ECOSOC Special Meeting
“Reimagining Equality:
Eliminating racism, xenophobia and discrimination for all in the decade of action for the SDGs” 
New York, 18 February 2021

Mr. Chair,

The Holy See is pleased to participate in this special meeting and thanks the ECOSOC President for convening it. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family and underscores that the enjoyment of universal human rights is “without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.[1]

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has made some of the divisions that still plague our societies even more visible. Indeed, Pope Francis has spoken of this as a “crisis in human relationships”[2] undermining respect for human dignity and universal human rights. 

The equal dignity of each person requires us never to turn a blind eye to racism or exclusion, but rather to turn to every person with openness, solidarity, and love.[3] The ongoing disease of racism is a virus that can quickly mutate. “Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think.”[4]

We see that the evil of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination especially effects migrants and refugees. As Pope Francis stated in his encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, “No one will ever openly deny that [they] are human beings, yet in practice, by our decisions and the way we treat them, we can show that we consider them less worthy, less important, less human.”[5] This is unacceptable.  
           
“Fear of the other” (xenophobia) also causes much of the intolerance, violence, and persecution suffered by an increasing number of people on the basis of their religion or belief. Disregard for the right to religious freedom, the “primary and fundamental human right,”[6] has led to individual believers and groups being denied basic rights, imprisoned, tortured, and even murdered because of their faith while perpetrators enjoy impunity. Some religious minorities are even in danger of being entirely extinguished in certain regions, including Christians who represent the most persecuted group globally. 

The international community must together combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination, and the “throw-away” culture they reflect. Only true fraternity can overcome this illness. Just as Pope Francis asserted during the commemoration of the International Day of Human Fraternity, in a very clear and unequivocal way, “There is no time for indifference”– “either we are brothers and sisters, or we destroy [one another].”[7]

Thank you.

[1] Universal Declaration of Human Rights, preamble, art. 4.

[2] Pope Francis, Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 February 2021.

[3] Cf. Pope Francis, General Audience, 3 June 2020. 

[4] Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, n. 20.

[5] Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, n. 39.

[6] Pope Francis, Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 February 2021.

[7] Pope Francis, Video message for the International Day of Human Fraternity, 4 February 20201.