The APF and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) convened the international conference “Combating Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia: Ensuring the Human Rights of Migrants” in Seoul on 21 October, co-hosting with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea. The conference marked the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, bringing together governments, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), UN experts, civil society and migrant communities to look at how the international community can respond jointly, so that migrants’ rights are protected in practice.

The conference took a hard look at what has changed since Durban, and what has not. The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Ms. Ashwini K.P, in her keynote address, set out global trends and challenges, and stressed that States must step up their efforts to eliminate racial discrimination and expand international cooperation. The APF’s Chairperson, Ms Samar Haj Hassan addressed the conference, underlining the importance of this agenda for APF’s members across the Asia Pacific.

Discussions focused on the structural causes of discrimination. Participants compared experiences in Europe, Asia and Korea. The EU’s new anti-racism strategy for 2026 to 2030 underlined that policies must be effectively implemented, with accountability at both national and local levels of government. In Korea, speakers pointed to the limits of the current framework, and to the need for a comprehensive anti-discrimination law and for effective responses to hate speech.

The conference also heard from those affected. Migrant workers, migrant women and young people with a migrant background described the discrimination and hostility they face, and a discussion of a long-running dispute over the construction of a mosque in Daegu highlighted the responsibility of local governments in resolving conflict and xenophobia within communities.

Looking forward, participants considered the roles of the international community, governments, parliaments, NHRIs and civil society. The new Joint General Comment and General Recommendation on eradicating xenophobia towards migrants, adopted by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on Migrant Workers, was highlighted, together with the need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and effective implementation of international standards. Speakers called for migrant policy to move from support towards guaranteeing rights, with shared responsibility between central and local governments.

NHRIs have a distinct part to play. The conference emphasised that this goes beyond remedying individual violations: NHRIs can identify structural discrimination, push for better policies and monitor how they are implemented. As independent institutions grounded in domestic law and connected to international standards, they can also ensure that migrants’ voices reach those who shape policy.

The NHRCK has said it will use the conference’s views and policy challenges to continue working for legal and institutional reform and stronger international cooperation. For the APF, the conference is part of a wider commitment to supporting its members as they respond to racism and xenophobia across the region. The APF thanks the NHRCK and the EU Delegation for the continued partnership.