Opinion | Let’s confront, call out, and act against racism – SABC News

By Volker Türk
On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we honour those who fought – and continue fighting – for racial justice, equality, and freedom.
Their resistance has shown the incredible power of solidarity to change our world for the better.
From the adoption of global frameworks to combat racism, to national anti-discrimination laws, and the acknowledgement of historical injustices, we have made progress on the long road towards a more just society.
But we are approaching a checkpoint – a moment when this progress is being questioned, delayed, and even reversed.
This checkpoint was set up by those who thrive on division and polarisation. It is reinforced by discriminatory structures and sustained by the corrosive logic of dehumanisation.
Because while we may no longer segregate people on buses, too often, we still do so in our thinking and our ways of life.
Race remains the most common ground for discrimination globally, causing real pain to millions of people.
Across the world, people of African and Asian descent, Jews, Muslims, Indigenous Peoples, and other ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities continue to be denied their basic rights.
Hate speech is spreading unchecked, including against migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Biased media coverage shapes the geography of our attention. Some countries and regions – some lives – are deemed more worthy of our interest than others.
Those who propagate hatred have clearly succeeded in sowing distrust and chaos in our societies, and this may be good news for them.
But I also have some bad news for these people: humanity’s quest for justice and dignity is unshakeable. It is intrinsic to who we are, and it will always prevail over delusional supremacist ideas.
Today, we owe all those who gave their lives for equality and human rights nothing less than an all-out effort to safeguard this progress.
And this starts with political will. The will to fight racial discrimination through laws, empathy, and accountability.
The will to work together with civil society and affected communities to find lasting solutions. The will to regulate business activities and make online spaces safer.
The will to reform outdated political and economic systems still based on colonialism and exploitation.
The will to match racial justice with climate justice for communities that contributed least to climate change but are paying the heaviest price. Racism is not only unjust and unlawful; it is morally and intellectually bankrupt.
By questioning our assumptions, verifying facts, and learning about history and human rights, we can see through the tactics of distraction and recognise our shared humanity.
Together, let’s confront, call out, and act against racism every time.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

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