A/RES/58/159
Recognizing the fundamental role of education and other active policies in the
promotion of tolerance and respect for others and in the construction of pluralistic
and inclusive societies,
Condemns political platforms and organizations based on racism,
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xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination, as well as
legislation and practices based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable
governance;
Affirms that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
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intolerance condoned by governmental policies violate human rights and may
endanger friendly relations among peoples, cooperation among nations,
international peace and security and the harmony of persons living side by side
within one and the same State;
Affirms also that any form of impunity condoned by public authorities for
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crimes motivated by racist and xenophobic attitudes plays a role in weakening the
rule of law and democracy and tends to encourage the recurrence of such acts;
Condemns the persistence and resurgence of neo-Nazism, neo-fascism
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and violent nationalist ideologies based on racial or national prejudice, and states
that these phenomena can never be justified in any instance or in any circumstances;
Recognizes with deep concern the increase in anti-Semitism and
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Islamophobia in various parts of the world, as well as the emergence of racial and
violent movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas against Arab, Jewish
and Muslim communities, as well as communities of people of African descent,
communities of people of Asian descent and other communities;
Emphasizes that the elimination of all forms of discrimination, especially
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gender, ethnic and racial discrimination, as well as diverse forms of intolerance, the
promotion and protection of the human rights of persons of indigenous origin and
members of indigenous communities and migrants, and respect for ethnic, cultural
and religious diversity contribute to strengthening and promoting democracy and
political participation;
Urges States to reinforce their commitment to promote tolerance and
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human rights and to fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance as a way to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and transparent
and accountable governance, and in that regard recommends measures such as
introducing or reinforcing human rights education in schools and in institutions of
higher education;
Also urges States to ensure that their political and legal systems reflect
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the multicultural diversity within their societies and, where necessary, to improve
democratic institutions so that they are more fully participatory and avoid
marginalization and exclusion of, and discrimination against, specific sectors of
society;
Underlines the key role that political leaders and political parties can and
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ought to play in strengthening and promoting democracy by combating racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and encourages political
parties to take concrete steps to promote solidarity, tolerance and respect, inter alia,
by developing voluntary codes of conduct, including internal disciplinary measures
for violations thereof, so their members refrain from public statements and actions
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