The incompatibility between democracy and racism
Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/41
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Recalling the commitment reached in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) concerning the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling also its resolutions 2000/40 of 20 April 2000, 2001/43 of 23 April 2001 and 2002/39 of 23 April 2002,
Taking note of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in September 2001 by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (A/CONF.189/12),
Mindful of the responsibility of Governments to ensure such equality as is established in the relevant international and regional human rights instruments, inter alia the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Reaffirming that acts of racial violence and discrimination do not constitute legitimate expressions of opinion, but rather are offences,
Remaining alarmed by the rise of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in political circles, in the sphere of public opinion and in society at large,
Recognizing the fundamental role of education and other active policies in the promotion of tolerance and respect for others and in the construction of pluralistic and inclusive societies,
1. Remains convinced that political platforms and organizations based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination must be condemned as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable governance;
2. Condemns legislation and practices based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable governance;
3. Reaffirms that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance condoned by governmental policies violate human rights and may endanger friendly relations among peoples, cooperation among nations, international peace and security and the harmony of persons living side by side within one and the same State;
4. Also reaffirms that any form of impunity condoned by public authorities for crimes motivated by racist and xenophobic attitudes plays a role in weakening the rule of law and democracy and tends to encourage the recurrence of such acts;
5. Condemns the persistence and resurgence of neo-Nazism, neo-fascism and violent nationalist ideologies based on racial or national prejudice, and states that these phenomena can never be justified in any instance or in any circumstances;
6. Urges States to reinforce their commitment to promote tolerance and human rights and to fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as a way to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance, and in that regard recommends measures such as introducing or reinforcing human rights education in schools and in institutions of higher education;
7. Underlines the key role that political leaders and political parties can and ought to play in strengthening democracy by combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and encourages political parties to take concrete steps to promote solidarity, tolerance and respect;
8. Invites the mechanisms of the Commission and the treaty bodies to continue to pay particular attention to violations of human rights stemming from the rise of racism and xenophobia in political circles and society at large, especially as regards their incompatibility with democracy;
9. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (E/CN.4/2003/62 and Add.1);
10. Also takes note of the outcome of the expert seminar held by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva in November 2002 on the interdependence between democracy and human rights, as contained in document E/CN.4/2003/59;
11. Invites the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to update and expand the study on the issue of political platforms which promote or incite racial discrimination (A/CONF.189/PC.2/21 and Corr.1 and 2) and to submit it to the Commission at its sixtieth session;
12. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its sixtieth session under the same agenda item.
23 April 2003
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
http://www.unhchr.ch
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