EU Presidency Statement - Racism

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to make this general statement on behalf of all the Member States of the European Union.

At the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. These phenomena run counter to the principles which underlie the EU, namely liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, rule of law and non-discrimination.

This resolution on implementation of and follow-up to the World Conference is another step in this common struggle. The EU would like to express its appreciation for the spirit of co-operation and flexibility in which the informal consultations have taken place. We are grateful particularly for the constructive approach taken by the G77 and especially for the excellent work by the distinguished delegate of Venezuela as Chair, without whose efforts we would not have made the progress we did.

The European Union is disappointed that we were not able to adopt this resolution without a vote, although it is our understanding that only one of the four racism texts before us today is the subject of a vote. If the UN's anti-racism programme is to be truly effective it must to be based on consensus resolutions which should not be politized.

Mr Chairman,

The European Union will support follow-up work to the World Conference as agreed in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and as set out in the resolution we have just adopted. We expect every effort to be made to ensure that this follow-up is carried out efficiently and economically. The European Union is concerned that we have not seen statements of programme budget implication connected to this resolution in sufficient time to consider them properly. This is not a satisfactory situation on an issue of this importance, and has complicated an already difficult process of intergovernmental negotiation. We have not had time to consider the PBIs, and, for that reason, the European Union's support for this resolution should not be taken to indicate agreement to the PBIs. The European Union will be able to consider the PBIs for follow-up activity when we see them in the Fifth Committee.

Thank you Mr Chairman.

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• EU Presidency Statement - Commission on Human Rights: Racism  (21/3/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - Elimination of racism and racial discrimination (28/1/2002)
• Conference against Racism in Durban (31/8/2001)