A/HRC/14/43 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 30 March 2010 Original: English Human Rights Council Fourteenth session Agenda item 9 Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance: follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Githu Muigai Summary According to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance “are an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among peoples and nations, and are among the root causes of many internal and international conflicts, including armed conflicts”. Against this background, the present report is aimed at providing an analysis of how racism, racial discrimination and conflict interrelate. Since the impact of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance may vary depending on the stage of the conflict, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance examines three situations, namely, before, during and after a conflict. In chapter II, the Special Rapporteur analyses how racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance may act as factors contributing to the triggering of tensions or acts of violence. In doing so, he focuses on issues relating to the debates surrounding the concept of so-called “national identity”, socio-economic discrimination affecting individuals along group lines and the political manipulation of racist or nationalist ideology. These issues, if unaddressed or dealt with in an inappropriate manner, might contribute to the triggering of tensions and eventually conflict. In chapter III, the Special Rapporteur examines how hate speech based on racist ideology may exacerbate and aggravate violence perpetrated against certain individuals or groups of individuals in situations of conflict. In his view, racist ideology tends to create a culture of victimization and to dehumanize certain categories of persons believed to be less equal. In situations of conflict, victimization and dehumanization may then become effective tools to incite people to commit acts of violence against specific individuals and groups of individuals. In chapter IV, taking the view that it is necessary to address adequately the root causes of a conflict in order to avoid the resurgence of tensions and violence, the Special GE.10-12566 (E) 190410