GENEVA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A number of countries expressed concern during the three-week UN Human Rights Council session which closed here Friday about what they called a world-wide rise in racism and related intolerance.
Calling for compliance with and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), the speakers said the declaration was the international community's best bulwark against racism, and the only means to combat it at a global level.
Russia cited the recent demonstrations in Charlottesville, United States, and mentioned the worsening situation in the European Union (EU) with the phobia of migrants.
Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, reaffirmed the importance of the DDPA and its outcome document, which it said represented a cornerstone in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
It added that various types of racism and other negative stereotypes on the basis of religion or belief continued to increase the world over, and that states should adopt effective measures to combat this.
On behalf of the African group, Tunisia raised concern at the resurgent manifestations of racism.
Brazil remained deeply concerned that the issue continued to manifest in the form of inequality and disadvantage towards people of African descent.
For China, the DDPA was a "milestone document" of the international community in its fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
In some countries, China said, racism was still very serious, with neo-Nazi forces on the rise.
"Some media disseminated hate speech, causing increased confrontation among different ethnic groups," said China, adding that refugees and migrants were also marginalized in social life, and police violence could be seen against ethnic minorities.
