Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegations,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the group of 77 and China on agenda item 69, "elimination of racism, racial discrimination, and follow-up to the world conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance".

We thank the Secretary-General for his report which will add value to our discussion on this item, and also the Group would like to welcome Mr. Githu Muigai, the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance. We thank him for his interim report, which was submitted to the General Assembly in pursuant to Assembly resolution 63/242, and for his presentation today.

The Group77 and China reaffirms that the international convention on the Elimination of all forms of racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) remain the bases and fundamental legal framework for the effective elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The Group reiterates that slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, apartheid, colonialism and genocide must never be forgotten and in this regard welcomes actions undertaken to honour the memory of victims.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the progress made at the national, regional and international levels in conformity with the obligations and commitments of Durban.

The Group of 77 and China recalls the Assembly's resolution 63/242 in which the Assembly emphasized that it is the responsibility of States to adopt effective measures to combat criminal acts motivated by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including measures to ensure that such motivations are considered an aggravating factor for the purposes of sentencing, to prevent those crimes from going unpunished and to ensure the rule of law. We are encouraged by those Governments that have adopted, since the Durban World conference, important legislative and administrative measures to combat racism.

We are still concerned that there has been a diminishing of civil liberties and an intensification of racial profiling since the tragedy of 11 September 2001.  We are alarmed at these assaults on human rights and a resurgence of violent incidents of racism.  Moreover, we are seriously concerned at the negative stereotyping of religions and the increase in incidents related to religious hatred.  We note, however, the decisive steps taken by Member States, the United Nations system and the international community at large to oppose religious intolerance and to enhance dialogue with the aim of understanding and promoting tolerance and full respect of cultural and religious diversity.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the adoption of the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference earlier this year which constituted a unique opportunity to rebuild strong international consensus and mark the renewal of international engagement in the struggle against racism racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Review Conference should be seen as the beginning of a new era in which international efforts are mobilized with solid determination to eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all parts of the world, including all those under foreign occupation  

The G77 and China is pleased that the outcome document was adopted consensually by all participants' states. The Group hopes that the momentum gained by the Durban Review Process will retain its strength. The Group strongly believes that the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference, creates further impetus for the accelerated implementation by States and other actors of the laudable objectives encapsulated in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Together with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action these two documents, the outcome document provides the most comprehensive framework for addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that the pledges and commitments made in the outcome document must be effectively implemented by all States, which retain the primary responsibility in this respect.

The Group of 77 and China, regrets that some states had decided not participate in the Review Conference. The Group wishes that the position of these countries be revised in the near future.

Mr. Chairman,

Finally, the Group of 77 and China acknowledges the need to enhance further the effectiveness of the regional and international mechanisms dealing with or addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, with a view to achieving better synergy, coordination, coherence and complementarity in their work. The Group calls on the United Nations system, in particular the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat, to undertake effective media campaigns to enhance the visibility of the message of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and its follow-up mechanisms.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.