A/HRC/RES/43/1
Recognizing that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
have a deep negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights, and therefore require a united
and comprehensive response from the international community,
Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 7/34 of 28 March 2008, and all
subsequent resolutions on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including those of the
Commission on Human Rights,
Taking note of the historic resolution on racial discrimination in the United States of
America adopted at the first ordinary session of the Assembly of African Heads of State and
Government of the Organization of African Unity, held in Cairo from 17 to 24 July 1964,
and the statement made by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission which
condemned the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, United States of America, on 25 May
2020,
Taking note also of the statement made by the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights on 8 June 2020 expressing its strong condemnation of the murder of George Floyd
and repudiating structural racism, the systemic violence against Afro-Americans, impunity
and the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officers,
Recalling the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic
Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,
Encouraging States to look into their manuals and guidelines used for training law
enforcement officers with a view to identifying the proportionality of measures in the
handling of suspects and other persons in custody, with respect to the treatment of Africans
and people of African descent,
Reaffirming the importance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in
advancing racial equality, ensuring equal opportunities for all, guaranteeing equality before
the law and promoting social, economic and political inclusion without distinctions based on
race, age, sex, disability, descent, national or ethnic origin, religion or economic or other
status,
Welcoming all statements made by the special procedures regarding the killing of
George Floyd, and in particular their joint statement of 5 June 2020, and the statement made
by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 June 2020,
1.
Strongly condemns the continuing racially discriminatory and violent practices
perpetrated by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent, in
particular which led to the death of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 in Minnesota, as referred
to in the ninth preambular paragraph above, and the deaths of other people of African descent,
and also condemns the structural racism in the criminal justice system;
2.
Deplores the recent incidents of excessive use of force and other human rights
violations by law enforcement officers against peaceful demonstrators defending the rights
of Africans and of people of African descent;
3.
Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the
assistance of relevant special procedure mandate holders, to prepare a report on systemic
racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African
descent by law enforcement agencies, especially those incidents that resulted in the death of
George Floyd and other Africans and people of African descent, to contribute to
accountability and redress for victims;
4.
Also requests the High Commissioner to examine government responses to
anti-racism peaceful protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters,
bystanders and journalists;
5.
Calls upon all States and all relevant stakeholders to cooperate fully with the
High Commissioner in the preparation of the report;
6.
Requests the High Commissioner to provide an oral update on the preparation
of her report to the Human Rights Council at its forty-fifth and forty-sixth sessions, and to
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