Xenophobia against vulnerable groups (HRC32, 2016, OS)

IMADR delivered its oral statement on “Xenophobia against vulnerable groups” at the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. 

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IMADR Oral Statement: 32nd 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

27 June 2016

Thank you Mr. President,

 We welcome the Special Rapporteur´s report on the phenomenon of xenophobia and its conceptualization, trends and manifestations. In the current era of high mobility across the world, there is an alarming increase of manifestations of xenophobia. Hate crimes and hate speech, implicit and structural discrimination are too often rooted in xenophobia. Regardless of the form of manifestation, xenophobia violates the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination under international human rights law.

Due to the current migratory dynamics, tensions leading to discrimination including xenophobic discrimination are acute. We regret the increasing reference to certain groups by States as threats to security. In line with the February 2016 report by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, we believe that any effective security strategy should not be based on pre-conceptions about certain groups.

We would like to express our deep concern in relation to the presence of xenophobia in the political discourse, a phenomenon that has been especially significant in Europe. We urge States to create an environment which does not tolerate xenophobia. It is especially important to address the incapability of the justice system to tackle xenophobia through the prosecution of hate crimes and hate speech.

Mr. President,

We would like to highlight the particular vulnerability of people to xenophobia who are discriminated not only on the basis of ethnicity or national origin, but also based on disability, sex, sexual orientations or gender identification. It is necessary that States adopt comprehensive policies on non-discrimination in order to bring the adequate protection to all people.

We would like to draw the attention of the Council to the issue of xenophobia against minorities and indigenous peoples. Xenophobic discrimination against minorities and indigenous peoples has been expressed through the denial of the recognition of their identity by States and public institutions. The non-recognition of their status deprives those groups of the protection and promotion of their rights and leaves them in limbo.

We would like to ask a question to the Special Rapporteur:

• What is your plan to further address the issue of xenophobia at the current time of migration and refugee crisis?

Thank you Mr. President.