A/HRC/RES/48/18 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 14 October 2021 Original: English Human Rights Council Forty-eighth session 13 September–11 October 2021 Agenda item 9 Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance: follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 11 October 2021 48/18. From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance The Human Rights Council, Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including those of promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and reaffirming also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Emphasizing the relevance of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as an important international instrument to combat the scourge of racism, and in this regard noting with concern that the commitment made at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to achieve universal ratification of this primary instrument by 2005 was regrettably not fulfilled, and recalling the need to elaborate complementary international standards as recommended in paragraph 199 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Acknowledging the importance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a milestone in the common fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as it addresses the deep historical roots of contemporary racism, acknowledges that slavery and the slave trade are – and should always have been – crimes against humanity, takes into account the legacy of some of the most appalling chapters of human history, and constitutes a holistic call to action that encompasses measures to deliver remedies to victims of racism, to strengthen education and awareness-raising, to fight poverty and marginalization and to secure inclusive sustainable development, Noting with concern that the lack of public knowledge about the content of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action has constituted a serious obstacle in generating political will for its full and effective implementation, 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 States, GE.21-14769(E)