3 Jul 2012

GENEVA / RACISM

A rise in extremist groups and political parties that exploit extremist platforms is posing a danger to democratic processes, the UN human rights expert on racism has told the UN Human Rights Council.CH UNTV

Posted at: July 3, 2012 3:41 pm

Duration: 01:34

Available in: SD

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STORY: GENEVA / RACISM
TRT: 1.34
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 15 JUNE 2012, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior Palais Wilson

15 JUNE 2012, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Med shot, Special Rapporteur on racial discrimination Mutuma Ruteere walking
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mutuma Ruteere, UN Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance:
"The focus in this particular report is we're highlighting the danger that these groups, movements, and parties are posing to democratic processes. The fact that you have these parties that are using extremist ideologies participating in the political process is leading to a certain distortion of the democratic process, introducing a certain harmful effect."

FILE – RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

4. Wide shot, exterior Palais Wilson

15 JUNE 2012, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mutuma Ruteere, UN Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance:
"One critical recommendation is the need for prompt investigations, prompt attention and investigations and prosecution of individuals and incidents of racist violence and racist attacks. We are also recommending the need to put in place effective legislation to address this problem. We are also recommending that political parties and political leaders have responsibilities to denounce extremist agendas, and to refrain from mobilizing on these particular platforms."

FILE – RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

6. Wide shot, exterior Palais Wilson

STORYLINE:

In a recent interview, Mutuma Ruteere spoke about his report as the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which he presented to the Human Rights Council today (3 July).

The Special Rapporteur warned that the growing participation of extremist groups, movements, and parties in the political process was "distorting" the democratic process.

He expressed concern that extremist groups are also having an effect on human rights particularly by targeting racial minorities, with racist, xenophobic and intolerant acts continuing to be perpetrated against people of African descent and members of minorities such as the Roma, foreign students, Jews, Muslims and migrants.

Ruteere called on States to promptly investigate and prosecute racist violence and attacks. He said legislation should be put into place to address the problem of extremism, and urged political parties and leaders to denounce extremist agendas.

Filed under UNCHR - United Nations Commission on Human Rights.