A/HRC/61/33 I. Introduction 1. On 4 April 2024, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 55/15 on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, in which it requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to present an annual report on relevant developments of United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms and on the activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at headquarters and in the field that contribute to the promotion of and respect for the provisions of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. 2. In the same resolution, the Human Rights Council urged States to take appropriate measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against minorities and to promote their full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of public life. In the resolution, the need to address multiple, aggravated and intersecting forms of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender and disability, is highlighted, as is advancing the development and implementation of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and policies. The Council encouraged States to ratify and accede and adhere to relevant international instruments that protect minority rights. 3. The year 2025 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, representing an important milestone in the global commitment to combat racism and promote equality. Adopted in 1965, the Convention was the first core international human rights treaty and remains a cornerstone in the protection of minority rights. To commemorate this occasion, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination led a collaborative year-long campaign with United Nations anti-racism mechanisms and minority rights bodies, encouraging States, civil society and other stakeholders to engage in initiatives that reaffirm the Convention’s enduring relevance and renew the global commitment to a world free from racial discrimination.1 4. In March, United Nations experts warned that 60 years of progress since the adoption of the Convention were at risk, due to the increasing instrumentalization of racism and xenophobia in political discourse. They emphasized that racial discrimination remained deeply entrenched, disproportionately affecting minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people of African and Asian descent, migrants and refugees. They urged States to end impunity, prevent hate speech and algorithmic bias and engage meaningfully with reparatory justice and United Nations anti-racism mechanisms.2 5. Also in March, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, Free & Equal, the United Nations campaign for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other people with sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions and sex characteristics that are perceived not to conform to social norms (LGBTIQ+ people), launched the social media initiative entitled “The fight to end racism must involve all of us”. The campaign featured quote cards highlighting LGBTIQ+ and Indigenous and racial minority human rights defenders from around the world, short video clips and a human interest story, calling upon allies to stand up against racism and discrimination.3 6. At the regional level, in March the OHCHR Regional Office for South America organized two virtual activities with civil society to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and 60 years since of the adoption of the Convention. The events were aimed at renewing regional commitment to eradicating racist ideas and practices and included a seminar with experts and a dialogue focused on the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to Ecuador. 1 2 3 2 See www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cerd/60th-anniversary-international-convention-elimination-allforms-racial-discrimination. See www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/03/sixty-years-progress-risk-time-stopinstrumentalising-racism-and. See www.unfe.org/updates/the-fight-to-end-racism-must-involve-all-of-us. GE.25-21065