A/76/369
I. Introduction
1.
The present report is submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to resolution
75/169, in which the Assembly requested the Special Rapporteur on contemporary
forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to submit
a report on the implementation of that resolution to the General Assembly at its
seventy-sixth session.
2.
In the report, the Special Rapporteur summarizes information received from
Member States with regard to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolution.
She thanks Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, the Russian
Federation and Tunisia for their contributions. She also expresses her gratitude for
the submissions from the World Health Organization (WHO) and civil society actors.
3.
The Special Rapporteur outlines the governing principles and obligations of
racial equality and non-discrimination, highlighting their application in combating
racism and xenophobia. As highlighted in previous repor ts, she reminds Member
States of the strong commitment required to tackle the increase in hate crime and
incitement to violence targeting ethnic, racial and religious minorities worldwide.
II. Summary of submissions from Member States
4.
In the present section, the Special Rapporteur summarizes submissions received
from Member States on law and policy in place to combat Nazism, neo -Nazism and
other practices that fuel racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance. However, she does not analyse or evaluate these laws or policies. She
underscores that, by providing these summaries of State submissions, she does not
endorse or corroborate the content of the submissions. Indeed, some of the laws and
policies summarized below may be, or have been, subject to review and condemnation
by other actors within the United Nations human rights system for being in
contravention of international human rights law.
Azerbaijan
5.
The Government of Azerbaijan referred to its contribution to th e victory over
fascism in the second world war. According to the Government, Azerbaijan has been
a home for different ethnic and religious groups, which have been living in the country
in harmony, mutual respect, tolerance and peace as one family. The Gove rnment also
stated that Azerbaijan enjoys a strong record of accomplishment in terms of the
promotion of intercultural and interreligious tolerance.
6.
The Government of Azerbaijan reaffirmed its determination in ensuring the
equal enjoyment of human rights and freedoms by all of its citizens, irrespective of
their ethnic or religious affiliations. The submission referred to article 25 of the
Azerbaijani Constitution, which provides equal rights to everyone, irrespective of
race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, origin, property status, occupation, beliefs or
affiliation with political parties, trade union organizations or other public
associations.
7.
The Government alleged instances of hatred against Azerbaijanis in
neighbouring Armenia. According to Azerbaijan, official discriminatory discourse in
Armenia is reflected at the highest political level and in the media, as well as through
online hate speech against Azerbaijanis. In its submission, the Government described
how this discourse also permeates the religious sphere and how it has contributed to
fuelling contemporary forms of racial discrimination and related intolerance.
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