Objectives

The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, will report to the Human Rights Council for the first time at its 53rd session, in June 2023, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 43/36. Her first thematic report will outline the strategic vision for the fulfillment of her mandate.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

The Special Rapporteur would appreciate written submissions from a range of stakeholders, including States, civil society organizations and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on the following topics:

• The key trends in racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that have been observed in recent years, including any intersections with developments in information technology, migration, climate change, inequality and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Developments that have been made at the national level to conceptualise, address and remedy systemic forms of racism.
• The ways in which the Special Rapporteur’s mandate can contribute most effectively to addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including systemic forms of such discrimination.
• Efforts made to address racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including systemic racial discrimination, and the ways in which the Special Rapporteur can disseminate such good practices and lessons learnt. 
• How the Special Rapporteur can elucidate the links between past systemic harms, particularly colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, and contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
• How the Special Rapporteur can work toward developing supporting support for the implementation of the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).
• How the Special Rapporteur can work together most effectively with other racial justice mechanisms, including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; the Working Group on People of African Descent; the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement, as well as other relevant actors across the UN system.

Secure Submissions

If you have concerns about digital security and your submission, you may wish to contact organizations that can provide you with information and support. One such organization, Access Now, has a free digital security helpline to help keep individuals and organizations safe online. Inquiries can be sent to help@accessnow.org.

Public Availability of Submissions

Submissions will be posted on the OHCHR website at the time of the report's publication, unless there is a clear request for them not to be made public.