A/79/316
Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Ashwini K.P.
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ashwini K.P., examines
special measures, which are targeted benefits for underrepresented or marginalized
racial and ethnic groups, aimed at achieving substantive equality. The Special
Rapporteur notes the significant lack of understanding, awareness and adoption of
special measures globally. She reminds States that special measures are an integral
component in addressing systemic racial inequalities, which are frequently rooted in
historical patterns of enslavement, colonialism and apartheid. The Special Rapporteur
offers recommendations to States and other stakeholders to improve the effective
implementation of international human rights law obligations r elating to special
measures. The Special Rapporteur calls upon States to design special measures on the
basis of a robust understanding of systemic racism and disaggregated data; seek the
active participation of intended beneficiaries; address intersection al discrimination;
accompany special measures with broader anti-racism and equality measures;
implement monitoring systems; and avoid the premature withdrawal of special
measures. The Special Rapporteur also calls for greater efforts in increasing
understanding and awareness of the root causes of systemic racial inequalities and the
crucial role of special measures in combating the legacies of historical wrongs. In
addition, the Special Rapporteur summarizes the activities that she has undertaken
since reporting to the General Assembly in October 2023.
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