racism

Ralph Bunche (USA, 1904 - 1971) – UN official, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
UN Photo

From one anti-racism trailblazer to another: Andrew Young remembers Ralph Bunche

31 August 2021
Human Rights

Andrew Young, the first African American ambassador to the UN, has earned his place in history, but he credits another African American pioneer, Ralph Bunche, as his inspiration. Bunche, who died 50 years ago, was the first person of African descent to win the Nobel Peace Prize and played a major role in the early days of the UN.

Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa speaks at the General Assembly’s informal plenary meeting for Nelson Mandela International Day.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Nelson Mandela: 'Synonymous with the fight for justice and equality'

21 July 2021
Human Rights

Celebrating what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 102nd birthday on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief hailed the man who led the struggle that ended the racist apartheid system in his native South Africa as exemplifying “courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice and equality”.   

Nelson Mandela International Day recognizes his struggle for democracy and a culture of peace throughout the world.
Unsplash/John-Paul Henry

Call for ‘dignity, equality, justice and human rights’ rings out on Mandela Day 

18 July 2021
Human Rights

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of “a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice and human rights”, the UN chief said on Sunday.  

New York City Police Officers look on as protests are under way against racism and police violence after the death of George Floyd.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

UN rights office highlights policing reforms to address systemic racism 

28 June 2021
Human Rights

Radical policing reforms are needed to address systemic racism affecting people of African descent around the world, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Monday, as her Office published a series of recommendations prompted by the killing of George Floyd. 

Humanitarians and global leaders in Artificial Intelligence (AI) attended the AI for Good Global Summit held in Geneva in May 2018 (file photo).)
ITU/D. Procofieff

Independent rights expert says emerging technologies entrenching racism, discrimination

15 July 2020
Human Rights

An independent UN human rights expert is calling for greater scrutiny of emerging digital technologies which she said are being used to uphold racial inequality, discrimination and intolerance.

Protesters in McCarren Park in Brooklyn observe 20 minutes of silence for those who have died from racist actions.
© Sarah Scaffidi

Human Rights Council picks up again after COVID suspension, to hold racism debate

15 June 2020
Human Rights

After a three month long COVID-19-enforced break, the Human Rights Council resumed on Monday, giving the green light to a rare Urgent Debate on racism, alleged police brutality and violence against protesters sickened by the killing of American George Floyd in police custody.

Young women from the Caribbean island of Dominica.
UNDPLAC

UN human rights chief: racism and xenophobia are ‘contagious killers’ too

13 March 2020
Human Rights

The coronavirus outbreak may have forced millions around the world already into “social distancing”, keeping a metre apart to prevent its spread, but it will not stop them from uniting to combat racism, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights declared in Geneva on Friday. 

Students watch a performance by their peers at Barros Barreto School, in Salvador, Brazil. The performance tackled social issues such as racism and gender discrimination.. Photo: UNICEF/Claudio Versiani
UNICEF/Claudio Versiani

Marking international day, UN experts call for urgent action to end racial discrimination, in wake of New Zealand anti-Muslim attack

21 March 2019
Human Rights

States must take urgent action, to “stem the tide of hate and discrimination” and ramping up of “ethno-nationalist populism”, which helped fuel the deadly shootings in two New Zealand mosques last Friday by a self-declared white supremacist, several top UN officials and human rights experts have stressed, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.