22 July 1993

40th plenary meeting

Third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1992/13 of 20 July 1992,

Reaffirming the purpose set forth in the Charter of the United Nations of achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recalling that in resolution 1992/13, the Council requested the Secretary-

General to prepare a draft programme of action for the third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination and to submit it to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session, taking into account, inter alia, the elements of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade that had not yet been fully implemented,

Recalling that the General Assembly, in resolution 47/77 of 16 December 1992, took note of the report of the Secretary-General and requested him to submit to the General Assembly, at its forty-eighth session, a new draft programme of action for the third decade,

Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade,

Convinced that it is necessary that the General Assembly proclaim in 1993 a third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination as a means of intensifying national and international efforts in this field,

Taking into account the progress made towards building a democratic and united South Africa not based on racial prejudice,

Emphasizing that it is the responsibility of the Government of South Africa to take all necessary measures to stop immediately the violence in that country and to protect the life and property of all South Africans,

Emphasizing also the need for all parties to cooperate in combating violence and to exercise restraint,

Bearing in mind the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution S-16/1 of 14 December 1989 and contained in the annex thereto,

Deeply concerned about the prevalence of racism and racial tensions, as well as of the rising tide of xenophobia,

Stressing the need to continue the coordination of activities undertaken by various United Nations bodies and specialized agencies for the purpose of implementing the Programme of Action for the Second Decade,

1. Declares that all forms of racism and racial discrimination, particularly in their institutionalized forms, such as apartheid, or resulting from official doctrines of racial superiority or exclusivity, are among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world and must be combated by all available means;

2. Recommends that the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session proclaim a third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, in preparing the draft programme of action for the third decade, to accord the highest priority to activities aiming at monitoring the transition from apartheid to a non-racist society in South Africa;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to take into account the results of the World Conference on Human Rights and the discussion held during the substantive session of 1993 of the Economic and Social Council in the preparation of the programme of action for the third decade;

5. Considers that voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination are indispensable for the implementation of the above-mentioned programmes;

6. Calls upon the international community to provide the Secretary-

General with appropriate financial resources for efficient action against racism and racial discrimination;

7. Decides to accord the highest priority to the agenda item entitled "Implementation of the programme of action for the third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination".