OHCHR | Feature Stories

Feature Stories

UN expert urges action against xenophobia related to COVID-19
Governments must ensure that their response to the COVID-19 pandemic does not contribute to xenophobia and racial discrimination, said the UN Special Rapporteur on racism.
23 March 2020

Victims mount as extreme nationalism fuels racism
From Montenegro to New Zealand, racist intimidation and violence cast a dark shadow over this year’s global commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
1 April 2019

Ethno-nationalism denies millions their citizenship rights - anti-racism expert
States have used access to citizenship and immigration status as a discriminatory tool to deny the human rights of minorities, the UN expert on racism, Tendayi Achiume, says.
5 July 2018

Tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity
Experts at the Human Rights Council mark anti-racism day by discussing ways to tackle global manifestations of racial discrimination and successes in promoting tolerance.
21 March 2018

Eliminating racial discrimination to build trusting societies
The UN Human Rights Council commemorates the International Day against Racial Discrimination with a debate on racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration.
21 March 2017

Target hate speech and hate crimes, Zeid urges States
Hate speech and hate crimes make it necessary for us all to take a stand against racism and xenophobia, Zeid says in a call to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
20 March 2017

The spectre of nationalistic and xenophobic politics looms over migrants and refugees
UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Mutuma Ruteere says that the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants should emphasise the need to denounce and hold accountable politicians who are promoting and spreading xenophobia against migrants and refugees.
14 September 2016

Fighting for equality for Romani women and girls in Moldova
Romani women and girls in Moldova often have lower levels of education, significantly higher rates of unemployment and poorer health than the rest of the population, according to a UN Human Rights Office report.
21 March 2014

A new electronic database helps eradicate racial discrimination
A new database, developed by the UN Human Rights Office, illustrates existing measures and practices to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at the international, regional and national levels.
16 September 2013

Time to kick racism out of football
“Sport at its best is inclusive, generous-hearted and fundamentally multicultural, based on values such as teamwork, loyalty, merit and self-control”, said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at a panel discussion on racism in sport.
22 March 2013

Between Free Speech and Hate Speech: The Rabat Plan of Action, a practical tool to combat incitement to hatred
The Rabat Plan of Action to combat incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence, which was presented by internationally recognized experts, provides practical tools to States, the UN system, political and religious leaders, the civil society and the
21 February 2013

Combatting racist messages in the virtual world
The Internet has become a leading source for receiving and sending information all over the world. It is also used by extremist groups and individuals to spread messages of hate and incite racial violence, says a UN Human Rights Expert.
21 December 2012

Mandela: an exemplary citizen with a steadfast belief in human rights
The UN Human Rights Council reflects on the protection and promotion of human rights through the values of reconciliation, peace, freedom and racial equality as espoused by Nelson Mandela.
28 September 2012

Fighting extremism for the sake of human rights
States must protect vulnerable groups against extremist organizations, says expert on racism.
13 October 2011

Tolerance and reconciliation are key to a just and equitable society
The UN Human Rights Council reflects on the protection and promotion of human rights through tolerance and reconciliation.
28 September 2011

Let’s fight racism!
On the occasion of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay reflects on the persistence of racism in the world and on the legacy of the past.
22 September 2011

Better protection against discrimination for Roma and victims of caste systems
The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism presents his report on discrimination against the Roma, as well as on the grounds of work and descent.
14 June 2011

People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development
The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent meets to address the human rights concerns of Afro-descendants.
30 March 2011

In remembrance of 30 million victims of slavery
On 25 March, people the world over remember the 30 million victims of the slave trades
25 March 2011

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, UN human rights Chief Navi Pillay pays special attention to people of African descent.
22 March 2011

Expert workshop on the prohibition of incitement to hatred
Experts meet in Vienna to focus on the implementation of the prohibition of incitement to national, racial or religious hatred in Europe.
18 February 2011

Bringing visibility to the plight of African descendants in the Americas
On this International Year for People of African descent, we highlight the stories of human rights defenders working to stop discrimination in the Americas.
15 February 2011

Defending the rights of African descendants in the Americas
On this International Year for People of African descent, we highlight the stories of human rights defenders working to stop discrimination in South America.
3 February 2011

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Racial discrimination and emerging digital technologies (2020)

Reparations for colonialism and slavery (2019)

Natural resource extractivism and racial equality (2019)

The threat of nationalist populism (2018)

Racial discrimination in the context of citizenship, nationality and immigration (2018)

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Contact information

Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
Email: ohchr-racism.un@org

Others involved

Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent

International Decade for People of African Descent

Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

The Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary standards

Intergovernmental Working group on the Effective implementation and Follow-up to the Durban declaration and Programme of Action

International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

External links

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteurship on the rights of persons of African descent and on racial discrimination

European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)