Strasbourg, 21 October 2013 - “Racism, xenophobia and the various manifestations of intolerance and discrimination have been the downfall of Europe in the past. We must not underestimate their power to damage our continent today”, this was the message delivered today by Secretary General Jagland in Yerevan at the opening of a high-level conference on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Europe.

The event is an initiative of the Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, bringing together state representatives, governmental, international and independent experts, representatives of international organisations and civil society.

Participants have the opportunity to reflect upon racism and xenophobia in political discourse, the role of human rights institutions in combating racial and ethnic discrimination as well as topics related to combating hate speech and racial stereotypes on social networks and media.
 

Speech by the Secretary General

Speech by Edward Nalbandian

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Armenia and the Council of Europe