enforcement have used unnecessary and disproportionate lethal force in their operations against the gangs. For example, operations by law enforcement account for more than half of killings and injuries so far this year, a steep increase compared to 2024. Almost one third of people killed or injured were hit by stray bullets. Specialized police units have summarily executed 174 people this year for alleged affiliations with gangs. Since March, the government has stepped up its use of explosive drones in its anti-gang operations in Port-au-Prince. As of mid-September, drone strikes have killed at least 559 people, including 11 children. Most of these drone strikes are likely unlawful under international human rights law. The use of force by police and security personnel needs to respect the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution, and accountability. I urge the authorities to investigate all allegations of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force and ensure perpetrators, regardless of affiliation, are brought to justice. It is deeply worrying that so-called self-defense groups and spontaneous crowds of people have killed more than 500 alleged gang members this year, with the alleged support of police officers. A spiral of violence between gang members, the population, and the security forces will only add to people's feelings of insecurity. Efforts to restore security need to be rooted in human rights and go hand in hand with rebuilding the rule of law and justice in the country. The authorities, with the support of the international community, urgently need to root out impunity and corruption, including within state institutions. It is also crucial to take meaningful steps to bring perpetrators to account for the grave human rights violations and abuses that have been committed. In addition, work needs to begin to address the country's pervasive inequalities and poverty. Madam Vice-President, the people of Haiti need the unwavering attention and support of the international community. All States need to implement the Security Council's arms embargo in full to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition into Haiti, and enforcement at borders is absolutely crucial. I urge States to support the Gang Suppression Force with sufficient funding and personnel. It is vital to ensure that robust human rights safeguards underpin its work. My office is ready to continue providing advice on the conduct of operations in line with international human rights law. We can and must turn this situation around for the people of Haiti. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I now give the floor to Mr. William O'Neil for his presentation by video.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to this crucial meeting. I've been saying for quite some time now that Haiti faces the abyss. It is on the brink, that the situation is more than urgent. I sometimes feel like the boy who cried wolf, but this time I really believe it is a make or break moment for Haiti. I have worked in Haiti over many years, but I have never seen the situation as desperate as it is now. Most indicators are flashing red. Killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and destruction of properties are crippling what is left of Haiti's delicate social fabric. This violence is no longer contained to the capital. It is now spreading across large swaths of the country. Gang violence is the primary cause, but I'm alarmed by an increasing number of reports of extrajudicial executions by the Haitian National Police and killings and other human rights abuses conducted by self-defense brigades and non-organized members of the population. Gang violence also means millions of Haitians face food insecurity and have limited access to health care, clean water, and education. They often must flee for their lives from their homes. Over 1.3 million are displaced, one of the countries with the highest percentage of its population internally displaced. The situation has an impact on areas far outside those controlled by gangs. The gangs impose hefty taxes on all goods moving through their territories. They also extort money from businesses and markets, which must pay or else. This raises the cost of everything for people who already are barely surviving. I interviewed educators and medical professionals in the north and south, and they had similar stories, overcrowded schools, impossibly high costs of all materials, medical supplies, and fuel. The main hospital in Geronimo depends on periodic donations of fuel from an NGO so that it could turn its generator on. They have not had electricity supplies for over three years. The recent incursion by gangs into northern Haiti is especially alarming, as it is very hard to see how the government, local and international organizations would be able to respond. And the North Coast is where most of the boats leave filled with Haitians seeking to reach other countries, including in the Caribbean or the United States. In addition to a potential surge of people fleeing violence by land, the crisis might propel many to attempt dangerous smuggling journeys in overcrowded vessels on the high seas. Religious leaders and civil society members have issued a heart rending call for help a few weeks ago following a gang attack on the town of Bassin Bleu. A young teacher, beloved by the community, was among those killed by the gang, who also burned his body. We need to listen to their appeal for help.

I continue to receive heart-rending testimonies from the population suffering from this violence, and I quote: We have nowhere left to go. Violence and misery generated by gangs is insidious. It seeps into every nook and cranny of our lives. Fear and hunger grip our stomachs. Gradually, gangs are extending their territory. After Port-au-Prince and the department of L'ouest, other departments and other towns are falling into the hands of armed gangs. That is in particular the case of Artibonite and the town of Mirabelais, and it will be the case of Bassin Bleu. How did we get here? What can we do to exit this situation?

These are the questions many Haitians are asking now. We need to try to answer them. It is our common responsibility. I hope during our debate here that we can rally the solidarity of the international community in support of Haiti. helping identify pathways out of this downward spiral so that Haitians may finally enjoy the peace and prosperity they deserve.

I therefore invite you all to strongly defend Haiti's cause in your respective capitals. You will have to deploy considerable efforts and secure the support of all stakeholders in all areas. But each and every one, we must be deeply committed to human rights and give Haiti a chance. Let us ensure that this is the last time Haiti needs such support. Thank you very much. I very much look forward to our discussion. The time to act is now.

Thank you. According to our practice, we shall start by hearing the delegation of the country concerned. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Haiti. You have five minutes.

Madame Vice-President, High Commissioner, six months ago I appeared before you to describe the situation in my country, Haiti. Today, I'd like to say that matters are better. Sadly, in many neighborhoods, the night of violence has still not given, or moved to give place to the dawn of right of law. Today, families live in fear. Today, the youth sees hope disappear. I thank the High Commissioner for his oral update and the independent expert for his work and the Council for its constant determination to monitor the situation. The reality is raw. About 6 million people, including a million children, millions of children, need immediate aid straight away. Over 5 million are in food insecurity, and 1.3 million are displaced, IDPs in fact, in their own country. Schools are closed and quiet. The plates are empty. Fear causes markets to close. The school textbooks are closed. The roads are not safe anymore. Behind every figure, there is a face behind every percentage, a dignity behind every statistic, a story we refuse to abandon. The state is acting sometimes behind, not in the limelight, but constantly, we have tried to stem violence, states of emergency that we targeted to prevent the people reorganizing our security situation to make our response more effective. The police has stemmed the flow of weapons. We've coordinated with the United Nations and our partners to reopen classes, reestablish his healthcare, secure access to water. Nothing is perfect, but nothing is standing still. Our government is doing what it can with the means it has, with the humble certainty that every. A day that we win over fear is a day we give back to life. We express our deep thanks to the UN for the recent allocation of $9 million by the Central Emergency Fund. 9 million gives us a breath of fresh air. That is water, shelters, classrooms. However, 90% of the humanitarian response plan is still not funded. We call upon donors to express solidarity towards the Haitian people and meet this call for funds. We also thank all states standing side by side with Haiti, and we'd like to mention in particular those delegations who have relayed Haiti's voice at the 80th session of the General Assembly at the podium. We also welcome the recent adoption of resolution 2793 of the Security Council. Solidarity is not just a word, it is an act which saves. Excellencies, The needs remain crying. Millions of children are deprived of the fundamental right to education. Millions of people are deprived of the right to health. Millions of families are deprived of their right to feed themselves. Millions of men and women are deprived of their right to live in dignity and in security. Because when you teach a child, violence wanes. When you heal a mother, the community breathes. When you feed a family, peace returns. We ask you to speed up your financial support to remedy the financial deficit to support humanitarian access. We live in paradoxical times. Humanity has never had as much knowledge, know-how and means, but yet the humanity deficit has never been so big. what cost we want to make progress, not at the price of millions of souls killed and dehumanization, but we do want to ensure that hunger ends up in museums, pollution in school books, and justice and discrimination in the archives of libraries. Today still, children die of malnutrition. Today still, children can't go to school. Today still, minorities are assaulted. Today still, women are oppressed. How long will we keep on saying, "Today still," quote, unquote. In all four corners of the world, peoples who are suffering call for just action based on solidarity. We're not asking you to do the impossible. We're asking you to do what is indispensable. We need resources that meet our humanitarian needs. We need life corridors for humanitarian aid. We need sustainable support and stabilization for and recovery. Let us build bridges rather than walls. Let us extend hands rather than point fingers, let us light lamps rather than multiply shadows. Kofi Annan reminded us we will not enjoy development without security, we won't enjoy security without development, we won't enjoy either without human rights being respected. After all, where do human rights begin? Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us, and I quote, "Human rights begin in small communities, in our neighborhoods, so close and so small that you can't see them on the map of the world." End of quote. That is where the future of Haiti is taking place, in the classroom, in the mobile clinic, return to the child and the mother, in the street where life is returned. Let us Chaos into calm, urgency into hope, assistance into effective rights, survival into a future. We owe it to our children. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to the very idea of the United Nations. I thank you.

Thank you. The list of speakers is now closed. I now invite interested delegations to ask questions to the presenters and to make comments on their statements. I would also like to remind you that the speaking time is one minute, 30 seconds. I give the floor to Norway on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States. We thank the High Commissioner and Mr O'Neill for their updates, and we remain gravely concerned by reports of ongoing and escalating human rights violations and abuses in Haiti. We reiterate our support for efforts to restore stability, rebuild democratic institutions, and ensure accountability. Sexual and gender-based violence has reached unprecedented levels. Rape and sexual slavery are reportedly used as tools of intimidation and control by criminal gangs. Women and girls, of course, are disproportionately affected, while the collapse of judicial institutions and systemic weaknesses in the rule of law leave survivors with virtually no access to justice or protection. And like you just pointed out, High Commissioner, and also our colleague from Haiti, the situation of children is particularly alarming. An entire generation is being deprived of their rights to safety and education. So there is indeed an urgent need for stronger international assistance, and we note the recent developments to this end. not only to curb the violence, but also to uphold human rights, protect civilians, including children, ensure accountability, support to victims and survivors, and facilitate the reintegration of children recruited by criminal gangs. High Commissioner, how can the international community best contribute to achieving these objectives? I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to European Union.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President, Mr. Vice-President, thank you. Commissioner, independent expert, the international community must help Haiti to put an end to the mass human rights violations and to restore the rule of law and democratic governance. The situation is extremely serious. Women and girls live under the permanent threat of sexual and gender-based violence. Children are victims of forced recruitment and are used by gangs. The EU supports the transformation of the multinational mission to support the security into a force to suppress gangs, as well as to the drug trafficking. On 15 July, we adopted new sanctions against the gang leaders. We, in 2025, will spend 20 million euros for humanitarian aid in Haiti. The EU supports the creation of lasting structures based on human rights, especially in the education public basic services and food security. We call upon the Haitian politicians to meet their responsibilities and to adopt lasting solutions for the future of Haiti. Mr. Commissioner, high expert, your work is useful to document the violations and identify and support Haiti in implementing the reforms it needs to implement. What will be the role of OHCHR in the new force created to suppress gangs, which has just been adopted, approved by the Security Council. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Bahamas on behalf of Caribbean community.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the CARICOM group in Geneva. We thank the High Commissioner for his oral update and Mr. O'Neill for his insights. CARICOM joins in expressing grave concern over the deepening human rights, security, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The UN Secretary-General previously underscored that urgent, coordinated action is required to protect civilians and restore stability. CARICOM fully supported this call with a view to ensuring that any mission remains accountable, respects due diligence, and is integrated with Haitian-led institutions and civil society. In this connection, CARICOM foreign ministers on September 23, 25, expressed support for the draft Security Council resolution that proposed the transition of the MSSM to a strengthened gang suppression force, complemented by a UN support office. We therefore echo the statement made yesterday by the CARICOM ambassadors in New York, wholeheartedly welcoming the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council and underscoring the need to ensure sustainable, predictable sourcing of the GSF by all international partners. We also call for the urgent capitalization of the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti. Caricom will continue to stand with Haiti in support of all Haitian-led solutions and to work with the UN and other regional and international partners in supporting the country on a path to lasting peace, to dignity, and to justice for the Haitian people. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Dominican Republic.

Gracias. Thank you, Madame Vice-President. The Dominican Republic is grateful for the report, and we fully share the concerns voiced therein. For my country, the Haitian disaster is a share that affects us deeply, because we share the same island, as you know, and we have a common history also. The Haitian people is trapped in a multidimensional crisis in which human rights protection is the first victim. Millions have lost their dignity and their right to live in peace. That's why we support also resolution 2793 of the UN Security Council, which establishes the creation of a force to get rid of gangs with a clear mandate and under the supervision of the UN. This opens up a window of hope, but it will only have a transformative impact if it goes hand in hand with international solidarity and the resources needed to strengthen Haitian institutions as they endeavour to combat corruption, violence, and impunity, and guaranteeing, thus, the absolute respect for human rights and a peaceful political transition. Without justice, there will be no democracy nor free elections in Haiti. Its stability also means the stability of all our region. We need to act firmly, but with humanity. The Haitian people deserve to live free of fear and recover its hope. Thank you very much, Madam Vice-President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Jamaica.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Jamaican delegation thanks the High Commissioner and the experts on human rights for their sobering updates on the grave human rights situation in Haiti. Jamaica remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in our sister nation, the continuous internal displacement of people, as well as the numerous outward migratory trends, despite the deployment of the MSSM over two resolution cycles. We commend the High Commissioner's continued engagement and echo the call for a coordinated response for the protection of civilians, especially women and children, unimpeded humanitarian access, restoration of the rule of law and democratic institutions for accountability and justice. Jamaica is deeply encouraged by the increased advocacy for Haiti that has prompted the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2793, authorizing a UN support office in Haiti and the establishment of the GSF as the successor to the MSSM. We align the statement-- align with the statement just delivered by the Bahamas on behalf of the CARICOM group in Geneva. As a member of CARICOM, Jamaica reiterates our commitment to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at restoring peace, stability, and democratic governance in Haiti, including our role in the standing group of partners for the GSF. These are critical prerequisites if Haiti is to embark on a process of economic growth and development, build its resilience, and achieve prosperity for its people. This is our desire for Haiti and all Haitians.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Mexico.

Thank you, my Vice President. Mexico voices its concern about the violence stemming from the use of armed weapons in Haiti, frustrating the exercise of human rights. We urge people to scale up efforts to combat trafficking, the unlawful trafficking of weapons to slow down the violence of gangs. We underscore the need to combat the participation of boys and girls and adolescents in gangs. through effective prevention and integration, social integration programs. We absolutely must adopt judicial programs and strategies to stop the killings, general violence, as well as corruption and impunity, which perpetuates the crisis. We hope that a multinational force to combat the criminal gangs, approved by the Security Council, will produce results. Also, a priority is to prevent, attend to, and sanction violence and gender-based violence, including the sexual exploitation, and guarantee at all times the rights of victims. Finally, Mexico restates its commitment to find sustainable solutions that strengthen security cooperation, democracy, and respect of human rights in Haiti. Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you. I give the floor to Chile.

My name is President. Chile is grateful for the update by the High Commissioner and the contributions from the independent expert. We voice our deepest concern about the scaling up of the human rights crisis in Haiti. According to the last, uh, binu report, there have been 1,500 deaths, 609 injured, 185 abducted, and 628 victims of sexual violence. These data confirms that there's a systematic pattern of abuse by armed groups, which use terror, sexual coercion, and territorial control to subjugate communities. In addition, internal displacement has reached dramatic figures of 1.3 million people have been forced to move inside the country. These and facts hurt most the most vulnerable, deepening the crisis of access to basic services such as education and protection. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2793 of the Security Council, which authorizes the transition towards a force to get rid of gangs, as a force to establish order and to permit conditions to organize credible elections. However, we underscore the fact that the operations of the mission must be adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, focusing in particular on protecting women, children, and vulnerable groups with robust accountability mechanisms. Finally, we urge the international community to remain vigilant and to support the Haitian people with effective assistance and sustained assistance at these critical times. Thank you.

Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate this morning. Excellencies, distinguished participants, This brings us to the end of this meeting. We will reconvene this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. to continue the interactive dialogue on High Commissioner's oral update on the situation of human rights in Haiti, to be followed by the interactive dialogue independent expert on Central African Republic. I hereby close the 37th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council.