A/RES/55/84
Welcoming the outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights, held at
Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, and, in particular, the attention given in the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action 6 to the elimination of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance,
Stressing the importance and sensitivity of the activities of the Special
Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on contemporary forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling with satisfaction the proclamation, in resolution 48/91 of
20 December 1993, of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination, which began in 1993, and the adoption, in resolution 49/146 of
23 December 1994, of the revised Programme of Action for the Third Decade to
Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,
Noting with grave concern that, despite the efforts of the international
community, the principal objectives of the two previous Decades have not been
attained and that millions of human beings continue to the present day to be the
victims of varied forms of racism and racial discrimination,
Noting with great concern that, despite the efforts undertaken by the
international community at various levels, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related forms of intolerance, ethnic antagonism and acts of violence are showing
signs of increase in many parts of the world and that the number of associations
established on the basis of racist and xenophobic platforms and charters is
increasing, as reflected in the report of the Special Rapporteur, 7
Deeply concerned that, despite continuing efforts, contemporary forms of
racism and racial discrimination, many forms of discrimination against, inter alia,
blacks, Arabs, Muslims and Christians, xenophobia, Negrophobia, anti-Semitism
and related intolerance persist or are even growing in magnitude, incessantly
adopting new forms, including tendencies to establish policies based on racial,
religious, ethnic, cultural and national superiority or exclusivity,
Noting with concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance may be aggravated by, inter alia, inequitable distribution of wealth,
marginalization and social exclusion,
Recognizing that the promotion of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity
is an important factor, among others, in eliminating racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance,
Alarmed that technological developments in the field of communications,
including the Internet, continue to be utilized by various groups engaged in violent
activity to promote racist and xenophobic propaganda aimed at inciting racial hatred
and to collect funds to sustain violent campaigns against multi-ethnic societies
throughout the world,
Noting that the use of such technologies can also contribute to combating
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
6
7
2
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
See A/55/304.