On November 5, 2024, Counsellor Mrs. Marissa del Rosario Blackett delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on the topic of Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance.
The session opened with a presentation by Ms. Ashwani K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. In her report, Ms. Ashwani highlighted a significant global shortfall in understanding, awareness, and the adoption of special measures aimed at addressing these issues. She underscored the critical role such measures play in advancing substantive equality and ensuring equitable representation.
Ms. Ashwani emphasised that implementing special measures is a concrete obligation under international human rights law. She noted that these measures are essential to addressing systemic racial inequalities, particularly those rooted in historical injustices such as enslavement, colonialism, and apartheid.
The Special Rapporteur urged member states to improve the design and application of special measures by relying on a robust understanding of systemic racism, historical discrimination, and disaggregated data. She emphasised the importance of involving intended beneficiaries in the design process and stressed that such measures must address intersectional discrimination and operate alongside broader anti-racism and equality efforts.
Ms. Ashwani also called on member states to implement monitoring systems to ensure the effective application of special measures and to prevent their premature withdrawal. She advocated for building awareness of systemic racial inequalities and their root causes, emphasising the role of special measures in addressing the legacies of historical injustices and fostering meaningful representation and diversity.
In concluding her remarks, the Special Rapporteur urged member states to expand efforts in education and public awareness campaigns to combat racist stereotypes and promote diversity.
In her statement, Counsellor Blackett highlighted the challenges faced by the Roma communities in Europe, the continent’s largest minority group, comprising about 12 million people. She noted that, despite being predominantly sedentary and deeply rooted in their countries, the Roma are often marginalised, living in poverty and facing racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, adding that only 25% of Roma youth graduate high school, and over 70% of Roma live in poverty in one of the world’s wealthiest regions.
Counsellor Blackett spoke on how the Sovereign Order of Malta has prioritised the welfare of the Roma people. Since appointing an Ambassador at large for the Roma in 2013, the Order has launched initiatives to support Roma integration into European civil society. This has included establishing 25 Roma centers across countries like Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, with plans for more. Counsellor Blackett noted that the programs focus on education, health, community integration, and social activities, fostering hope and progress within Roma communities.
Counsellor Blackett also emphasised the need for systemic change to address the Roma’s economic and social challenges, which stem from entrenched discrimination and historical exclusion. While some governments and organisations have initiated policies to improve Roma integration, she said, progress has been slow. Counsellor Blackett called for stronger anti-discrimination enforcement, increased investment in Roma-specific programs, and societal efforts to combat prejudice. She commended the EU Roma Strategic Framework 2020–2030 and sought further action to encourage meaningful change and inclusivity.
