Mission to Spain by UN expert on racism

GENEVA / MADRID (17 January 2013) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on racism, Mutuma Ruteere, will carry out an official visit to Spain from 21 to 28 January 2013, to gather first-hand information on the situation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

“During my mission to Spain, I will pay attention to the situation of specific groups often on the margins such as the Roma, non-citizens, migrants including irregular migrants, asylum seekers and others particularly with a focus on the impact of the current economic crisis in Spain on these groups and the Spanish society at large,” said the independent expert, launching his first country mission to Spain.

“I will examine the existing challenges to the elimination of racism in Spain and seek to engage constructively with the Government on possible ways of ensuring successful implementation of laws, policies and measures undertaken in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as to identify good practices,” he stressed.

The Special Rapporteur’s visit will take him to Madrid, Barcelona, Almeria, Ceuta and Melilla where he will meet with representatives from the Spanish Government both at national and local levels, the legislative and judicial branches, the Ombudsman, and non-governmental organizations, as well as community members and other groups and individuals working in the field of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share his preliminary findings in Madrid on Monday, 28 January 2013, at Hotel NH Paseo del Prado, Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, 4. 28014, at 11.30 am.

The Special Rapporteur findings and recommendations will be reflected in his report to the Human Rights Council in June 2013.

Mr. Mutuma Ruteere (Kenya) was appointed by the Human Rights Council as Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in November 2011. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any Government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. Learn more, visit: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/racism/rapporteur/index.htm

OHCHR Country page – Spain: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/ESIndex.aspx

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Kellie-Shandra Ognimba (+41 79 444 39 93 / kognimba@ohchr.org)
Xabier Celaya (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

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