UN expert on racism visits Argentina

GENEVA (13 May 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on racism, Mutuma Ruteere, will carry out an official visit to Argentina from 16 to 23 May to gather first-hand information on the situation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the country.

“During my mission to Argentina, I will pay special attention to the situation of historically discriminated groups including indigenous populations, people of African descent, migrants and other vulnerable groups,” Mr. Ruteere said. “I will also assess the trends, manifestations and scope of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the country.” 

The independent expert, who visits Argentina at the invitation of the Government, will survey existing provisions and measures in place to fight discrimination based on prejudice, and assess the existing challenges to its elimination, while focusing on the implementation of laws, policies and measures undertaken in this regard.     

“I will seek to engage constructively with the Argentinian Government on possible ways of ensuring the successful protection, promotion and fulfilment of the rights of the vulnerable groups,” Special Rapporteur stated.

Mr. Ruteere’s mission will take him to Buenos Aires, La Plata, Salta and Formosa, where he will meet with Government representatives both at federal and provincial level, the legislative and judicial branches, non-governmental organizations, victims as well as community members and other individuals working in the field of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The human rights expert will hold a press conference to share his preliminary findings in Buenos Aires, on Monday 23 May 2016, at the United Nations Information Center for Uruguay and Argentina, Junin 1940, 1st floor, Buenos Aires, at 12h30 p.m. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

The Special Rapporteur findings and recommendations will be reflected in his report to the Human Rights Council in June 2017.

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 part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.  Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-racism

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Argentina:  http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/argentina

For further information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva (before and after the visit):
Yaye Ba (+41229179210 / yba@ohchr.org) or write to racism@ohchr.org.

In Buenos Aires (during the visit):
Gustavo Poch (+54 011 48010155) or Yaye Ba (+41 079-221 8074/ yba@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)  

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