Translated with AI
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that racism remains a global threat and is rapidly spreading in the digital environment. He made this statement in his address marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
At the beginning of his speech, he recalled the Sharpeville tragedy, where on March 21, 1960, police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting apartheid. Sixty-nine people were killed. This event sparked widespread international outcry, and the UN Security Council condemned the actions of the South African government in a resolution. According to Guterres, the memory of this tragedy remains an important symbol in the fight against racism.
The Secretary-General emphasized that racial discrimination is a direct violation of human rights. He noted that racism is not innate, but rather a learned behavior that is widespread and leads to devastating consequences.
According to him, the consequences of racism are still evident in the legacy of slavery, colonialism, and oppression, as well as in economic, social, and political inequality. He added that racism underlies the actions of extremist groups, contributes to the division of society, and deprives people of their human dignity.
The spread of hate in the digital environment is of particular concern, according to the UN chief. He noted that modern technologies facilitate the spread of false perceptions and stereotypes that can lead to violence in real life.
Guterres also expressed concern that racism and xenophobia are increasingly becoming part of political discourse and are being normalized in the public space.
He stressed the need for joint efforts by states, businesses and society to combat racism, calling for the protection of the dignity, rights and sense of belonging of every person.
In her address, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock noted that racism continues to exist in all regions of the world and takes various forms. She noted that it can manifest itself both overtly, through insults, and covertly, under the guise of everyday life and bureaucracy.
She stressed that, regardless of its form, racism leads to destructive consequences for society as a whole.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that despite the formal absence of racial segregation, such divisions persist in people's thinking and lifestyles. He noted that members of various ethnic, religious, and cultural groups continue to face discrimination, stigma, and hatred.
Türk called for people to reconsider their own prejudices, check the facts, and study history and human rights to understand their common humanity and remove existing barriers.
