UN chief calls for unity, action to address racism

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for unity and action to address "the ancient poison of racism," which he said is alive and kicking in every community, society, country and region of the world.



In his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on March 21, Guterres said racism lives on in the legacies of colonialism, enslavement and oppression, which drive so many of the problems today -- from economic, social and political inequality, to discriminatory policies and practices, and to outright conflicts.



"And it spreads via new digital tools and technologies that inundate us with hate speech, perpetuating lies and harmful stereotypes that often spill over into real-world violence and abuse," he warned.



"The antidote is unity and action," the UN chief said, calling on all governments, institutions, businesses and communities to work together to address racism and safeguard the dignity, justice, equality and human rights that belong to every person.