Madam President,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of Countries.

We echo the concerns expressed by the Special Rapporteur on racism in her report over the disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized racial and ethnic groups.

Almost Twenty years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, instances like the death of George Floyd continue to take place and vulnerable people continue to lose their lives to racism and police brutality. Such deaths are a reminder that chronic and deep-rooted racial discrimination, police brutality and social inequality still exist. The COVID-19 mortality rate of minorities, in particular people of African descent, is disproportionately high in some countries. We also express our deep concern over the health situation of migrants at immigration detention centers in certain countries that reflects a contemporary form of racial discrimination.

We call on all States to comply with their international human rights obligations and take concrete steps to implement the DDPA, in order to eliminate the root causes of racism, racial discrimination and other related human rights violations, and guarantee the legitimate rights of people of African descent and other minorities.

Thank you, Madam President.