A/HRC/33/61 contributed to the global objectives set out in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as well as in the International Decade’s objectives and programme of activities. In particular, since the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which prohibited discrimination, had become legally binding, landmark legislation to combat racism and xenophobic speech and crimes had been adopted in 2008 and was now applicable in all European Union member States. It required the member States to criminalize intentional public incitement to violence or hatred as well as the denial, condoning and gross trivialization of certain international crimes, such as genocide, when such conduct was directed at persons defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. Several Directives, such as the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive, provided further legal guidance on specific issues. World events such as the global economic crisis, the European and global refugee and migration crisis and the rise of extremism had created new tensions, fuelled new fears and in some cases increased existing intolerance. For those reasons countries could not afford to be complacent and must continue to work together as a global community to fight racism and xenophobia. 38. The representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, expressed the commitment of the countries of the region to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the fight against racial discrimination. The countries were similarly committed to implementing the programme of activities of the International Decade, and some countries had already implemented national plans of action in that regard. He drew attention to the first regional meeting under the International Decade, which had been held in Brazil in December 2015. 39. The representative of South Africa, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that the time was opportune for the United Nations system to develop a normative framework addressing the promotion and protection of the rights of people of African descent. The African Group was concerned that people of African descent in the diaspora continued to suffer multiple forms of racism and racial discrimination. Many remained socially excluded and economically marginalized and lived in conditions of abject poverty and underdevelopment, as racism had become rather “institutional” in nature, a fact reflected in many decrees and laws that targeted certain segments of society. The African Group was of the view that true development of societies could be achieved without promoting justice and tolerance and combating racism in its diverse forms. He called for the finalization of a normative framework on people of African descent in the context of the International Decade and wished to see further discussions on the establishment of a forum for people of African descent. 40. The representative of the United States emphasized that country’s commitment to combating racism, saying that the United States saw the International Decade as an excellent opportunity to discuss civil rights issues. He referred to the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, which provided boys and young men of colour with mentoring and skills development in order to eliminate the opportunity gaps they faced in the United States. He described recent collaborative efforts with Brazil, Panama, Peru and Uruguay to address racial discrimination. 41. The representative of Brazil said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action had become the major reference point in the design and implementation of public policies for fighting racism and promoting social inclusion. Drawing on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, in 2003 Brazil had established the Secretariat for Policies for the Protection of Racial Equality, tasked with to reforming and overseeing the national institutional framework for implementing public policies for combating racism and racial discrimination. He cited several legislative reforms and the first regional conference under the International Decade, held in Brasilia in 2015, and reaffirmed his country’s 11