"While we have come some way in ensuring equality and non-discrimination, there is a resurgence of Xenophobia and discrimination against migrants as well as discrimination on the basis of religion or belief," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay said here yesterday.
Pillay was delivering the second annual lecture of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, named after the South African Indian leader who spent many years on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.
"Racial profiling of communities and groups continues with consequences for the members of particular racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Far too many people are outcast, excluded and abused solely because of their origin or descent.
"Slavery-like conditions and trafficking often have a discriminatory dimension to them.
Racist platforms and racially-charged political discourse are becoming the norm," she said.
Pillay said globalisation often exacerbated many of these trends. "Unequal development increases economic asymmetries and social inequalities within and amongst countries."
She lamented the fact that there was a "regrettable gap" between the commitments made in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action resulting from the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the concrete and effective action actually undertaken.
"When asked what has been done locally and globally in meeting the challenges of building a world free from racism, I reply, simply not enough.
"Furthermore, given the international context and domestic realities, one might get the impression that most of the action of implementing the Durban platform is taking place at the local level rather than at the global level," the UN official said.
Pillay said the factors restricting the advancement of non-racialism include a lack of political will and strong leadership at the national, regional, and international levels.
She also called for anti-discrimination measures taken by governments to be reflected in national budgets and development plans, in their laws and institutions, and in school curricula and educational programmes.
"The effective participation of individuals and groups faced with discrimination in decision-making processes, in the monitoring of public policies, and in the use of existing national protection systems are essential to fighting racism," Pillay said.