27th Meeting - 62nd Session of Human Rights Council

We want a yes.
Very good morning, Excellencies, distinguished participants.
I call to order the 27th meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
Item go up in the agenda item nine entitled racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and Related forms of intolerance.
Follow up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration Program of Action.
We shall now begin the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
Let me welcome the mandate holder, Mr.
Sweeney KP.
The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes and I now give the floor to the S Rapporteur for her to present the report.
Go ahead, Madam.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Good morning, everyone.
Excellency's distinguished delegates.
It is an honor to once again address the Human Rights Council.
I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to all the member states, United Nations entities, national Human Rights institutions, civil society organizations and individuals who have engaged constructively with my mandate over the past year.
I'm particularly grateful to all those who have contributed information and expertise that informed the reports I present today.
Today, I have the privilege of presenting three reports to the Human Rights Council.
Allow me to begin with my official country visit to Austria.
I undertook my visit from second to the 9th of December 2025, traveling to Vienna, Gras, and Salzburg.
I sincerely thank the government of Austria for extending the invitation and for its constructive engagement throughout the visit.
I also express my appreciation to the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, the federal and lander authorities, parliamentarians, equality bodies, civil society groups, organizations, and most importantly, all those who generously shared their lived experiences with me.
Austria incorporates a strong legal foundation for promoting equality and non discrimination.
During my visit, I observed a number of encouraging initiatives, including constitutional and legislative protections against discrimination, the work of equality bodies, legislations to combat online hate, the establishment of the investigations and complaints Office for allegations of police ill treatment, initiatives addressing racial profiling within law enforcement, anti racism strategies adopted by the city of Vienna and the Federal Ministry of Housing, arts, culture, media, and sports, as well as educational initiative promoting anti racism interfaith dialogue and prejudice conscious education.
I also commend the efforts of regional authorities in Gras and Salzburg to address racism and hate speech through awareness raising and monitoring and accountability.
While acknowledging these important developments, my visit also highlighted persistent challenges.
Throughout my consultations, I have received consistent reports that many individuals from racially and ethnically marginalized communities continue to experience systemic racial discrimination across multiple areas of everyday life.
A recurring concern relates to the fragmentation of Australia's equality framework.
Although important protections exist, They are dispersed across different federal and land laws, creating varying levels of protection and complexity for individuals seeking effective remedies.
I was also struck by the absence of a common understanding of racism, including its structural and systemic manifestations.
Taking note of the complex history of how racism is understood, I urge that developing a comprehensive national definition of racism consistent with international human rights standards would strengthen policy responses.
Concerns were also raised regarding the lack of comprehensive desggregated data collected on the basis of self identification and informed consent.
Barriers to equal representation in public institutions, political life and employment, and reductions in funding for civil society organizations, working to combat racism and support marginalized communities.
My report therefore recommends strengthening coordination across equality institutions, developing a comprehensive national action plan against racism, improving data collection, ensuring stronger protection against all forms of discrimination, and sustaining meaningful partnership with civil society organizations.
These measures would help ensure that the protections already established in law translate into substantive equality in practice.
I once again thank the government of Austria for its openness, cooperation, and constructive engagement with my mandate throughout this visit.
I now wish to turn to my thematic report on racism and sports.
Sports has an extraordinary ability to bring people together.
It transcends borders, culture, identities, creating space for participation, solidarity, and belonging.
Yet, sports is not insulated from society.
It reflects the same structural inequalities and historical injustices that continue to shape people's lives.
My report demonstrates that racism in sports is not confined to isolated incidents of abuse.
It is embedded in unequal access, discriminatory regulations, underrepresentation in leadership, online hate, and barriers to justice that continue to exclude racially and ethnically marginalized communities.
The report highlights the need for an intersectional approach because racism is rarely experienced in isolation.
Women and girls, indigenous people, minorities in different national contexts, people of African descent, Roma communities, caste oppressed communities, people affected by descent based discrimination, migrants, refugees frequently encounter multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that restricts not only their participation in sports, but also their ability to thrive within it.
Sports should be a pathway to opportunity.
Instant, historical marginalization and systemic inequality continue to determine who can access facilities, coaching, equipment, and competitions.
The barriers disproportionately affect marginalized racially and ethnic groups, particularly in the global South, where the legacies of colonialism, enslavement, cast oppression, and other systems of exclusion continue to shape access to resources and opportunities.
The report also highlights how discriminatory eligibility regulations continue to exclude athletes, Policies affecting Muslim women, women with variations in sex characteristics, and athletes from marginalized racial and ethnic communities demonstrate how regulations that are not grounded in international human rights law can reinforce racial, religious, and gender discrimination rather than ensure fairness and inclusion.
Equally concerning is the persistent lack of representation across many sporting institutions.
Structural barriers continue to prevent minorities, indigenous people, cast op communities, people affected by descent based discrimination, and other marginalized groups from participating equally as athletes, coaches, referees, and decision makers.
We are also witnessing new manifestations of racism in sports.
Digital platforms have amplified racial hatred directed to athletes and supporters, while racist abuse in stadiums continue to affect professionals and grassroot sport alike.
Too often victims are left without effective remedies and impunity allows discrimination to become normalized.
International Human Rights law provides us with clear framework for action.
The International Convention on all forms of elimination of racial discrimination requires states not only to prohibit discrimination, but also take proactive measures to achieve substantive equality.
This includes ensuring equal participation in cultural life, including sport, and guaranteeing access to effective remedies for those subjected to discrimination.
The report concludes that combating racism and racial discrimination in sports requires coordinated action by member states, sport governing bodies, international organizations, civil societies, educational institutions, technology companies, and athletes themselves.
Human rights principles must inform every aspect of sporting governance from access and participation to accountability and remedy, and only through sustained commitment and meaningful collaboration can sport become a space where every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or any other social status, is able to participate equally and safely with dignity.
I now turn to my third report on combating the glorification of Nazism, neo Nazism, and other practices that continue to fuel contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
My report expresses concern about the continued prominence of neo azid racist and far right movements in different parts of the world.
With these movements while these movements differ in their national contexts and methods, they are united by narratives of racial superiority, exclusion, intolerance, and hatred.
They increasingly exploit digital technologies to disseminate extremist ideologies.
Distort historical truth, spread conspiracy theories, and target racially and ethnically and religiously marginalized communities across the globe.
These developments are contributing to rising hate crimes, incitement of violence, and growing insecurity among several marginalized communities.
International Human Rights law provides a clear framework of responding to these concerns.
The International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination establishes that states have a positive obligation not only to refrain from discrimination themselves, but also to prevent, prohibit, and respond effectively to discrimination by non state actors.
States must neither sponsor, defend, nor support organizations or individuals who promote racial hatred or doctrines of racial superiority.
Comprehensive legal framework that guarantee equality before the law and provide effective remedies for victims therefore remain essential.
At the same time, my report emphasizes that such measures must always be implemented consistently with international human rights law.
Freedom of expression should never be used as a shield for advocacy that incites discrimination, hostility and violence.
Equally, efforts to combat hatred must never become a critic for suppressing legitimate criticism, peaceful dissent, or the voices of marginalized communities.
My report also makes clear that legislation alone cannot eradicate racism.
Contemporary manifestations of neo Nazism are sustained through misinformation, historical distortion, coded language, and online radicalization.
Social media and digital platforms have transformed the speed and scale in which extremist content spread across borders.
Responding effectively therefore requires a comprehensive approach that combines accountability with prevention.
Education remains one of the most powerful tools in addressing the rise of neo Nazism and far right wing ideologies.
Human rights education, accurate teaching about the Holocaust and other historical atrocities and initiatives that promote diversity, equality, and mutual understanding are essential to preventing the normalization of hatred.
My report also highlights the importance of strengthening data collection, monitoring mechanisms, and support for victims of racism and hate crimes while encouraging member states to develop comprehensive national action plans against racism in partnership with affected communities and civil society organization.
Ultimately, combating the glorification of Nazism and neo Nazism is not solely about preserving historical memory, it is about protecting our present and safeguarding our future.
I therefore urge member states to strengthen legal protection against racial discrimination, fully implement their obligations under international human rights law, invest in education, public awareness, support victims and survivors, and work closely with civil society organizations, civil society entities, educators, technological companies, and international organizations to confront all contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, and related intolerance.
I thank you for your patience and look forward to your comments, observations, and questions.
I think the Special Rapporteur in line with practice, we will now hear from the delegation of the concerned country.
I give the floor to the Dish represents of Austria.
You have 5 minutes.
I thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Austria thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report and for her continued engagement on issues related to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
We thank the Special Rapporteur and her team for her visit to Austria and appreciate the opportunity to engage with the mandate.
The visit provided an insightful opportunity to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including federal and regional authorities, equality bodies, and civil society.
Austria attaches great importance to the independent work of the United Nations Special procedures, including the Special Rapporteur.
Austria highly values the inclusive approach taken during the visit, and we've taken careful note of the report and its recommendations.
We acknowledge that the report raises a number of issues, providing a critical assessment of the situation in Austria and we take these concerns seriously.
We are aware that racism, discrimination, and intolerance remain persistent challenges in many societies, including our own.
While Austria has a well established legal framework to effectively address extremism, racism, anti Semitism, and xenophobic acts, we recognize that discriminatory attitudes require our sustained attention.
Austria therefore remains committed to continuously strengthening its system of protection against discrimination.
This includes not only legislation and its effective implementation, but also awareness raising and education.
It is also essential to place the report's assessment in the broader context of ongoing initiatives and institutional efforts.
For example, Austria has recently adopted the second version of its national strategy against anti Semitism and prepared its first national action plan against right wing extremism.
Simultaneously, Austria continues its effort to address hate crime and online hatred through awareness raising, education, and targeted training for law enforcement and judicial actors.
Together, these initiatives serve as an example for Austria's continued commitment in addressing these issues.
There is a strong dedication at both national and regional levels to address shortcomings and further strengthen existing structures.
While we would have welcomed a more comprehensive reflection of these initiatives in the report, Austria recognizes the importance of critical engagement.
Constructive criticism provides a basis for identifying practical ways to strengthen existing frameworks.
In this regard, we expect to further expand the resources and independent mandates of our equality bodies through national measures and the implementation of relevant EU directives.
Austria has taken note of the recommendations and will assess how they can best be taken forward in the national context.
The report and its recommendations thus constitute a contribution to our ongoing efforts to combat racism, discrimination, and intolerance in all their forms.
No one should face exclusion or discrimination.
Every person must be able to enjoy the human rights fully and equally, and therefore, we remain firmly committed to combat racism, discrimination and related intolerance in all their forms.
We would like to thank you for the visit and wish you good luck in the further work towards our common goals.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Excellency.
The list of speakers for this dialogue is now closed.
I now invite interested delegations to ask questions of the Special Rapporteur and to make comments on her report.
The speaking time as usual, will be 1 minute, 30 seconds for all.
I'd like to recall that the duration of interactive dialogue is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
We may have a little bit more extra time today, so we may be able to include additional delegations.
We'll begin by hearing from the representative of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries.
Thank you, Vice President.
I'd like to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of friends in defense of the United Nations Charter.
The group reiterates its commitment to the fight against all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance.
We reiterate that the Durban Declaration and Program of action remain the most comprehensive framework that has been internationally agreed upon to combat these scourges and to promote equality, human dignity, and the right to development.
We express our concern at the resurgence of hate speech, systematic discrimination.
The elaboration of racial profiling and other contemporary forms of racism.
We would highlight the importance of addressing the historic structural causes of racism, including the legacies of colonialism and slavery and to promote international cooperation and equal opportunities for all.
Lastly, we would recall that the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance should be undertaken in strict adherence to the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter.
Its eradication requires political will, international cooperation, and cooperation to justice, equality, and human dignity.
Thank you very much.
Thank you give the floor to the Distinct Rep Center for the European Union.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for the interesting reports on racism presented.
As the World Cup unites all states, reminding us all of the universal language of sport, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to combat all forms of racism in sport.
The uses anti racism strategy, identify sport as an environment where racism and hate speech are prone to occur and develop specific targeted actions to counter this phenomenon.
The European Union sees sport as a social space where people from all different backgrounds come together, where stereotypes can be challenged and where values such as respect and equality can be promoted.
As you highlighted in the report, for this to take place, disparities which affect equal participation in sports need to be addressed.
The EU promotes inclusion for groups facing barriers and addressing racism, xenophobia, as well as gender discrimination.
Thank you, therefore for your intersectional approach adopted in your report and would like to know what best practices have you identified for addressing intersectional discrimination between race and gender in grassroot sports.
Regarding your second report, the European Union would like to recall the words of the previous special rapporteur, which noted that the Russian Federation has sought to justify its military invasion and territorial aggression in Ukraine on the perpetrated basis of eliminating neo Nazism.
I thank you.
Thank you.
The distinguished representative region has the P group of countries.
Mr.
Vice President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for both reports.
Let me start by saying that as previously stated, we believe that the term combating Nazism should not be politicized by states as a pretext for ulterior motives.
Such misuse undermines the genuine fight against this heinous ideology, and we reject any false narratives in this regard.
Regarding your second report, we share the concern that racism continued to permeate sporting environments at all levels, from grassroots participation to elite competition.
Sport should be a vehicle for inclusion, equality, and mutual respect.
Yet, we continue to witness discriminatory abuse against athletes, officials and fans, both on and off the field, including in digital spaces.
This harms individuals and undermine the unifying potential of sports.
Nordic Baltic countries strongly support a zero tolerance approach to racism in sport.
This requires robust legal frameworks, effective reporting and accountability mechanisms, and meaningful sanctions.
Equally important are preventive measures, including education, awareness raising, and the promotion of diversity in leadership within sports organizations.
Particular attention should be paid to protecting children and young athletes who may be especially vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion.
Special Rapporteur, how can consistent standards be ensured across sporting bodies and how can best practices be scaled globally? Thank you.
Matias.
Thank you.
Distinguished representative of Kenya will be speaking on behalf of a group of countries, the African group.
Mr.
Vice President, the African group thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.
The African group shares the view that sport as a vast, multidisciplinary and heterogeneous phenomenon, holds a unique and powerful place in societies across the world.
Indeed, sport possesses significant potential to advance equality and diversity, challenge harmful racial stereotypes, and foster solidarity across racial, ethnic and cultural divides.
However, it is concerning that this potential remains far from being fully realized and that sport continues to reflect in many instances to produce the structural and systemic inequalities both within and between countries.
Accordingly, we call upon states to take proactive measures to identify barriers to participation amongst racialized athletes and to eliminate racial stereotyping in player positioning, scouting, and career progression pathways.
Further, furthermore, we must redouble our efforts to ensure that the human rights impact assessments are consistently undertaken before decisions are made about the hosting of sport events, including major international competitions, and that the consideration of racial discrimination is central to such analysis.
The adoption by the General Assembly of resolution on Declaration of trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized hotel enslavement of Africans as the graves crime against humanity represents a crucial step in implementing the DDPA.
A full copy of this statement shall be posted on the Eternt.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you.
Al Khalil Li Moathlein Dowd Palestine.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the special rapporteur for important reports.
For the Palestinian people, racism is experienced daily by children pulled from the rebel and Raz, by families subjected to forced displacement, by communities facing settled terrorism, by prisoners subjected to abuse and arbitrary detention, and by entire people living under occupation and apartheid.
Your reports remind us that racism is not merely prejudice or hateful rhetoric.
It can become systematic and structural, institutionalized through laws, policies and practices of exclusion, segregation, disposition, dehumanization, and violence.
The report on sport documents how Palestinian athletes are denied freedom of movement, prevented from participating in competitions, subjected to arbitrary detention, and deprived of sport facilities and infrastructure.
These violations are not isolated.
They are manifestations of the broader system of occupation, apartheid, and racial domination imposed on the Palestinian people.
Today, Palestinians are enduring Israel's genocideal war in Gaza alongside ongoing policies of ethnic cleansing, apartheid and settler colonial expansion throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
Stadiums, sports, clubs, youth centers, and playgrounds have been destroyed.
Athletes, coaches, and sports officials have been killed, injured, displaced, and detained, an entire generation is being deprived not only of sport but of safety, dignity, and life itself.
As you report on contemporary manifestation of racism warrants dehumanization and legitimaization of violence discrimination and Thank you.
Thank you, Vice President, Spain aligned itself with the statement of the European Union and thanks to the rapporteur for her work.
Football is to be enjoyed and to make a show not to lack respect for people for what they are, who they are, or what they believe in.
With these words, Lamin min responded to the heinous racist comments and xenophobic racist comments that were um, made just a few months ago in a friendly prior to the World Cup.
The president of Spain condemned these racist expression.
Spain is a plural diverse and tolerant country and racism harms us all and requires an unequivocal response from institutions and that's what we promote in this council, where its mechanisms contribute to shedding light in dark areas where racism in the shadows rather where racism continues to be promulgated.
When Spain has developed a normative framework to prevent and eradicate racism in sport football in particular.
Madam Rapporteur, regarding the upsurge in hate speech in the digital sphere, which is subject of your other reports, Spain shares your concern on the prevalence of extreme positions which dehumanize those who are in vulnerable situations.
Combating hate speech is a key instrument to preserve democracies and our open societies.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
The floor now is to the Sultan of B.
Sedna.
Mr.
Vice President, the Sultanate of Oman, thanks the special rapporteur for presenting her report and appreciate the reports focus on proactive action to combat racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia and promote inequality and respecting the humanity of all beings.
Oman views that combating racism and racial discrimination is a collective responsibility that should hinge on international cooperation, capacity building while adhering to the UN charter, the sovereignty of states, while taking into consideration the specificities of all nations.
The report focuses on the importance of education, awareness, and social dialogue.
This is in line with our values in Oman favoring tolerance, mutual respect through our national programs and institutional frameworks for equality and against discrimination and hate speech.
There's also I mentioned in the report about the importance of social dialogue and this is in line with our approach in Oman, which champions mutual respect.
We also are keen on looking at the root causes of discrimination.
This includes socioeconomic factors while promoting social dialogue away from selectivity or politicization of this issue.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Women.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Yun Women welcome the Special Rapporteurs report, which shows that sport can advance equality, but too often reproduces structural racism and intersecting discrimination.
We welcome its intersectional lens, including how racism is compounded by discrimination based on gender, socioeconomic status, disability, indigenous status, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
We appreciate its attention to links between conflict and racism, including how conflict, occupation, and displacement restricts access to sports, safety, and cultural life.
For women and girls from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, barriers include unequal access to sport resources, under representation in governance, racist and sexist abuse online and offline, and lack of remedies.
Discriminatory eligibility regulations can have racially disproportionate impacts, including for women with variations in sex characteristics and reflect a long history of surveillance and policing of women's bodies.
Restrictions on religious dress codes can create unacceptable tensions between women's right to participate in sport and the rights to freedom of religion and expression.
Sports policies must be granted in human rights, substantive equality, and non discrimination.
States and sport bodies should ensure equitable investment in inclusive environments, rights respecting eligibility, regulations, protections from hate speech, and gender based violence, disaggregated data, representation, and remedies.
I thank you.
K, I recognize for South Africa.
You have the floor.
Thank you, Vice President.
My delegation welcomes the Special Rapporteur's timely and comprehensive report on contemporary manifestations of racism in sport.
We align ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the African group by Kenya earlier.
Vice President South Africa rather sport has the potential to inspire, unite, and transform societies, yet the report lays bare how structural inequalities, discriminatory regulations, and acts of racism continue to exclude and harm marginalized racial and ethnic groups both within and among nations.
We are deeply concerned by the persistent and representations of Africans and people of African descent in sports governance, the perpetuation of racial stereotypes, and the disproportionate barriers faced by athletes due to poverty, conflict, and intersectional forms of discrimination.
The case of Cust Maya remains a stake reminder of the urgent need for human rights based transparent and participatory approaches to sports governance.
Eligibility rules must not perpetuate racial, gender, or intersectional discrimination.
South Africa calls on all states, sports, and federations, and private sector actors to fully implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur.
The full text of the statement will be uploaded on Expont.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you, Tina Pavo Ambassador Ukraine.
I call on Ukraine, Ambassador.
Mr.
President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her reports.
Ukraine remains firmly committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti Semitism, neo Nazism, neo Stalinism, Russism and all other related forms of intolerance.
We reject any glorification of Nazism and any ideology based on hatred, racial superiority, or discrimination.
Yet we are deeply concerned by the Russian Federation systematic misuse of anti Nazi rhetoric in attempts to justify its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
The recent phenomenon of Russsm is very disturbing as well.
Rascism is derived from the words Russia and fascism.
It is a term denoting the ideology and political practice of the ruling regime of modern Russia.
It is characterized by ultra nationalism, chauvinism, aggressive imperialism, the cult of personality, and intolerance of other nations.
Implementation of Ruscism policy has brought Russia to its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv this night are another vivid example of Russism.
There are 13 dead, more than 90 injured in 30 locations in our capital and the numbers are growing.
Madam Special Rapporteur, how to stop Russism as the modern type of intolerant ideology as well as attempts of its further spread and practical realization.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the DPRK.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The report of the Special Rapporteur clearly demonstrates that the racism is not a random or isolated phenomenon, but a deeply rooted systematic problem embedded in the societies.
Moreover, this issue is not limited to the field of sports, but is widely manifested across society as a whole.
Despite the longstanding commitment to human rights, the United States and some Western countries continue to face persistent racial discrimination, inequality, and hate crimes.
The United Nations Committee on the elimination of racial discrimination have repeatedly raised concerns about police violence systematic inequality, activating its early warning and urgent action procedure, and called upon the United States to conduct independent investigations into police violence and undertake institutional reforms aiming at eliminating structural racism.
According to various studies and statistical analysis in major cities across the United States, black citizens as well as Latino and other minority groups continue to be disproportionately subjected to unjust searches, arrests, and shooting targets by law enforcement.
We strongly urge HRC and OHCHR to conduct comprehensive impartial investigation into the systematic and widespread serious issues of racism in the United States and some Western countries and to ensure accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.
I thank you.
A, I recognize the distinguished representative of Kenya.
Mr.
Vice President, Kenya aligned itself for the statement delivered by the African group.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for the comprehensive report, which underscores that combating racism and discrimination in sport requires sustained efforts to promote inclusion, accountability, and equal opportunities for all.
Kenya remains committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful sporting environment that can uphold the dignity and the well being of every participant.
In this regard, Kenya has adopted the Kenya Academy of Sports policy for safeguarding in sports, which establishes a zero tolerance approach towards harassment, abuse, discrimination while strengthening safeguards across the sporting sector.
Tenia also underscores the importance of expanding equitable access to sporting opportunities, particularly for children and young people.
Recognizing that inclusive participation at the grassroots level contributes to social cohesion and helps address prejudice from an early age.
Special Rapporteur, for states with limited financial and institutional resources, which measures should be prioritized in order to achieve the greatest impact in preventing racism and discrimination in sports.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Al Kaluli Matlein.
The floor now is to Tunisia.
Schran.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We have taken due note of the report of the Special Rapporteur.
We reaffirm in this respect that Tunisia is unwaveringly committed to addressing all forms of discrimination, racism, and hatred in all fields, including in sports, as per the Tunisian Constitution that ensures equality between citizens and protects freedoms and rights, and as per the national legislations and international obligations, we stress our approach to respecting human rights, ensuring, tolerance and rejecting intolerance and racism, according to the Constitution.
In this respect, we provide humanitarian assistance to irregular migrants, we protect them and ensure their voluntary return to their homeland.
We also combat the human trafficking organizations.
We would like to remind that in 18 48, Tunisia has abolished the Slavery.
We would like to draw to the attention of the Special Rapporteur that she needs to depend on official accurate information provided by the Tunisian state.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
I call on Belgium.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Belgium aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
My country thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting her report, which is particularly timely and relevant, both in terms of its subject matter and its timing in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Belgium reaffirms its full support for her mandate and reiterates its strong commitment to combating all forms of racism and racial discrimination, including in the field of sport.
Sport is a key driver of social cohesion, inclusion, and well being, both physical and mental.
It is therefore particularly concerning that access to sports as well as the experiences of athletes and supporters can still be undermined by racism and racial discrimination.
In Belgium, concrete initiatives are being implemented to prevent and combat this phenomenon, notably through awareness raising campaigns, training, and reporting and sanction mechanisms.
For instance, the Football Federations have joined forces to the Come Together action plan.
Madam Special Rapporteur, could you share further information on the interactions you have had with sports Federations and organizations in the course of your work? Furthermore, how can the international community support your efforts to promote better integration for your recommendations into sports policies? I thank you.
Thank you, on Ecuador.
Thank you, Vice President.
My delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for her timely report and agrees that states should invest in infrastructure programs and sports training for children and adolescents, ensuring equitable access for persons belonging to marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
In this regard, Ecuador bases such actions on a solid constitutional, legal and public policy framework that recognizes historical and cultural roots, values the diversity of peoples and nationalities and prevents any discriminatory practice, including in sport.
In this context, the country regularly organizes initiatives that make it possible to make visible and preserve the cultural expressions of people and nationality, promoting respect, intercultural coexistence and participation on equal terms in sports and recreational spaces, including, for example, the recreational, cultural, and ancestral games, or the Amazonian ancestral Games.
Likewise, I confate on the need for comprehensive and human rights based approaches to racism and racial discrimination in sport in order to overcome the structural and systematic inequalities that these phenomena reproduce.
Ecuador, therefore reaffirms its commitment to the prevention and eradication of all forms of racial discrimination and stresses the importance of strengthening social cohesion through sport as a space for inclusion, equality and diversity.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I call on the Russian Federation.
Thank you, Vice President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for the report on implementing the resolution on combating neon Nazism.
This is traditionally adopted at the initiative of Russia and contributes to eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and re intolerance.
However, it is increasingly necessary because the world is more and more seeing attempts to rewrite history We see calls that echo those of the Nazis and to expel foreigners.
Many states have lamphobiaristianophobia, afrophobia, bphobia, usopphobia, and anti Semitism.
Many countries in state policy and in national ideology, destroying the monuments of those who fought against Nazism and laid down their lives to free the world from that scourge, combating the perpetrators of war crimes and perpetrators of crimes against humanity are held up as heroes and leaders of national movements.
Last year, against the adoption of that resolution, we saw again the collective West, the cones of the EU, where there is systematic manifestation of all of the things I have listed.
Thank you.
I call on Senegal.
Thank you, Vice President, Senegal aligns with the statement made on behalf of the African group.
Thanks the Special Reporter for drawing attention to the question of racism, persistent racism and racial discrimination in sport on the ground.
And in the cybersphere requires a firm response.
Sport must remain a peaceful place of fraternity, tolerance, and good neighborliness.
We must not be tolerant of racism, xenophobia and hate speech.
Or supremacist ideologies.
We must be vigilant in education, in memory, and in managing cyberspace.
My country since 1983, has laws against racial discrimination, as well as ethnic and religious discrimination.
We reiterate our support to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, I think you Morocco, you have the floor.
Mr.
President.
My delegation thanks the special rapporteur for her reports on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia related intolerance in sports.
We firmly believe that racism in sports violates human dignity and undermines its positive social role.
This principle is enshrined in Morocco's Constitution, which guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination and in our criminal law, which punishes incitement to racial hatred at sporting events.
As host of the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 and co host of the 20 2030 FIFA World Cup, Morocco is determined that major competition serve as platforms for inclusion.
We are integrating human rights impact assessments and anti racism safeguards into their preparation and delivery.
Morocco also recognizes that racism extends beyond stadiums to online hate speech and under representation of rationialized groups in decision making.
We fully support your call to address the systemic dimensions and ensure effective remedies for athletes.
Convinced that sports drive social cohesion, Morocco and its partners launched the group of friends on sports and migration here in Geneva.
This initiative harnesses sports unifying power to promote migrant inclusion and combat discrimination on and off the field translating sporting values into concrete policies to leave no one behind.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you, the ambassador of Portugal.
Gsident.
Portugal aligns itself with the U statement and thanks the Special Rapporteur for a reports.
As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur, sport can advance equality, challenge harmful stereotypes, and foster inclusion.
Yet, racism in sport remains structural and systemic, affecting access, participation, representation, governance, and safety.
Racist incidents and hate speech, both offline and online are deeply concerning.
Effective responses must combine prevention, education, reporting, and remedies while taking into account the intersectional nature of discrimination.
In this period, Portugal seeks to translate the positive potential of sport into practice through the National Plan for ethics in sport, which promotes respect, fair play, and inclusion.
More broadly, our National Plan to combat racism and discrimination 21 25 guides national anti racism action.
Portugal also inequivocably condemns the glorification of Nazism, neo Nazism, and all forms of racist extremism, sorry.
Education, remembrance and accountability are essential to prevent their normalization and to counter ideologies based on racial hatred.
Madam Special Rapporteur, how can states best work with sports governance bodies to break barriers and combat racism? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Thank you, Vice President.
We welcome the report by the Special Report.
This dialogue is a timely one for Venezuela to reiterate its commitment to combating racism and racial discrimination and related intolerance.
We welcome the focus on sport as a driver for inclusion and social cohesion.
Where we see structural inequalities and racial stereotypes as well as harmful practices.
We point to the barriers facing migrants to have access to sport because of the lack of documentation, racial discrimination, and xenophobia.
We reject contemporary forms of racism, discrimination, and xenophobia through the glorification of Nazism, neo Nazism, and similar practices and agree on the need to combat ha speech.
Racial prejudices and other manifestations of discrimination through promoting public policies for protection, prevention, and access to justice for victims.
We reaffirm our readiness to continue cooperating with international human rights mechanisms to make progress on eradicating racism and all forms of discrimination.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Azerbaijan.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her thematic reports.
While noting this concern the rise of extremism, we affirm that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance constitute serious violations of human rights and dignity and are incompatible with international law and states obligations there under.
As reflected in the report, Azerbijan's national legislation comprehensively prohibits all forms of racism online and offline and ensures equal rights for all.
Azerbijan has also developed strong institutional mechanisms to prevent discrimination and promote equality.
We further reaffirmed that there should be no place for resurgence or glorification of Nazism or Nazi collaborators and stress importance of concerted international efforts in this regard.
Madam Special Raporteur Wilson underscored the importance of combating racist incidents, including hate speech and other discriminatory conduct in sport.
We share the view that sport has significant potential to advance equality and diversity, challenge harmful stereotypes and foster solidarity.
A country with deep rooted traditions of multicultural and tolerance and diversity, Azerbijan regards sport as an important reflection of these values which are also firmly embedded in respective national legislation.
Nevertheless, we remain concerned by manifestation of racism and intolerance in sport and call for enhanced efforts to prevent, condemn, and effectively address such acts, including the context of major international sporting events.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I on Brazil.
Brazil is not taking the floor.
So the floor is to the distinguished representative of Uganda, Uganda, you have the floor.
Uganda is not in the room.
A Khalil Mathin Mount Ottawgun Aslami.
Oh, I see.
My delegation has read with interest the report of the Special Rapporteur.
This dialogue is taking place at a moment when the FIFA World Cup is bringing people from diverse cultures and regions together across the globe, powerfully reminding us of the unity that sport can uphold.
Yanes sports stand as a potent force for Ginity.
The OIC remains deeply concerned about persistent incidents of racism and racial discrimination, including lamphobia within the world of sport.
The OIC procedures that restricting Muslim female athletes from wearing the headscarf violates their fundamental rights and run counter to the spirits of sport, which should serve as a platform for inclusivity, mutual respect, and diversity rather than exclusion and discrimination.
We therefore stress the importance of ensuring safe and accessible sporting spaces for women and girls while respecting cultural and religious diversity.
The OSC is equally concerned about the report's highlights of the multifaceted and destructive impact of occupation, apartheid and genocidal acts in the occupied Palestinian territories on the right of Palestinians to participate in sport, we severely obstruct their movement and prevent athletes from training or competing.
In conclusion, we reiterate that racism in all its contemporary forms and manifestations has no place in today's world, and that much more remains to be done to translate the shared commitment into tangible reality for everyone everywhere, including in sport.
I thank you.
Gatt Thank you, I call on Belarus.
Thank you, Vice President, Distinguished Special Rapporteur, we thank you for the reports.
Combating the glorification of Nazism, preserving historical memory regarding the crimes of the Nazis against the Belarusian people and other peoples on our land during World War two are among the most important national priorities.
We have sent you information regarding a set of measures being implemented in our country to address this.
We agree with your conclusion and are deeply concerned about the growing manifestations of neoazism related extremism.
A number of states have openly embarked on the path of glorifying Nazism and falsifying history in others.
Structural manifestations of racism and intolerance permeate all spheres of public life.
The 2026 joint report of the foreign ministries of Belarus and Russia on the human rights situation in certain countries confirms that neo Nazi ideas are not isolated statements by politicians, but rather take root as a system of values.
We invite all those interested to a discussion based on our report on July 9th at 3:00 P.M.
Madam Special Rapporteur, what additional measures can be taken internationally to ensure effective measures against the glorification of Nazism and manifestations of Noazism.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the University for Peace.
The University for Peace, thanks to Special Repertoire for their informative and comprehensive report.
UPEce firmly stands and agrees with the fact that there is no place for racism in sports or anywhere in the world.
Sports serve a variety of purposes around the globe and affect each person differently.
Some people will compete at the highest level either domestically or internationally.
Some will use it for recreational entertainment and some will use it to improve health through exercise.
Every person in the world, no matter what their identity is, deserves a chance to enjoy sports in whichever way best suits them.
UP stands with a special repertoire on their stance on how racism and conflict are linked.
Marginalized groups often see their ability to compete and enjoy regular activities like sports be compromised by many forms of discrimination.
This discrimination often takes place in the form of violence and can lead to safe spaces like facilities and practice fields being made unavailable to them.
This restricts their access to compete and enjoy sports as the same as others.
Lastly, UP firmly stands against hate speech in sports in all forms.
This includes, but is not limited to racist chants, calls, and insults.
These also extend beyond the athletes competing.
No referees, coaches, or opposing fans on the receiving end of targeted hate speech.
We recognize that because of the political polarization that is present in today's climate, all of these incidents are becoming increasingly more common.
This is why the report by the special repertoire is of the utmost importance.
Thank you.
Rs.
Thank you.
You have the floor.
We highly value the efforts undertaken to highlight racial discrimination against athletes.
We express our deepest concern over the devastating impact of siege and occupation on the Palestinian people's right to participate in sports, including the Palestinian athletes free movement through checkpoints, the wall of separation, and the restrictive system of authorization, as well as the destruction of sports fields in Gaza, in addition to killing, torturing, and arresting fellow Palestinian athletes.
The continued siege on Palestinian sports is indeed a form of racial discrimination that needs to be seriously addressed by the international sports governance bodies.
At at the national level, we continue to entrench the culture of peaceful coexistence between the different communities in Iraq, given the fact that diversity is one of our national driving forces to address racism and racial discrimination.
International efforts must be redoubled to address racial discrimination in sports and digital spaces alike.
Thank you.
I call in Turkey.
Mr.
Vice President, we thank the Special Reporter for her timely report on racism and sport.
Sport can unite and challenge stereotypes yet too often it reproduces the prejudice that scar our societies.
We are particularly concerned by the report's finding on discriminatory eligibility regulations, including bans on Muslim women wearing head coverings in sport.
Such bans force these women to give up a part of who they are fueling Islamphobia and excluding them from competition.
These concerns extend well beyond sport.
Special Reporter points out that in some EU countries, more than 70% of Muslims report facing discrimination in their daily lives while only a fraction ever reports it, having closed trust that anything will change.
You must heed the findings of the Special Rapportur and those of the Special Reporter on freedom of opinion and expression, who has warned that in Europe freedom of expression is increasingly being weaponized and margin to marginalize, intimidate, and abuse minorities, and that security driving and criminalizing responses fall short of international human rights standards.
These are not isolated incidents.
They reflect a deepening pattern that demands genuine political will, not denial.
Turkey remains committed to combating racism, xenophobia, anti Muslim racism, and anti immigrant hatred.
Thank you.
Rats Representative of Sierra Leone, you have the floor.
Senor Presidente, my delegation aligns with the statement delivered by the African group and thanks DSR for insightful report.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated and human rights based approaches to combating racism in sports.
We strongly support the SRS's mandate and the mechanisms that work to eliminate racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as promote equality.
The report illustrates the systemic and intersectional nature of racism in sports and reminds us that the International Human Rights framework, including the International Covenant on Economic racial discrimination, and the Dubin Declaration and Program of Action provides a solid foundation for preventing and addressing racial discrimination in sports.
SLM condemns all forms of racism and upholds the principles of peace, tolerance and inclusion in sports.
We believe that sports have the potential to be a significant catalyst for reducing inequality and cultivating a culture of peace.
In our experience, we understand the important role that sports can play in reconciliation and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We support the ISIL recommendations to utilize existing human rights frameworks to prevent and address racial discrimination in sports.
We call for a strengthened international support, cooperation to raise awareness, build institutions, and enhance national capacities to effectively address racism in sports.
And I thank you, Mr.
Poston.
Thank you, It Burkina Fa.
It down.
Vice President, my delegation aligns itself with the statement of the African group and would like to add the following statement of national capacity.
We believe that when admissibility rules are not drafted and applied in line with international human rights law, discrimination and exclusion in sport remain a certainty.
In Burkina Faso sport is a human right recognized by the Constitution.
All people living in Burkina Faso have the right to it without any discrimination.
They can practice a sporting activity of their choice.
And the rules in force.
Since 2025, the government has launched an initiative to enhance access to supporting infrastructure across the country.
To conclude, my delegation would like to wish the Special Rapporteur every success in her mandate.
Thank you.
Thank you.
In Djibouti.
May I have some.
Thank you, Vice President, Dibiuti aligns itself with the statement by the African group and thanks here, Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her reports.
My delegation hails your report which addresses the issue of racism in sport where there are ongoing manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, and habrian intolerance.
Dibuti believes sport to be a tool bringing people together and to promote social cohesion, providing a privileged framework for education in the values of tolerance, equality, and mutual understanding.
Thus, Dibbouti would stress the importance of solid, robust legal and political frameworks, ensuring protection from all forms of discrimination in sport, as well as efforts seeking to exploit the potential of sport to combat prejudice and to promote inclusion.
Moreover, Dibuti believes that the permission of equality, equity, acceptance of diversity in all spheres of public life, including sporting activities, is a collective commitment which requires a questioning and ongoing revision and review of policies and practices that exist to combat structural and systemic discrimination.
Madam Sci Rapporteur, what do you think of the cooperation and accountability mechanisms that are effective to ensure proper implementation of rules on equality, non discrimination and inclusion in sport? I think you.
Thank you, Sergei.
Shukran Ab.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Vice President.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates that sport is an extremely important tool promoting respect, equality, and tolerance.
It enables peoples and cultures to come closer together.
It enables us to combat racism and these principles are underpinned by justice and non discrimination.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has enshrined these principles within sport and that is why we have adopted a law Ensuring equality, integrity, and fair competition in sport.
Moreover, we would highlight accountability for all trainers and sportspersons, and athletes for them to be bound by these principles and they're bound to respect them.
We continue to encourage greater social participation in sporting activities so as to ensure positive interaction among and between our citizens in 2025, over 234,000 people took part in over 6314 sporting events which took place in 62 towns across Saudi Arabia.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Distinguished Delegation of Costa Rica.
Thank you, Vice President, Costa Rica, thanks to the Special Rapportur for her report and for recalling that racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance constitute grave human rights violations which continue to affect millions of people in all regions across the world.
Equality and non discrimination are founding principles of international human rights law.
However, structural barriers persist, limiting effective access of many people and communities to fundamental rights, including education, health, employment, housing, political participation, and access to justice.
These inequalities erode human dignity and weaken social cohesion.
Costa Rica reaffirms its commitment to the Devon Declaration Programe of Action, the International Convention on the elimination of forms of racial discrimination, and the Inter American Convention Against Racism, racial discrimination, and related forms of intolerance.
I We believe that combating racism requires a human rights based approach, combining prevention, education, accountability, and remedy.
It also requires ensuring significant participation of affected people and communities when it comes to designing, implementing, and assessing public policies concerning them.
Costa Rica takes on board with interest the recommendations in the report and encourages states to strengthen their normative and institutional frameworks to combat all forms of discrimination, both publicly and privately and promoting more inclusive just in egalitarian societies.
Hi.
Thank you.
Libya.
Libya has the floor.
Thank you, Vice President.
We have taken good note of the report of the Special Rapporteur, and we agree with what has been said in the report regarding the fact that sport strengthens equality fight against discrimination and intolerance.
Sport can indeed be a tool to ensure equality.
We're extremely concerned at the growing racial discrimination and intolerance in sports stadiums, particularly against those of African or Arab origin.
Mr.
Vice President, we are confident that the role that sport can play in everyday life and we've launched a sporting initiative within the United Nations, which was recently adopted to have an International Day of football.
We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly the athletes who are deprived of all sporting participation, both national and region.
Al *** Mathen Toti almtibetithiti.
Thank you.
The UAE has the floor.
Mr.
Vice President, my delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report.
Sports has the power to promote mutual respect and understanding among peoples and cultures.
We emphasize that it should remain a space that brings people together and provides equal opportunities for all free from racism, racial discrimination and related intolerance.
In this regard, the UA recognizes the importance of addressing all forms of racism in sports through education and effective policies that promote equality and non discrimination.
Mr.
Vice President, At the national level, making sports accessible and enjoyable for everyone across all ages and segments of society remains a priority.
The UAE applies its legal and policy framework on combating discrimination, hatred, and extremism across all sectors, including sports.
Moreover, federal law number eight of 2014 provides that spectators shall not engage in insulting behaviors for making statements of a racial nature during sports events with violation subject to legal sanctions.
Building on these efforts, the UAE remains committed to promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect, values that contribute to stronger and more inclusive societies.
We encourage continued cooperation among states, international organizations, and sports institutions to ensure that sports remain a positive force for unity and shared understanding.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you, leads Thailand rapporteur for her report, we share the view that while sport promotes inclusion and diversity, it can also reflect and perpetuate systematic inequalities and racial stereotypes.
Talent commends the reports intersectional analysis, highlighting how discrimination based on race or ethnicity can be compounded by gender, disability, and socioeconomic status.
Talent underscores that eligibility regulations and otting policies must not result in discrimination or exclusion.
At home, Thailand is advancing the draft Anti Discrimination Act, providing a comprehensive framework to prevent and address discrimination.
In parallel, Thailand promotes equitable access to sport through national sports development policies, ports for all Initiative, youth programs, and support for disadvantaged communities, migrant children, and persons with disabilities.
Thailand reaffirm its commitment to the Durubban Declaration and Program of action and to the global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including in sports.
Madam Special Reporter, what role can sports education and youth programs can play in preventing racial stereotypes and promoting long term behavioral change among athletes and spectators.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Seeing trips in 215.
Vice President, Cuba maintains a position of principle and constantly condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance.
The Constitution of the Republic enshrines human dignity as a Supreme value of the legal order and includes the principle of equality at the constitutional level.
We agree with the Special Rapporteur on the need to build a global sporting environment that is free from racism and racial discrimination.
Sport must be a space for meeting between peoples, not a terrain where historic inequalities are reproduced that we wish to combat as humanity.
In Cuba, participation in sporting activities is universal and free.
Opportunities for access are provided equally to all citizens regardless without any forms of discrimination.
Black and mixed race students represent around 64% of the general registration numbers of sporting schools.
However, the blockade imposed by the government of the United States on Cuba has caused limitations in terms of acquiring sporting equipment.
We reiterate our conviction that in order to continue to combat racism and racial discrimination, we should do so.
Thank you.
Thank you, the ing of the Netherlands.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks to Special Rapporteur for a comprehensive report on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and late intolerance in sport.
We welcome the report's emphasis on human rights based and intersectional approaches to combating racism in sport and recognize the concerns raised regarding unequal access to sport under representation in sports governance and racist incidents both offline and online.
We remain committed to promoting inclusion, equal opportunities, and non discrimination in sport in line with our broader efforts to advance equality and social cohesion.
Sport has the power to bring people together, foster mutual understanding and strengthen social cohesion.
At the same time, as highlighted in the report, sport can also reflect and reproduce wider societal inequalities.
It is therefore essential that governments, sports organizations, and other stakeholders work together to ensure that sport is safe, accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other status.
Special Rapporteur, what examples of effective cooperation between governments, sports Fedderations, and civil society have you identified that could be replicated more broadly to combat racism and promote inclusion in sport.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The representative of Romania has the floor.
Thank you, Vice President, Romania, aligned with the EU statement, and thanks the Special Rapporteur for the report.
We welcome this year's focus on sport, a space where intense emotions are expressed and which has great potential to promote social inclusion.
At the same time, it remains a setting where forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance continue to manifest themselves brutally, undermining the core values on which sports and the Olympic ideals are built.
Regrettably, as in many other countries, sports in Romania is not spat for this damaging scorch.
The most frequent manifestations occur in professional football, often in the form of derogatory chants or banners targeting ethnic minorities or foreign athletes.
To address this phenomenon, Romania has established comprehensive legal institutional frameworks, prohibiting and sanctioning racially motivated acts in any public space, including in sports arenas.
The National Council for Combating Discrimination acts as a national quasi judicial mechanism that provides victims with access to effective remedies and cooperates with sports authorities to strengthen responsibility of sports clubs for their supporters behavior.
Moreover, various projects have been put in place promoting social responsibility, refugee integration, anti radicalization, and intercultural education.
Romania remains committed to addressing racism in sport and ensuring that sport environments remain safe, inclusive, and free from discrimination.
I thank you.
Thank you, then of Armenia Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Armenia, thanks to Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her comprehensive report and for bringing attention to an issue that extends far beyond sporting competition itself.
As the report illustrates, the value of sport is beyond performance and results.
Sport has a unique capacity to promote fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect.
It can change perceptions and prejudices, break down racial and political barriers, and contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations.
Realizing this potential, however, requires ensuring that everyone can participate in sport free from racism, racial discrimination, and related intolerance.
Efforts to combat racism in sport require not only effective responses to individual incidents, but also sustained measures to address structural barriers, promote diversity, and expand equal opportunities, particularly for children and young people.
Armenia has consistently promoted the role of sport in education as drivers of peace dialogue and mutual understanding, including through thematic initiatives within the General Assembly.
Most recently, this was reflected in the adoption of the Education for peace resolution.
These efforts are part of a broader objective of combating racism and discrimination by promoting respect for diversity and advancing a culture of peace.
Also note the report's emphasis on the growing challenge of online racial hatred and abuse in the context of sport.
Addressing this phenomenon requires strengthened cooperation among states sports organizations, and digital platforms while ensuring full respect for international human rights law, including freedom of expression.
Armenia reaffirms support for continued efforts to ensure that sport remains.
Thank you ships into Indonesia yesterday.
Mr.
Vice President, Indonesia takes note of the Special Rapporteur's report and recommendations.
We share the concerns over the devastating impact of racism and armed conflict on sport, from the destroyed sports infrastructure to life threatening conditions for athletes, including the reported killings and ill treatment in the occupied territory because of their identity and nationality.
Unfortunately, this troubling pattern is also occurring in other parts of the world and at sport events today.
Sport must promote equality, inclusion, mutual respect and human dignity, free from all forms of discrimination, violence, and intolerance.
Indonesia has adopted regulations to strengthen national sports governance, including athlete protection and integrity.
Safeguarding programs are in place across the Indsian Olympic Committee, the National Sports Committee, and National Sports Federations.
Indonesia is also expanding equitable access to sports and has established a whistleblowing system to address racism, sexual violence, and other misconduct.
Madam Special Reporter, the report highlights the rise of online racial hatred linked to sporting events.
What concrete mechanisms can strengthen cooperation between states, sports buddies, and social media companies to address this while protecting freedom of expression.
Thank you.
Thank you Iran.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The Islamic Republic of Iran thanks the Special Rapporteur for presentation of her report.
Iran considers the sport as a universal platform for friendship, mutual understanding and peaceful interaction among peoples and nations.
It is therefore a matter of concern that racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia continue to affect the sporting environment, undermining the principles of equality and fair play.
Thus, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that efforts to combat racism in sports should be comprehensive, impartial, and free of politicization and double standard.
International sporting organizations have an important responsibility to effectively implement rules and mechanisms to prevent discriminations.
States should also strengthen educational and cultural initiatives that promote tolerance, respect for diversity, equality, and the spirit of fair play in a sport, much as gratis.
Thank you.
The distinguished ambassador of Germany has.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Germany aligns itself with the EU statement, and we thank the special Rapporteur for her report.
The report's emphasis on the urgent need for coordinated human rights based and intersectional approaches to combating racism in sport is very timely.
Germany supports anti racism measures in sport domestically, including through education, awareness raising, and prevention campaigns.
In recent years, government funded anti racism projects related to organized and amateur sport in Germany.
Have raised awareness of racism in internal structures and member organizations and develop toolkits for countering incidents, thus fostering effective and lasting anti racism work in amateur football.
We welcome increasing efforts by national and international sports federations, clubs, and athletes to combat racism and discrimination.
Sport can be a powerful driver for social cohesion and a force against racism and intolerance.
Reaffirm our strong commitment to strengthening national and global efforts against racism and racial discrimination and against religious intolerance and anti Semitism in all their forms and manifestations.
Madam Special Rapporteur, to better prevent intersectional discrimination, what additional measures would you recommend beyond consulting with persons from marginalized groups and persons having experienced intersectional discrimination.
I thank you.
Gratias.
Thank you.
And I give the floor to Columbia, who, for understandable reasons are not in the room with us this morning.
So the distinguished representative of Ghana, you have the floor, sir.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Garner, thank the Special Rapporteur for a timely report on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in sports.
We welcome the report's recognition that sports should serve as a vehicle for equality, inclusion, and human dignity, rather than a space where discrimination is perpetuated.
Garner shares the concern that structural inequalities, socioeconomic barriers, and racial discrimination continue to deny many, particularly young people, women, and marginalized communities equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from sports.
We agree that addressing these challenges requires human rights based, inclusive and non discriminatory policies.
At the national level, Garner continues to promote equal access to sports through investments in community sports infrastructure, youth development programs, and promotion of sporting activities in schools to encourage social cohesion and ensure that sports serves as a platform for opportunity, inclusion, and national unity.
Mr.
Vice President, Ghana is also concerned by the resurgence of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including violence and discrimination against migrants and foreign nationals.
We call on all states to protect the rise and dignity of every individual without distinction and to ensure accountability for such acts.
Madam Special Rapporteur, given the resource constraints faced by many developing countries, what best practices have you identified that can help states combat racism in sports while expanding access to sporting opportunities for all.
I thank you.
Thank you, P the Council for your.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
At this very moment, hatred, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance still have the power to burn, to spill blood, and to divide, poisoning and polarizing public debate and political narratives, and yet there is also a desire for respect and mutual understanding.
The Council of Europe thanks the Special Rapporteur for the thematic report on racism and sports and shares deep concern about the findings of the report on combating the glorification of racism.
Through the European Commission Against Racism and intolerance, the Council of Europe has documented a growing trivialization of racist and LGBT phobic hate speech across Europe, including online and in political life, especially during elections.
Our last annual report calls for stronger self regulation against hate speech by political parties, more counter speech, and civic spaces where civil society can act safely.
Yesterday, the Ac met in plenary with SED, the working group of experts on people of African descent, and the expert mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement to address racial profiling and discrimination in policy.
We are committed to continuing and strengthening the close cooperation with UN bodies, including with the Special Rapporteur.
I thank you.
Thank you.
The Distinguish Valbei has the floor.
Vice President Vice President Albania, thanks to the Special Rapporteur for the in depth report.
We welcome the analysis in the report which highlights ongoing expressions of racism in sport, in particular, structural inequalities, hate speech, intersecting discrimination, under representation in management bodies, and obstacles to equal access to sporting practice.
Sport must remain a space to respect, inclusion, inequality, which can bring together individuals beyond their differences.
Albania reiterates its firm commitment to the prevention and eradication of all forms of discrimination.
Our legal framework prohibits any discrimination based on race, ethnic, origin, religion, or any other protected characteristics.
We share the call of the Special Rapporteur to strengthen prevention policies, human rights education, data collection, combating hate speech, including the digital sphere.
We recognize that challenges remain, but we continue to work with all partners to promote inclusive societies that are based on equality, respect for diversity, and the dignity of all.
Thank you very much, sir.
As.
Thank you.
I recognize distinguished representative of Zimbabwe.
You have the floor.
Vice President Zimbabwe appreciates the report of the Special Rapporteur.
We concur that sport holds a unique and powerful place in societies across the world and possesses significant potential to advance equality and diversity, challenge harmful racial stereotypes, and foster solidarity across racial, ethnic and cultural divide.
Racism in sport is a major problem that harms both athletes and fans.
Sport X is a mirror for society reflecting historical ideologies and race.
Addressing racism in sport requires tackling deep historical roots and structural barriers.
Solutions must shift from punishing individuals sys to changing who holds the power.
We share in the special Reeur's assertion that eradication of racism in sport and the fulfillment of its potential as a force for positive change requires transformative change and partnership among multiple stakeholders.
Zimbabwe reiterates its commitment to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
I thank you.
Thank you I now give the floor to the Representative Malawi.
I understand they're not in the room.
To the distinguished representative of Ireland.
You have the floor, Man.
Ireland aligns with the statement of the EU and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her reports.
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are not isolated phenomena within sport.
Ireland shares the conclusions of the Special Rapporteur's report on the need for a coordinated human rights based and intersectional approach in the fight against racism in sport.
We are concerned by the Special Rapporteurs finding that sports at different levels continue to reflect and represent structural and systemic inequalities both within and between countries.
We are also concerned by examples noted in the report of the racially discriminatory impact of eligibility regulations in sports and particularly by current trends reflecting reliance on mandatory genetic sex testing and rigid biological criteria.
Ireland's new international sport diplomacy strategy launched in February 2026, explicitly focuses on the role that can be played by sport to achieve equality, diversity, and mutual respect.
Ireland's National Action Plan against racism provides for the establishment of racial equality officers within sports funding bodies.
The action plan further commits to increase the participation of minority ethnic groups in sports activities and establish information sharing and peer networking channels for young athletes from racialized backgrounds.
Special Apteur how can states best engage with governance bodies and related actors to ensure an intersectional approach to prevention of and response to racism.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The distinguished representative of the Democratic Republic of Congres has You don't appear to be in the room.
Distinguished representative of the Gambia.
Gambia is not in the room.
Distinguished representative of Cambodia.
Thank you, Vice President.
Cambodia, thanks the special Reporter for the report.
As a state party to the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, Cambodia remain committed to the principle of equality and non discrimination.
These principles are embedded in our constitution and continue to guide our efforts to foster mutual respect, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence among all communities.
We recognize that combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance requires sustained efforts through education, dialogue, and international cooperation.
We also recognize the role of sport in bringing people together and strengthening understanding across communities.
This regard, Cambodia hosted the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12 Asean Para Games, which showcase our commitment to equality, friendship, and people to people connectivity across our region.
Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to working with international community to promote dignity, respect, and equal opportunity for all in line with our values of social harmony, national unity, religious coexistence, and multicultural tolerance.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Ing Bao Fan.
Mr.
Vice President, China appreciates the latest report by the Special Rapporteur.
We are deeply concerned about the finding of the report, including the apartheid and genocidal acts in the OPT, which severely undermined the right of Palestinians to participate in sports and the problem of underrepresentation in senior positions within European football.
Racism is a legacy of colonialism and slave trade beyond the area of sport.
It is widespread in other areas.
International community still has a long way to go in combating racism and racial discrimination.
To this day, racial discrimination remain deeply entrenched in certain countries, the United States being a state party to the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.
Fails to take effective measures to address systemic racial discrimination, its largest scale forced deportation of migrants, police brutality against minority groups, infringe upon the human rights of its people.
We urge countries concerned to reflect deeply on their own contact, take concrete actions to end racial discrimination and hold perpetrators accountable.
Thank you.
Peru.
Thank you, Peru.
Thank you, Vice President.
Peru has broad cultural and linguistic diversity.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for the report pointing out that sport can promote equality and cohesion or reproduce exclusion and hate speech.
We agree that combating racism in sport requests prevention education, deagggregated data, complaints mechanisms, Communication and digital platforms.
This is particularly important to combat racist incidents on the ground and online.
The mult sexual dialogue to combat racism is in place for 2030 and we have a national policy for Indigenous Peoples to 2040.
These seek to combat discrimination and strengthen an intercultural citizenry.
In sports, Peru has been promoting sports free of discrimination.
Our ministry and institute have carried out awareness campaigns and workshops for varying publics.
Eradicating racism in sport for us requires a sustained effort.
To prevent discrimination, thank you.
We give the floor to Egypt.
We welcome the special rapporteur on the contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination, and we take note of her reports.
Sports is a reflection of societies and the challenges that they face, including the fast paced increase of contemporary forms of racism, especially against minorities, migrants, and persons of African descent.
This includes the sports sphere, whether we're talking about equality of participation or contribution to decision making.
We require international cooperation to combat all forms of discrimination in line with the DDPA.
Egypt reaffirms that non discrimination is a pillar of international human rights law and we cannot achieve rights while exclusionary and discriminatory practices are still ongoing.
For us, sport can be a real platform to increase mutual respect, tolerance, and celebrating cultural diversity among nations.
We reaffirmed the importance of fully implementing the DDPA and taking decisive action in combating racism and holding those responsible accountable and ensuring remedies for victims in such a way as to reach fairer and more equitable societies.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, N thanks the Special apportur for presentation and takes note of the important work undertaken under this mandate.
NASH remains firmly committed to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
Such manifestations continue to undermine social cohesion, threaten peaceful coexistence, and impede the realization of human rights for all.
In addressing these challenges, NASA believes that efforts must be comprehensive and balanced.
Legal and policy measures should be complemented by education, public awareness, and the promotion of intercultural and interfaith understanding.
Is equally important to foster mutual respect, inclusivity, and a culture of tolerance, particularly among younger generations.
Mis also recognizes that emerging technologies and digital platforms have transformed the way information is shared and consumed.
While these developments offer significant opportunities, they also underscore the need to promote responsible use of technology and strengthen efforts to counter narratives that so hatred and division in accordance with law.
At a time of increasing polarization, international community must redouble its efforts to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and solidarity.
Combating racism and intolerance is a shared responsibility that requires sustained cooperation among states, international organizations, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.
Nia remains committed to engaging constructively with the Human Rights Council and all partners in advancing societies that are inclusive, equitable, and respectful of each other.
Thank you.
I call on the United Republic of Tanzania.
Mr.
Vice President, the United Republic of Tanzania align itself with the statement delivered on behalf of Africa Group and thank Special Rapporteur for presenting the report.
Tanzania recognizes the importance role of sports in promoting equality.
Inclusion, mutual understanding among people.
Sports has power to bridge racial, ethnic culture, divides, and promote respect for human dignity.
However, racism and racial discrimination continue to undermine these values and limit equal participation and opportunities.
We therefore encourage states and relevant stakeholders to strengthen effort to eliminate discrimination in sports by promoting equal opportunities, preventing racist practice, and ensuring accountability for acts of racism.
Mr.
President, Tanzania also recognizes the importance of addressing the historical and contemporary manifestation of racism.
We welcome adoption of General Assembly of the Declaration, recognizing the trafficking in enslaved African radicalized Charter enslavement of Africa as a gravest crime against humanity and encourage its effective implementation.
Tanzania remains committed to working constructively with this council to promote equality, combat racism, build inclusive society founded on dignity, justice, and mutual respect.
Thank you.
I call on Ethiopia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, Ethiopia, thanks the special port for presenting this timely report.
Sport has a unique capacity to unite people across culture, promote mutual understanding, and contribute to peace, inclusion, and sustainable development.
It should serve as a platform where diversity is celebrated and equal opportunities granted for all without discrimination of any kind.
It shares this concern that racism in sport is not limited to isolated incidents, but is often rooted in broader historical and cultural inequalities that continue to affect access, participation and representation, particularly for people in developing countries and marginalized communities.
Adré these diversities require tackling their underlying socioeconomic causes, including poverty unequal access to infrastructure, opportunity, and the enduring consequence of historical injustice.
Therefore support comprehensive and cooperative approach that strengthens national capacity, expand access to equality sports facilities, invest in youth development, and promote education awareness raising, intercultural dialogue.
Equal attention should also be given to increasing equitable representation in sport governance and ensuring effective measures to prevent and address racial acts including online hate speech.
In conclusion, let us work collectively to ensure that sport remains a powerful instrument for equality, dignity, solidarity, and mutual respect.
I thank you.
Congrats.
Thank you.
We give the floor.
Thank you, Vice President.
The State of Qatar thanks the Special Rapporteur on the contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination for the report on racism in sport.
We appreciate the report's focus on the importance of sport as an effective tool to promote equality and diversity as well as countering stereotypes and prejudices that fuel racism and discrimination.
Mr.
Vice President Qatar believes that a Sports are global language that bring cultures and people together, consolidating the values of respect, tolerance, and solidarity.
As such, Qatar has taken institutional and practical measures to combat racism and promote social inclusion through sport.
Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 delivered a remarkable model of the employment of sports as a tool to bring cultures together and to combat stereotypes and discrimination.
We've also supported FIFA's efforts in its no discrimination campaign in as a measure to promote a sports environment that is based on equality and respect.
We have a national sports Day in Qatar every February, and it is a unique initiative to promote sports and to remove cultural and racializing barriers among everyone who calls Qatar home.
Thank you.
Pakistan.
Pakistan is not taking the floor.
Brazil, do you wish to take the floor, please.
President Thank you, Chairperson Special Rapporteur for both reports.
Regarding racism in sports, Brazil recalls Human Rights Council resolutions 56 and 59, which we proudly led and were adopted by consensus.
Despite efforts by governments and federations, racist and xenophobic incidents continue to retain stadiums.
We must urgently strengthen accountability, prevent systemic bias, and structurally reinforce the human rights protections.
Furthermore, racism transcends stadiums, it impacts training grounds, schools, and the daily lives of athletes.
Combating this requires a holistic intersectional approach.
Sport is a powerful tool for social inclusion and must serve as a platform for human rights, never for discrimination.
Finally, Brazil remains committed to combating the glorification of nacism and regressive ideologies through international cooperation and initiatives against hate speech, both online and offline.
Rapporteur, how can the international community better coordinate with sports federations to enforce uniform accountability protocol for hasty behavior in sports arenas and stadiums.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I understand that the delegation of Algeriia requested the floor after the list of speakers had been closed.
If there are any objections, we can give the floor to Algeia.
You have the floor.
Okay.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Microphone for the speaker, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President Algeria.
I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur on her presentation of the report on addressing racism and racial discrimination in sports.
We agree with the report that sports must be a space to promote tolerance and respect among nations.
However, It still witnesses these concerning manifestations of racism and racial discrimination in stadium and beyond.
There is a legal obligation to protect against discrimination on the part of the states as per ICRD.
The sports Federations must take responsibilities in addressing these violations while providing remedies that are accessible to victims, Algeia also reaffirms advancing recommendations to addressing racial discrimination in sports events through the impact assessment scenarios in order to stem all forms of manifestations of discrimination.
In conclusion, sports must be a tool to promote dialogue amongst nations.
We call for international cooperation to address discrimination in sports so that athletes would enjoy a safe environment that is free of all forms of discrimination.
Thank you.
Thank you.
That brings us to the end of the list.
We were able to hear all countries that requested the floor and we will now turn to list of speakers for NHRAs and NGOs, starting with Geneve Paul Ldward Lm.
Thank you.
Sport exposed two mechanisms of racial discrimination across institutional spheres.
First, exclusion from participation in cricket, Asian and Black British athletes represent only 8% of professionals despite 30 to 35% recreational participation.
In India, Dalits, 17% of the population remain virtually absent from elite cricket.
Systematic barriers include poverty, discriminatory eligibility rules, and racial stereotyping.
Second, exclusion from governance.
In European football, senior governing worlds are held predominantly by white men.
In cricket, South Asians comprise 26 to 29% of recreational players yet occupy only 2.8% of senior leadership.
This pattern replicates across UN bodies, governments, court and corporations.
Power determines participation.
Intersectionality compound these arms.
Muslim women athletes face head covering bans in France, forcing a Wian sport choice.
Transgender and sex variant athletes face eligibility rules with racial Ps, bazard and Spanish Caucasian formulas affecting Black athletes and those from S San Africa and South Asia.
MG us in Pakistan face.
Thank you.
The International Association of Jewish Layers and tourists.
And special rapporteur, anti Semitism is once again rising across the world at alarming levels, unlike other forms of racism, which have unfortunately declined or remained relatively stable in many democracies, anti Semitism continue to grow and evolve.
Anti Semitism is distinguished by three unique characteristics.
First, it is the only form of hatred that has persisted continuously for centuries, adapting to changing political, religious, and social realities while retaining the same destructive core.
Second, It is the only form of racism that finds expression across the entire political spectrum.
It is embraced by extremists from the far right and the far left alike, uniting movements that otherwise agrees on little all else.
Third, it is the only form of hatred in the contemporary Western world that continues to exact such a devastating human toll.
Criticism of any government is legitimate.
However, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel, targeting Jewish individuals or institutions because of events in the Middle East or denying the Jewish people's right to self determination by rejecting the right for a state of their own are contemporary manifestations of anti Semitism.
Anti Semitism, however, is not a Jewish problem.
It is a test for our democracies and an indicator of the strength of our societies.
The challenges we face know no borders.
Our response must therefore be international, cooperative, and firmly guided by the rule of law.
Those who genuinely care about combating racism cannot remain indifferent.
Those committed to the protection of human rights must take an active part in combating it.
The fight against anti Semitism is central to the struggle against hatred and discrimination in all their forms.
I call on partners for transparency.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
This discussion is increasing important in the light of the continued the race of racist speech and the practice against immigrants and minorities in civil restring countries.
This situation raises serious concerns about expansion of discrimination and undermining of the principle of equality, which constitute one of the fundamental pillars for human rights system.
Mr.
Vice President, Partners for Transparency follows with deep concern the adoption by certain political leaders of racist discolors targeting refugees and immigrants in a number of Western countries.
In April 2026, the German Treril announced that approximately 80% of Austrian refugees residing in Germany have left the country by the end of his term of the office.
This announcement reflects the glowing political speech aimed to groups on the basic of their rights and legal status.
In the United Kingdom, crimes against Muslims increased by 19%.
In conclusion, Mr.
Vice President, partners cause the Western countries to combat the hate speech discrimination and politics and to strengthen measures aimed at protecting immigrants and the minorities and to address the hate crimes and racial discrimination.
I thank you.
Thank you.
In Christian Solidarity International.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
On September 19, 2023, the armed forces of Azerbijan launched an attack on the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh.
Within 12 days, the region had been emptied of virtually its entire Armenian population of 120,000 people.
This attack stands today as one of the most complete ethnic cleansing campaigns in modern history.
On November 17th, 2023, the International Court of Justice ruled that Azerbijan must, in accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, ensure that the persons who have left Nagorno Karaba are able to return in a safe, unimpeded, and expeditious manner.
Azerbaijan has not taken any meaningful steps to fulfill this order, and it continues to hold 20 Armenians as hostages.
On December 7th, 2021, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of vandalism and desecration affecting Armenian cultural heritage, again, in accordance with its obligations under SRD.
Instead, Azerbaijan continues to demolish Armenian churches, monuments, and cemeteries, most recently, the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Staponikirt in Nagornokarabach.
Madam Special Reporteur, we urge you to undertake a fact finding visit to the displaced and to submit a report on the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karaba to the Human Rights Council.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I call on the World Jewish Congress.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The Special Rapporteur's timely report on the forms of hatred and exclusion experienced in the world of sports sheds light on the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive response.
As stated in the report, sport is meant to unite.
Yet Jewish athletes, including children are being targeted for who they are, part of an alarming surge of anti Semitism around the globe that warrants urgent consideration from this council.
At a girls under 12 netball matches in Sydney, a woman allegedly told Jewish players and parents that they should have been eradicated.
That same week, testimony before Australia's Royal Commission on anti Semitism described an unprecedented rise in anti Semitic incidents in community sport, including a young player being told Hitler should have finished the job.
Similar chants were heard in Zurich directed at 10-year-old Jewish players Parents from adversary teams shouted, Break the Jews leg.
Jewish young athletes are advised not to wear the stereo David on their way to the pitch in order to hide their identity.
In England, Jewish schoolboys as young as 14 were subjected to chants of go back to gas chambers during a national school's football match this year.
This is why the World Jewish Congress builds together through sport, an initiative that arms clubs, Federations, and athletes with the tools to confront anti Semitism and every form of discrimination head on.
We call on the Special Rapporteur to stand with us and confront anti Semitism that has been poisoning society mill.
Thank you.
We grow International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations.
Thank you.
I'm speaking this statement on behalf of NGS with a long standing record of campaigning against racism.
We welcome this interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on racism.
Appreciate the engagement with civil society and the reports from the mandate in the landscape matter by raising xenophobic discourse attacks for migrants and refugees and growing intolerance, including xenophobia, and afrophobia and racism in sports, this mandate is essential.
We must continue monitoring these trends and actively engage with states to ensure reforms regarding these human rights violations.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Durban Declaration and program of action, the importance of informing its content cannot be neglected.
As highlighted by this mandate and the Council, the lack of public knowledge regarding the DDP and constitute a serious obstacle to its implementation.
For an instrument this is not known, cannot be fully realized.
We face a qualitative challenge to ensure the 25th anniversary become a turning point for restoring broad public and political support for the GDP and mobilizing for its full and effective implementation.
We invite the special reporter to take the lead role alongside states and committed civil societies in the mobilization for the success of the 25th anniversary to ensure it contributes to meaningful progress in the global efforts against all forms of racial discrimination.
Thank you, on the Sikh Human Rights group.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the special Reperportur for her report on racism and sport.
Sport is often called a great equalizer, a place where only ability should decide who plays.
This report reminds us how far that promise still is from reality.
It shows up in the rules that decide who is allowed to compete and in the silence around who is allowed to lead.
The SI Human Rights group, grounded in philosophy that holds all people as one, welcomes the report's finding on discriminatory dress and eligibility regulations that exclude athletes along racial and religious lines.
We are equally concerned by its finding on sport governance, where racial representation among players has not translated into racial representation and leadership.
A sport can look diverse on the field and remain unchanged in the room where its rules are written.
This reflects on longstanding proposal for a declaration on diversity, not to replace the DDPA, ICRD or existing human rights obligations, but to complement them encouraging states, sporting bodies, and civil societies to adopt practical programs that widen participations and leadership representation.
Special rapporteur, what should state and sporting bodies do differently to ensure racial representation does not stop at entry but reaches leadership? Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Palestinian return to the video.
Mr.
President, today, discrimination no longer needs a checkpoint or a border.
It's increasingly reinforced by digital algorithms that determine whose voices are heard and whose are silenced.
A reality already recognized by this council and especial Aba on contemporary forms of racism.
For Palestinians, this concern is particularly acute.
Digital platforms are essential tools for documenting displacement, reporting a human rights violations, and safeguarding the historical record of their violated rights for the world to see.
However, independent assessments, together with documentation by Palestinian digital rights organizations have raised serious concerns about the systematic and disproportionate restriction of Palestinian content and its adverse human rights impact.
We therefore urge the Special Buta to assess the extent to which the state influence over digital platforms contribute to discriminatory impacts on Palestinians based on their national or ethnic origin, to include the situation of the Palestinian people as a dedicated case of study a future thematic reporting on racial discrimination in the digital sphere, and to promote policies on reporting and evidence keeping mechanisms for businesses to ensure full compliance with the principles of equality and non discrimination.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Cross post this statement expressed concern over the approval by the Brazilian feathers and H of a decree that revoked the resolution of the National Council for the rights of children and adolescents on the human care of child, adults and the victims of rape and their access to legal abortion.
This decision represents a serious setback as the resolutions guidelines for care across all the states and municipalities.
It's repeal weakens institutional coordination, it deep territorial racial, socioeconomic inequalities.
The data illustrates a variation of the situation.
There are only 185 hospitals accredited to provide legal abortion services in Brazil and 6% are located in four states.
A study involved 55 young men and girls who traveled to access the service in 2025, found that nearly 70% had a monthly income of two minimum wages and half were black.
Black girls are also the majority of rape victims in the country and of girls aged ten to 14 who give birth.
We respectfully request the special rapporteur raise this issue at the Brazilian state and recommend restating the resolution ensuring comprehensive protection for the most vulnerable girls, especially black in gens canboa and those living in remote areas.
Thank you.
Thank you.
That was the last speaker.
Mr.
Vice President, racism and discrimination in India are not historical remnants.
They are contemporary, systemic and embedded in state institutions.
Multiple UN bodies including the UN Human Rights Committee have raised concerns regarding India about discrimination and violence against minorities including sex and the persistent misuse of security laws that disproportionately target these communities.
In September 2023, special rapporteur on minority issues stated India risks becoming one of the world's main generators of instability.
Atrocities and violence because of the massive scale of gravity of the violations, abuses targeting mainly religious and other minorities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, is not just individual or local, it is systematic and a reflection of religious nationalism under Prime Minister Narender Modi.
These independent evaluations demonstrate that the targeting of Sikh and other minorities is not incidental.
It reflects a racialized system of control under this regime.
India racializes Sikh political expression as extremism, a label repeatedly challenged by independent experts in human rights organizations across the world.
This racialized expression extends beyond India's borders.
Sikh activists like Gurpd Singh in the UK face disinformation campaigns from India, intimidation and harassment as a form of Indian transnational repression and sanctions that restrict his ability to advocate for his community and human rights.
Today, I urge this council to recognize that the targeting of Sikh, especially those advocating for self determination in the form of Kalistan is not just a security issue, it's a contemporary form of racism.
Thank you.
Gatt.
Thank you.
With that, we'll return the floor to the Special Rapporteur for her to give her clding remarks.
I think you have around 6 minutes, ma'am.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
I welcome the comments, questions, and observations shared by member states civil society organizations.
While we discuss sports and racism today, we continue to witness incidents of racism unfolding during one of the world's largest global sports events currently taking place and these incidents only underscores the urgent need for stronger action.
It is deeply concerning that several member states have failed to take sufficient measures to prevent and to address and unequivocally condemn these acts despite their obligations to combat racism and promote non discrimination.
My report starts from the premise that racism in sports is not confined to isolated incidents of abuse.
It reflects a broader structural inequalities, and if we are to effectively combat racism in sports, our response must therefore go beyond addressing individual incidents and instead tackle the systemic barriers that continue to exclude racially and ethnically marginalized communities.
With regards to concerns raised about the best practices, implementations of intersectionality in grassroots and addressing discrimination and exclusion, I would like to reiterate that One of the clearest lessons from my report is that there is no single solution to combating racism in sports.
The most effective approach are comprehensive, right based, and developed in partnership with most affected communities, and I've observed several promising practices.
These include independent reporting and complaint mechanisms that enable athletes and others to report discrimination safely, mandatory human rights and anti racism education for athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators, meaningful representation of historically marginalized communities in leadership and decision making and stronger cooperation between governments sports governing bodies, civil society, educational institutions, and technological companies to address both offline and online racism.
The report also emphasizes that importance of adopting intersectional approach.
Therefore, I urge member states to take serious note of the significance of intersectional approach in policy making and experiences of racism are frequently compounded by discrimination based on gender, disability, religion, migration status, um, several other similar determinant factors, and understanding these intersecting realities enable states and sporting institutions to design policies that are more responsive to lived experiences and ensure that those facing the greatest barriers are not rendered invisible.
To scale these practices globally, member states should integrate human rights standards into national sports policies, encourage sports Federations to adopt common anti racism frameworks consistent with the international human rights law, invest in capacity building, facilitate the exchange of good practices across regions.
Um Technology companies have also become indispensable actors in addressing racism in sports and therefore, digital platforms have significantly amplified the reach and impact of racial abuse directed towards athletes and supporters.
In this context, I urge member states to engage actively with social media companies to strengthen content moderation and anti racism regulation consistent with international human rights standards.
Ultimately, combating racism in sports requires more than responding after discrimination has occurred.
It requires transforming these structures, um, cultures and institutions that continue to reproduce inequality.
Coming to my report on combating glorification of neo Nazism, I would like to urge member states to implement a national plan and comprehensive national framework to address and combat the rise of neo Nazism and far right extremist ideologies.
One of the fundamental ways to address The rise of neo Nazi ideology is education and education remains one of the most effective long term response to these challenges and addressing these challenges also requires coordinated action in the digital sphere, and therefore, states should work closely with technological companies to strengthen transparency, improve content moderation consistent with international human rights law.
Allow me to conclude with one broader reflection.
Although today's discussion has focused on two distinct reports, they reveal a common challenge, whether addressing racism in sports or resurgence of neo Nazi ideologies, we are confronting structural systems of exclusion that undermine the basic ethos of human rights.
International Human Rights Legal Framework already provides member states with a strong normative framework.
The challenges today is not primarily the absence of standards, but the persistent gap between commitment and implementation.
Across my previous reports to both the Council and General Assembly have consistently proposed practical human rights based recommendations on combating racism, addressing structural discrimination, advancing reparatory justice, and strengthening equality.
Yet, many of these recommendations remain only partially implemented.
Too often, commitments are acknowledged in principle but are not translated in sustained policies.
Adequate resources or meaningful accountability.
I therefore urge member states to move beyond declarations of commitments and towards concrete implementation.
Lastly, I urge member states to have sustained political will, coordinated action, and genuine and positive partnership with affected communities and only then we can dismantle the structural inequalities that continue to fuel racism and related forms of intolerance.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I thank the Special Rapporteur not only for her participation in today's dialogue, but for her work with the council throughout the year.
This brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue, unless there is any pending matter from the Secretariat.
If not, I believe that wraps up item nine on the council's agenda.
Item nine is closed.
We'll now just take a technical break and then we'll continue with the presentation on the Commission Technical Commission of Georgia A if you Excellencies, distinguished participants.
I now open item ten of the agenda entitled Technical Assistance and Capacity Building.
We'll now proceed with the presentation of the report of the High Commission on technical Cooperation with Georgia.
I have the honor to give the floor to miss Merritt Khon Shia, Director of the Global Operations Division at OHCHR to present her report, the report manu of the Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Excellencies, I have the honor to present the report on cooperation with Georgia, contained in report A slash HRC slash 62 slash 58 as requested by Resolution 60 29.
The report contains information on key human rights developments between one January and 31 December 2025.
It outlines the technical assistance provided by OATHRs senior Human Rights advisor and team in Georgia to the government and other institutions.
The report also covers human rights issues and challenges in Abkhazia, Georgia, and Tiki Valley region in Sou Ossetia, Georgia, as requested by the Human Rights Council.
We note the continued cooperation of the government of Georgia, including in hosting an OHHR presence in Tbilisi.
During the reporting period, OHHR conducted 31 capacity building events across Georgia, reaching 920 participants, including 593 women.
Participants in OHHR sponsored programs and events included members of the Georgian Bar Association, youth groups, national religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and civil society organizations.
OHHHR noted a series of legislative, institutional and political developments in Georgia that gave rise to serious human rights concerns.
Throughout 2025, the trend of adopting legislation restricting civic space and undermining the freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly continued.
This included the enactment of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and amendments to the Grants law, the law and Assembly and manifestations, the Code of Administrative offenses, and the Criminal Code.
The office remains concerned about allegations of human rights violations in the context of public protests, including arbitrary arrests, ill treatment, and the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against demonstrators, journalists, and media workers.
While noting the government's response, including the arrest in May of this year, five current and former law enforcement officers in connection with alleged acts of violence against the protesters in 2024, OHHR urges the authorities to conduct prompt, independent and thorough investigations into all such allegations with a view to ensuring accountability and full respect for due process and fair trial guarantees.
Excellencies, regrettably, the authorities in controlling Abkhazia and South Ossetia have still not responded to our request for access, despite this council's repeated calls since 2017.
We reiterate our call for immediate and unimpeded access for all relevant human rights mechanisms, including our office.
We call on all relevant actors to lift undue movement restrictions and fully reopen all crossing points along the administrative boundary lines as this is essential for the full enjoyment of human rights, including the right to freedom of movement.
It is equally important to address ongoing allegations of human rights violations, particularly those affecting ethnic Georgians in the Gale and Akalgore districts and to ensure the full protection and realization of their rights.
We further stress the need for the authorities in controlling Abkhazia and South Ossetia to conduct investigations into all alleged violations of the right to life, as well as torture or ill treatment, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and effective remedies for victims.
We call for an end to arbitrary deprivation of liberty in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and for all related practices to be brought fully in line with international human rights law.
It is also critical to lift existing restrictions on freedom of movement and address their adverse humanitarian and human rights impacts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia while ensuring the equal enjoyment of rights for all affected populations.
Finally, we emphasize the importance of combating gender based discrimination and violence, ensuring that women and girls have safe and unhindered access to essential services, including sexual and reproductive health as well as meaningful opportunities for participation.
Ensuring equal access to economic, social and cultural rights, including quality education free from discrimination, and the right to receive instructions in one's native language remains essential.
Regret that most of the recommendations from OATHRs previous reports to this council have not been implemented and that the human rights situation covered this period has not improved.
In fact, it has deteriorated.
This underscores the urgent need for renewed commitment and concrete action by all duty bearers to uphold the human rights of affected populations.
The office remains available to support these efforts.
I thank you.
Thank you.
In line with the usual practice, we should hit the delegation to the country concerned by the report.
I now give the floor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia five.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairperson.
Let me also thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights for presenting this report pursuant to the Human Rights Council resolution on cooperation with Georgia.
Despite the persistent calls of the Council, we continue to witness a grave security, human rights, and humanitarian situation in Russo occupied, Georgia's Apaian Somalia regions, and restrictions imposed by the occupying power, the Russian Federation on access for the OHCHR and other international human rights mechanism to occupied regions.
As duly highlighted in the High Commissioner's report, the human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied regions continues to be characterized by torture and ill treatment, arbitrary detention, violations of housing, land and property, and cultural rights, restrictions on education in the Georgian language, lack of access to livelihoods, healthcare and essential services, discrimination on ethnic grounds, restrictions on freedom of movement through installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation line.
The report further notes that prolonged detention remained a serious concern.
It is deeply alarming that impunity for the brutal murder and death of Georgians, Dabit Basha Ruling, Kygo Hoorah Arch Tatunshrih, Iraqi Kayah, Tamas Ginuri, Ui Karbaya clearly demonstrates that technically motivated torture and killings are tolerated and even encouraged by Russia and its occupation regime as stated in the report no progress was recorded during the reporting period and no one has been held accountable for the death.
Regrettably, Hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees remain deprived of their right to return to their homes, which is a core legal and humanitarian requirement for conflict settlement.
This is precisely why the Russian Federation continues to obstruct substantive discussions within the Geneva international discussions by repeatedly avoiding meaningful engagement on the return of IDP and refugees, including through staged walkouts.
Concurrently, the continued militarization of the occupied regions further heightens security risks.
Steps to establish a Russian naval base in Ochamche combined with the unlawful operation of Sohomi airport and unauthorized direct flights from Russia, as well as unlawful works on the railway infrastructure threaten Georgia's security and also undermine region stability.
Moreover, the so called Treaty on Depending Allied cooperation signed recently on May nine, 2026, between the Russian Federation and the Srinvali occupation regime and the mediate steps taken for the implementation of this illegal so called agreement and the appointment of a Russian citizen as the ruler of Georgia's sovereign territory represents an extremely alarming development.
As yet another Russian attempt to annex the occupied Shimalia region in complete violation of international law.
The judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and the decision of the International Criminal Court unequivocally confined the occupation and effective control exercised by the Russian Federation, as well as its responsibility for human rights violations in Georgia's occupied regions.
Here, let me underline that UN human rights platforms should not be used for status related political purposes, including in the context of the Russia Georgia conflict.
The UN's human rights architecture should remain focused on addressing the grave human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation in Georgia's occupied territories and should not be used in a manner that contributes to reinforcing the false narrative by portraying conflict as ethnic conflict between Georgians and Abkhaz between Georgians and Ossetians rather than as Russia Georgia conflict.
Such narratives are contrary to Georgia sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Such narrative periodically is promoted by the Russian Federation within the UN system as well.
Only through a strong and consistent stance by the international community, we can ensure that Russia, the state exercising effective control over Georgia's occupied regions, fulfills all international obligations under the EU mediated 12 August ceasefire agreement.
Mr.
President, Georgia remains committed to its active cooperation with OHCHR and to its constructive engagement within this council.
Thank you very much.
B.
Thank you very much.
Now, before we proceed with the presentation of the oral update of the High Commissioner on enhancement of technical assistance and capacity building in Colombia, pursuant to Council resolution 59 24, I wish to join the expression of sadness on the passing of the Colombian ambassador, His Excellency, Mr.
Gustavo Guilon Geraldo.
We'd like to present our condolences to his family here present and to the delegation of Colombia.
Ambassador Guyon was a reputed jurist, a committed human rights defender and defender of peace in his dear country in Colombia.
This council has benefited directly from his wisdom because he was part of the working mechanisms in Ecuador, Guinea in Haiti and subsequently, he became part of this council as permanent representative of Colombia in Geneva from November 2022.
Gustavo, for those of us who had the privilege to have him as a colleague and to count him among our friends, he was somebody who was deeply human.
He was he had very many qualities, and we all have an extremely positive memory of him.
Can I ask us all please in tribute to his memory to have a minute of silence.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the Distinguish delegation of Colombia.
Thank you, Vice President.
On behalf of the family of Ambassor Guilln, his wife, her daughters, and all staff members of the Pemou Mission here, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for the many expressions of affection and condolence at this time of immense sadness.
Ambassador Guilln was an exceptional man with a high sense of social duty and a deep vaification for service.
For him, the multilateral system was a fundamental, essential, indispensable instrument to make progress in the defense and promotion of human rights as a central axis to build peace in Colombia and the world.
For this reason, he always expressed deep concern about the serious crisis affecting the system and constantly reiterated the need to surround, protect, and strengthen the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, the special procedures, the Office of the High Commissioner and the treaty bodies.
That call, which was a permanent expression of his commitment to human dignity as the central axis of a more just, inclusive, egalitarian, peaceful world, I reiterate on his behalf.
His legacy will live on and those of us who have learned from his example, his integrity, his generosity, his unwavering commitment to human rights and peace, and his deep faith that one day there will be a generation of Colombians who only know war from history books and not from the reality that they live day by day, I thank you.
Thank you.
I recognize the distinguished ambassador of Argentino.
Yes.
Thank you, President.
Today, this room is darker and more silent.
Not only because we're bidding farewell to a distinguished diplomat, but we're bidding farewell to a man whose presence lit up this committee of Nations.
Ambassador Gustavo Gil dedicated life to public service.
That was his vocation.
He had huge integrity and faithfulness to His duty.
We recall above all the man, his human warmth, his inspiring simplicity, his ability to listen, his readiness to dialogue, and his deep respect for everyone.
There are people whose absence affects us it leaves a gap.
Ambassador Guyon has had an enormous impact in all.
He brought honor to Colombia.
He was a greatly appreciated colleague.
His friendship and human warmth were greatly valued.
We will remember him through the steps that we took together, the example of a life dedicated to others.
Fully dedicating his intellect, his generosity, and his humanity to that.
He was coordinator of the Latin American Caribbean Group.
We all express our deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Colombia.
There is no doubt that he will rest in peace because he was a man of peace.
Peace was what he always sought throughout his life.
His latest steps here and the last words that he spoke here will resonate in this room and inspire many statements of peace and protection of human rights from all within this community of nations.
I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished ambassador of Ecuador.
Thank you, President.
I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family and all of the staff of the Pempt Mission of Colombia at the irreparable loss of Ambassador Guyon.
This was a wonderful human being, a distinguished diplomat and an untiring defender of human rights.
He was appreciated and respected by all who had the privilege to know him and work with him.
And enjoy his friendship not only in Latin America and the Caribbean, but in all regions.
This was an exemplary citizen of Colombia and Latin America.
He has left a major legacy of commitment to human dignity.
I thank you.
Thank you, Ambassador.
We must continue with the work of this council, expressing once more our sorrow and our solidarity.
We will now hear the update from the High Commissioner on the situation in Colombia.
I give the floor to Martha and S for that.
Thank you, Vice President.
Excellencies.
Before I begin, I would like to pay tribute to life and legacy of Ambassador Gustavo Guillen and express my deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.
Those of us who had the privilege of knowing his career, I have the deepest respect and admiration for his unwavering commitment to human rights.
Over more than five decades, he was one of the main architects and leaders of the human rights movement in Colombia, contributing decisively to the establishment of our office in the country in 1997.
In recent years, he promoted with conviction the recommendations of the Truth Commission and the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement.
Likewise, since 2022 as Kerman Representative of Colombia to this council, he played a leading role in the promotion of the human rights agenda globally, as well as in his responsibilities as special representative for Equatorial Guinea and special rapporteur for Haiti.
His departure saddens us deeply.
However, his legacy and memory will continue to inspire us in our common work to build societies that are fairer and more respectful of human rights.
Dear Gustave, written piece.
Now, allow me to present this update.
Pursuant to resolution A HRC res 53 22 on technical cooperation in the Field of human rights in Colombia.
The Office recognizes the state's efforts to advance in the implementation of the recommendations of the commission for the clarification of truth, coexistence, and non repetition in areas such as transitional justice, the fight against impunity, comprehensive rule reform, and security sector reform.
However, structural obstacles remain such as challenges and institutional articulation and the persistence of factors of violence that limit the transformative capacity of the Peace Agreement.
The first sentence is handed down by the Special Jrisdiction for Peace in 2025 on kidnappings by FQP members and killings and enforced disappearances illegitimately presented as combat casualties constitute an essential step in the fight against impunity.
Its implementation is at a crucial stage, and it will be essential to ensure its functioning and safeguard its independence.
It is crucial to ensure the centrality of the comprehensive implementation of the Peace Agreement in order to reduce violence and advance in peace building through the institutional, budgetary and administrative strengthening of the relevant entities and mechanisms.
Peace efforts must guarantee the effective participation of communities, the right to consultation for indigenous and Efron descendant peoples, and the protection of children from forced recruitment.
Colombia continues to face high levels of violence against human rights offenders, mostly associated with social control, territorial disputes, and illegal economies run by non state armed actors.
In 2025, the office verified 99 cases of killings of defenders and in 2026, it has received 68 allegations of killings.
The office provided technical advice to authorities on the participatory construction of a national policy of guarantees for defenders.
The adoption, financing, and implementation of this policy is urgent.
The office also supported the development of a roadmap promoted by civil society to reform the prevention Protection model, which gives centrality to collective protection and gender, ethnic, and territorial approaches.
It is crucial for the new government to consolidate this new paradigm of protection.
The O welcomed the adoption of the National Plan of action on Human Rights 2026 to 2036.
After two decades of work between state institutions and civil society organizations with the technical cooperation of our office.
Yes.
The 2026 election period passed peacefully with isolated and minor acts of violence without impact on the electoral results, despite the fact that the electoral context was marked by high levels of polarization and in some cases, hate speech.
Under the leadership of the ombudsman, the office promoted nine points under which certain presidential candidates committed to condemning political violence, refraining from promoting discriminatory speech, disinformation, and respecting democratic rules in Tralia.
Challeges remain in advancing in the promotion, protection of the population against aggression by non state armed groups and criminal organizations.
The policy on dismantling criminalized organizations designed with the technical assistance of the office represents regional milestone in addressing organized crime with a human rights based approach.
We reiterate the importance of initiating its comprehensive and simultaneous implementation of priority areas of Notre del Coca and Magdalene Medo, which register high levels of violence.
Vice President, we reiterate our commitment to continuing to work constructively with the new government of Colombia contributing to the guarantee of Human Rights.
The Peace Agreement is the ideal and effective instrument to contribute to non recurrence and to resolve structural problems of conflict and violence, including transitional justice and the rights of victims.
We emphasize the need to ensure the continuity of monitoring and technical cooperation by the office as well as to provide it with necessary resources to fulfill its mandate as requested by this council.
This will be essential to continue supporting Colombia in the consolidation of peace and the guarantee of Human Rights.
Thank you.
Thank you very much now in line with our practice.
We will hear from the delegation of the concerned country and I give the floor to the distinguished Representative Colombia, you have 5 minutes.
Thank you, Vice President.
I delivered the speech with deep emotion and immense gratitude, trying with humility to convey with my voice the words of someone who is no longer physically with us, but whose dedication to the defense of human rights of the most vulnerable over five decades.
Has become a legacy and an example to follow.
Ambassador Gustavo Guilon was entirely convinced of the value of cooperation and technical assistance in the field of human rights as a fundamental tool to overcome the great structural challenges that have prevented Colombia from consolidating peace.
Colombia welcomed the adoption by the Council of three resolutions aimed at making progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth Commission.
One of the objectives of those resolutions is to move towards a culture of peace that overcomes the culture of violence that has tragically and painfully marked the history of Colombia.
Christopher Gayn always expressed gratitude to the Office of the High Commissioner, the Council, and its mechanisms, the treaty bodies, special procedures, and the international community for the support and accompaniment that they have provided over decades to Colombia in its search for peace and the construction of a more just inclusive and respectful society, respect for human dignity.
Our country has lived for decades with the painful consequences of armed conflict, exclusion, inequality, discrimination, and serious human rights violations.
The Final Peace Agreement and the comprehensive System of truth justice reparation and non recurrence constitute one of the most important efforts in our recent history.
The final report of the Truth Commission not only reflects the pain of millions of victims, but also offers a roadmap for understanding the root causes of violence and building a different society more just, more democratic, more inclusive, more respectful of human dignity.
Gustavo Gon deeply understood the value of that legacy and the importance of making the recommendations of the Truth Commission a reality.
This was reflected in his work, Table, in which he sought to bring Colombians closer to the findings and recommendations of the Commission, to facilitate their understanding, and to call on society to contribute to their implementation.
As I thank you for your report, understanding made by the Director of Global Operations, and understanding the difficult circumstances that the Universal System of Human Rights is going through today.
I would like to ask you today, Madam Deputy High Commissioner and the Council, that the cooperation technical assistance that the office provides to Colombia continue to ensure that one day, we have a generation of Colombians educated in that culture of peace that Gustavo Gallon dreamed of and which he saw reflected in the following words of Gabriel Garcia Marquez pronounced before this council recently by him.
It is time to understand that this cultural disaster is not remedied with lead or money, but with an education for peace.
An education that is reflective and encourages us to discover who we are in a society that is more like the one that we deserve, that guides us from the cradle in the early identification of vocations and the right congenital aptitude to be able all our life to do only what we need to do, the magic recipe for happiness and longevity.
In short, a legitimate revolution of peace that brings into life The immense creative energy that for almost two decades we have used to destroy ourselves and that vindicates and exalts the predominance of the imagination.
I thank you, Vice President.
Ours.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much for your professionalism at this time.
It is not sufficient consolation, I know, but we are with you at this time.
Excellencies, distinguished participants.
This brings us to the end of this meeting.
We will reconvene this afternoon at 3:00 P.M.
To hold the biennial thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation capacity building.
And I hereby close this 27th meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
Thank you.