A/80/496 I. Introduction 1. The present report, submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 52/36, contains an exploration of the topic of conflict and racial discrimination. The report is informed by submissions received in response to a call for submissions addressed to States and other stakeholders, including civil society organizations, international organizations and national human rights institutions. The Special Rapporteur thanks those that submitted information. II. Conflict and racial discrimination 2. It is timely and important to examine the dynamics between conflict and racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Violent conflict has intensified in recent years, and the human rights-related impact is severe. The escalation in global conflict has been devastating, and the impact of conflict is not borne equally, with those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups all too often being subjected to the most severe and irreparable consequences. The interconnections between racial discrimination, including systemic racism, and violent conflict and its consequences are complex and multidimensional. It is explicitly recognized in the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are often both root causes and consequences of conflict and related displacement. 3. The report begins with an analysis of the connections between conflict and racial discrimination at various stages of conflict. It continues with an outline of the relevant international legal frameworks and the related obligations of States. The importan ce and urgency of significantly increasing investment in anti-racism and conflict prevention and resolution, as interconnected and mutually reinforcing goals, is stressed in the report’s conclusion, and a series of related recommendations is presented. 4. For the present report, the term “conflict” is understood by the Special Rapporteur in broad terms. In line with the work of one of her predecessors, she adopts a broad understanding of the term to encompass international and non-international armed conflict, as well as political and social unrest, including acts of violence targeting specific population groups. 1 The report addresses concerns about the impact of conflict on all groups that fall under her mandate, including Africans and people of African descent; Indigenous Peoples; those facing xenophobia on the basis of their national origin; Asians and people of Asian descent; Jewish communities; Muslim communities; those from oppressed castes; Roma persons; Palestinians; and any other people of groups with experiences of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The report also addresses concerns about those from these racialized groups who face intersectional forms of discrimination, including women, LGBTQI+ persons, migrants, including refugees and asylum-seekers, and persons with disabilities. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to highlight at the outset of the present report that its focus is on global, overarching trends. __________________ 1 25-16958 See A/HRC/14/43. 3/21