The General Assembly,
Recalling the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Reaffirming its conviction that any doctrine of superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and that there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere,
Reaffirming also its conviction that discrimination between human beings on the grounds of race, colour, religion or ethnic origin is an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among nations and is capable of disturbing peace and security among peoples and the harmony of persons living side by side even within the same State,
Convinced that the existence of racial and ethnic barriers is repugnant to the ideals of any human society, and aware of the need to strengthen efforts to eliminate all forms of racial hatred,
Alarmed by the fact that, notwithstanding the efforts of the international community to eradicate them, there are still in many parts of the world manifestations of racial discrimination that are encouraged by a philosophy of racial superiority or hatred,
Deeply alarmed by policies and practices of "ethnic cleansing", which foster hatred and violence, wherever they occur,
Noting the importance of respecting the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities,
Reaffirming its resolution 46/242 of 25 August 1992, in which it states that the abhorrent practice of "ethnic cleansing" constitutes a grave and serious violation of international humanitarian law,
1. Condemns unreservedly "ethnic cleansing" and acts of violence arising from racial hatred;
2. Strongly rejects policies and ideologies aimed at promoting racial hatred and "ethnic cleansing" in any form;
3. Reaffirms that "ethnic cleansing" and racial hatred are totally incompatible with universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms;
4. Reiterates its conviction that those who commit or order the commission of acts of "ethnic cleansing" are individually responsible and should be brought to justice;
5. Demands that all those who commit or order acts of "ethnic cleansing" put an end to them immediately;
6. Calls upon all States to cooperate in eliminating all forms of "ethnic cleansing" and racial hatred.
89th plenary meeting
16 December 1992
