The 61st Session of the Human Rights Council

23rd February 2026 – 1st April 2026

Item 9: General Debate Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

24th March 2026

Joint statement by International Lawyers.Org and GICJ

Delivered by Baibare Patience / GICJ

Mr. President,

We welcome the continued efforts to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). We reaffirm the DDPA as the essential functional framework for addressing historical injustices and upholding the core principles of equality, non-discrimination, and justice for all. This framework remains a landmark commitment in the global pursuit of human dignity, recognizing the deep-seated origins of systemic inequality.

However, we remain deeply concerned by the persistence of systemic racism and the evolving nature of discriminatory practices globally. Despite advanced legal frameworks, structural exclusion continues to manifest through racial profiling and systemic barriers in employment, healthcare, and education. We are particularly alarmed by the proliferation of incitement to racial hatred in the digital sphere, where algorithmic bias frequently amplifies existing prejudices against persons of African descent, migrants, and minority communities, further entrenching systemic disadvantage.

Therefore, International Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge Member States to harmonize domestic legislation with international human rights standards to ensure effective accountability and access to justice for victims of discrimination. States must adopt comprehensive, time-bound National Action Plans that include the collection of disaggregated data to address structural inequalities effectively. Furthermore, we call for the advancement of reparatory justice for historical injustices, as recognized in the Durban framework, to dismantle the root causes of systemic inequality. Racism remains a grave violation of human dignity; we call upon this Council to translate rhetorical commitments into concrete, measurable actions.

Thank you.