European Union action to combat racism

Summary:

One of the guiding principles of the United Nations is the principle of nondiscrimination on the grounds of race. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international rights instruments specifically referto this principle. Despite continuing efforts by the international community since then, racial discrimination persists around the world. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to convene a World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance no later than 2001. This decision reflects growing international concern for the rise of these scourges and recognition of the challenges and opportunities in combating them. The Conference is organised by the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and takes place in South Africa in September 2001.

• Primary Source

Official

EUR-Lex: COM (2001) 291: Communication from the Commission contribution to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, South Africa, 31 August - 7 September 2001) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2001:291:FIN

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