United Kingdom Explanation of Vote on a Resolution on the Durban Declaration and Program of Action

"There is no doubt that racism is a global scourge that knows no borders and is not limited to any one country. We all have to work to tackle racism. That's why the UK is fully committed to the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance as well as to the promotion and protection of human rights for all without discrimination on any grounds. At home, we will work to create a fair society where all people regardless of ethnic origin or background are valued and able to participate fully. And internationally, we will continue to be one of the strongest advocates for those United Nations mechanisms that help to combat racism.

But while we share the concern of this resolution's cosponsors that we have a long way to go to fully realize our shared ambition of eradicating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, we regret the cosponsor's unwillingness to engage with our input into the text. We had hoped that the cosponsors would take a collaborative approach to reaching consensus, so it is a great pity that our very reasonable suggestions were not taken on board.

These include efforts to streamline the text, to focus on the actual language in the Durban Declaration, which talks about remedies, recourse, redress, and other measures in the context of combating poverty and by social and economic development programs for affected societies, rather than some state's subsequent reinterpretation of those commitments, and to acknowledge the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as the principle international instrument to prevent, combat, and eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.

We have an opportunity to shape the debate on racism at the UN in a way that brings us together rather than dividing us further, an opportunity to forge a collaborative approach as states with civil society for uprooting the evils of violence and discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, or religious identity. And we hope that the cosponsors will seize these opportunities next year, approaching negotiations in a way which recognizes this need for collaboration and consensus."