United Nations, March 22 (RHC) -- Cuba has expressed its concern at the UN General Assembly about the rise in racism and xenophobia in many parts of the world.

At a session for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Cuban Permanent Representative Ana Silvia Rodríguez warned that this scenario is manifested through the emergence of political parties with a racist platform, the persistence of the socially excluded, and the marginalization of peoples, ethnic groups and minorities.

The diplomat drew attention to the use of racial profiling by authorities, and immigration laws that discriminate on the basis of race, religion and nationality, as well as an increase in overtly racist behavior -- which is becoming "fashionable" in the United States and Europe.