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ICERD both require States to take immediate and effective measures — through teaching,
education, culture and information — to combat prejudice and foster understanding,
tolerance and friendship among nations and racial or ethnic groups. The Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action reinforces this obligation, underscoring the transformative role of
education in addressing attitudes and behaviours rooted in racism and related intolerance,
and — at paragraph 97 — specifically emphasizing human rights education for children and
young people as a preventive tool against discrimination.
14.
The Special Rapporteur further draws attention to the United Nations Action Plan to
Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism, launched in January 2025, which
consolidates existing United Nations policies and frameworks addressing antisemitism and
sets out recommendations to strengthen United Nations responses in accordance with
international human rights law.
III. Submissions from Member States
15.
In this section, the Special Rapporteur summarizes information submitted by Member
States, including information on existing laws and policies to counter Nazism and neoNazism and other practices that fuel contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. However, she does not analyse or evaluate those laws or
policies. She emphasizes that summarizing a submission does not constitute an endorsement
of its content.
Azerbaijan
16.
Azerbaijan outlined its legal framework protecting against discrimination, reporting
that equal rights are guaranteed under its Constitution and national legislation for all persons,
irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, origin, property status, occupation,
beliefs, or affiliation with political parties, trade union organizations or other public
associations. In 2023, the mandate of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman)
was reportedly expanded to include independent monitoring functions to review and promote
the right to equality and prevent discrimination, informed by recommendations of the
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). A dedicated unit has been
established within the Office of the Ombudsman to oversee and investigate complaints
relating to violations of the right to equality.
17.
Azerbaijan provided information about its criminal law provisions prohibiting
incitement to national, racial, social or religious hatred and enmity, the humiliation of
national dignity, and the dissemination of content promoting racial or ethnic discrimination,
including through the media. Azerbaijan also highlighted the role of the Baku International
Multiculturalism Centre, established in 2014, as an institutional framework for promoting
tolerance and multiculturalism through education, research and international outreach.
Azerbaijan further reaffirmed its commitment to preventing the glorification of Nazism and
Fascism and to countering the distortion of Second World War history, observing 9 May as
the Day of Victory over Fascism.
Iraq
18.
Iraq provided information about its constitutional framework protecting against
discrimination, reporting that Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the
law for all Iraqis without distinction on grounds of gender, race, nationality, origin, colour,
religion, sect, belief or economic or social status. Articles 14–21 further affirm rights to
equality, life, security, liberty and equal opportunity. Iraq also reported that Article 2(2) of
the Constitution guarantees full religious rights to all individuals, including Christians,
Yazidis and Sabian Mandaeans. It also reported that Article 3 of the Constitution affirms
Iraq's multi-ethnic and multi-religious character and its commitment to equal citizenship and
social cohesion. Iraq reported that a draft law on the regulation of minority rights and the
prevention of discrimination has been prepared and is currently under legal review, and that
a national strategy for managing social diversity has been developed, with the aim of
consolidating peaceful coexistence and rejecting hate speech and discrimination.
4