News

- Racism and UN
Joint NGO submission on Treaty Body Strengthening to UN Secretary-General (2019)

General Assembly resolution 68/268 requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly, a third “comprehensive report on the status of the human rights treaty body system and the progress achieved by the human rights treaty bodies in realizing greater efficiency and effectiveness in their work” in 2019. In responding to the call for contributions, IMADR joined with nine other international human rights NGOs in making this submission which focuses on: the objectives and principles for the 2020 review; visibility and accessibility; membership; working methods and inter-committee coordination; and the growth of the treaty body system and adequate funding. Click the image below to read the full text.
May 9, 2019
- Racism and UN
Combatting racial hatred in political campaign (HRC Intersessional Panel, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Combatting racial hatred in political campaign” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: Intersessional high-level panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism: identifying challenges and good practices 2 April 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We welcome the convening of this intersessional panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism at this critical time. We share our concerns with the Human Rights Council on the rise of racism and racial discrimination in the political and public spheres which is further marginalising particular members of the […]
April 2, 2019
- Racism and UN
Countering racial and ethnic hatred in politics (HRC40, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Countering racial and ethnic hatred in politics” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Debate on the mitigation and countering of rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies 15 March 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, At the outset, we express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the shooting at two mosques which took place today in Christchurch, New Zealand. We welcome this annual panel discussion to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. […]
March 15, 2019
- Racism and UN
Template for Civil Society Actors: Follow-up on the CERD recommendations

IMADR and the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) developed a template which aims to help civil society actors prepare information for the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to assess the implementation of its follow-up recommendations at the national level. Download and use the template to share your assessment with the CERD. Spanish version will be soon available. The template is also available in French, Spanish, Italian.
February 2, 2017
- Racism and UN
Hundreds of NGOs demand fair and non-discriminatory access to UN

IMADR joined over 230 NGOs to request the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory and consistent practice and procedures of its Committee on NGOs. The Committee has faced criticism for increasing politicisation of its function, especially in considering applications from human rights organisations for UN consultative status. The letter was sent on 24 May 2016. — Open Letter to ECOSOC regarding the Committee on NGOs To: Member States of ECOSOC Cc: Chair of the Committee on NGOs, President of the General Assembly, President of the Human Rights Council, Member States of the UN General Assembly, UN Secretary General. Excellencies, We write to you regarding the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs (the Committee), […]
May 25, 2016
- Racism and UN
Nigeria: UN Special Rapporteurs conduct a joint-visit to support women and child survivors from Boko Haram captivity

From 18 to 22 January 2016, UN Special Rapporteurs on the sale of children, slavery and the right to health will undertake a joint- mission to Nigeria to provide assistance in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the women and children who escaped or were liberated from Boko Haram captivity. The Special Rapporteurs will collect information on initiatives on the issue taken by different stakeholders including the Government of Nigeria, international bodies and civil society actors. They will also be meeting representatives from various Ministries, civil society and relevant UN agencies. The report on the visit will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2016. Read the press release on their visit to Nigeria To assist their mission, IMADR […]
January 14, 2016
- Racism and UN
Over hundred of NGOs call upon governments at UN General Assembly to protect human rights defenders

IMADR joined 180 NGOs to urge governments to support the resolution entitled “Rcognizing the role of human rights defenders and the need for their protection” at the plenary of UN General Assembly. The resolution is due to be adopted on 17 December 2015. Read and share the text below or download in English , French and Arabic . Previous letter for the adoption of the resolution at the Third Committee on Wednesday 25 November 2015 is available here . ——— To: All Member States of the United Nations General Assembly French and Arabic versions also supplied 9 December 2015 VOTE IN FAVOUR OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS RESOLUTION IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY Excellencies, We are a group […]
December 10, 2015
- Racism and UN
CERD will address racial discrimination in Egypt, Holy See, Lithuania, Mongolia, Slovenia and Turkey (November 2015)

At its 88th session from 23rd November to 11th December 2015, UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will consider the situations of racial discrimination in following countries. Civil society organisations are encouraged to submit their reports on Egypt, Holy See, Lithuania, Mongolia, Slovenia and Turkey. The Committee will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Convention on 26th November 2015. Practical Information Deadline for submission of NGO reports: 2nd November 2015 For further information and State parties’ reports, please visit the official CERD website Use our “ICERD and CERD: Guide for Civil Society Actors” for effective participation in the session Watch discussions live! UN Treaty Body Webcast If you are an NGO participating in the […]
September 25, 2015
- Racism and UN
Truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence in Sri Lanka (HRC30, 2015, WS)

IMADR submitted a written statement on “The need for truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence in Sri Lanka as a matter of fundamental and basic rights” at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— The need for truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence in Sri Lanka as a matter of fundamental and basic rights In order to reach long-lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, it is of a vital importance that the Government guarantees an end to the culture of impunity that has characterized previous governments and put in place comprehensive policies with due respect for […]
September 23, 2015
- Racism and UN
HRC 30 Side Event: Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka (3pm, 18 September)

Together with Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Franciscans International and Minority Rights Group International, IMADR is holding a side event on “Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka” at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council from 3 pm, Friday 18 September at Room XXII in Palais des Nations. For further information, click on the flyer below.
September 14, 2015
- Racism and UN
Interlinkage between caste and slavery was highlighted at the UN Human Rights Council

On 18th June at the 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council, International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) held a side event on “Caste and gender-based forced and bonded labour: the role of the UN in combatting the intersection of caste and gender in the area of forced and bonded labour”, co-sponsored by IMADR and other organisations. The event was opened by a keynote video address by the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Slavery, Ms. Urmila Bhoola. The report of the side event is available for circulation.
July 3, 2015
- Racism and UN
Tackling racist hate speech and ICERD (HRC29, 2015, OS)

IMADR statement on “Tackling racist hate speech and ICERD” at the 29th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 29th session of the Human Rights Council Item 9: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 30 June 2015 Thank you Mr. President, We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report on combating glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices. Across the world, we have been witnessing the rise of racist groups in both political and social spheres. Those groups publicly carry out hate speech targeting ethnic, national, religious and other […]
June 30, 2015
- Racism and UN
[August 2015] CERD will discuss racial discrimination in Colombia, Costa Rica, Niger, Suriname, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Norway and Netherlands

At its 87th session in August, UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will consider the situations of racial discrimination in following countries. Civil society organisations are encouraged to submit their reports on Colombia, Costa Rica, Niger, Suriname, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Norway and Netherlands. Practical Information Deadline for submission of NGO reports: 13 July 2015 For further information and State parties’ reports, please visit the official CERD website Use our “ICERD and CERD: Guide for Civil Society Actors” for effective participation in the session Watch discussions live! UN Treaty Body Webcast If you are an NGO participating in the forthcoming session and interested in receiving further information from IMADR, please […]
June 16, 2015
- Racism and UN
CERD adopted concluding observations of France, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sudan, Germany and Denmark (15 May 2015)

On the last day of the 86th session, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) adopted the concluding observations of France, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sudan, Germany and Denmark. *Recommendations with asterisks [*] are follow-up recommendations Concluding observations, reports of the State parties and other stakeholders are available at the OHCHR website . You can also watch the public meetings with State parties at UN Treaty Body Webcast . France The Committee expressed concern on prevailing hate speech including in the internet. Discrimination against Muslims and the treatment of Roma and travellers were concerned. Violations of indigenous peoples’ rights in oversea territories, such as New Caledonia and French Guyana, were inquired during […]
May 15, 2015
- Racism and UN
Human rights defenders shared experience in Burma and Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (19 March 2015)

On 19th March 2015, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) and Forum-Asia hosted a parallel event titled “Political Transition, Democracy and Human Rights: The Experience in Burma and Sri Lanka” at the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The speakers for the event are Dr. Nimalka Fernando from IMADR and Ms. Khin Ohmar from Burma Partnership . The moderator for the panel discussion was Dr. Matt Pollard from International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) which works on independence of judges and lawyers, and access to justice. Attacks against minorities Dr. Pollard opened the discussion by questioning the current situation of ethnic and religious minorities in the […]
March 31, 2015
- Racism and UN
Recognition of past tragedies of minorities: Sinti and Roma, ethnic Koreans in Japan (HRC28, 2015, OS)

IMADR statement on “Recognition of past tragedies of minorities: Sinti and Roma, ethnic Koreans in Japan” at the 28th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 28th session of the Human Rights Council Debate on the state of racial discrimination worldwide 20 March 2015 Thank you Mr. President, We appreciate this debate in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. “Recognition” of historical tragedies is essential to combat racial discrimination. Many minority and indigenous communities in the world continue to face stigmatisation, which too often ignores past atrocities against them. Sinti and Roma people […]
March 21, 2015