Racism and racial discrimination – CHR 61st session – Press release (excerpts)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS GENERAL DEBATE ON RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Special Rapporteur on Racism, Chairpersons of Working Groups on People of African Descent, Implementation of Durban Programme of Action, Present Reports

The Commission on Human Rights began its general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination this morning, hearing presentations by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, and the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

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General Debate on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and All Forms of Discrimination
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NAJAT AL-HAJJAJI (Libya), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, …

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The Arab Group wished to underscore that the Palestinian people were suffering from the Israeli occupation. The colonialization of the Jewish people and the persecution of the Palestinians had continued. The legislation designed by Israel was against the international law. The law on nationality provided for all Jews arriving in Palestinian to Jewish nationality. This might also be granted even before their arrival to Palestine. Now, Israel had continued to build a wall of separation, which was a sign of discrimination. The Commission should be seized on the issue of Israeli discrimination against the Palestinian people.

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For use of the information media; not an official record