COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS : OBSERVATIONS OF CHAIRMAN ON THE SPECIAL DEBATE ON TOLERANCE AND RESPECT

Commission on Human Rights
57th session
30 March 2001





At the end of the one-day special debate on tolerance and respect, which was organized by the Commission on Human Rights on Monday, 26 March, the Chairman of the Commission, Leandro Despouy, presented his concluding remarks in which he said that this debate had shown that it was possible to discuss sensitive issues in a positive and constructive manner.

As the international community was preparing for the World Conference against Racism, which would be held from 30 August to 7 September in Durban, South Africa, the Chairman underlined the importance of turning the World Conference into an opportunity to make concrete progress for humanity as far as its culture was concerned. All the Member States of the Commission, non-member States and non-governmental organizations had been allowed to take the floor without any time constraints imposed on them, Mr. Despouy added. Each of the speakers who had taken the floor had taught the Commission interesting things.

The Chairman of the Commission effusively praised the statement by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, which he said had been of great value. Archbishop Tutu had said that human beings were created with different gifts which complemented each other so that they could live in mutual interdependence. He had said that carrying out evil harmed not just the victim but also the perpetrator as he or she was dehumanised. These words had come from the mouth of a man who had been a victim of apartheid, yet who preached forgiveness for tormentors as nursing grudges, hostility and retribution were corrosive, Mr. Despouy noted. Archbishop Tutu had recalled that it was thanks to the support of the international community that apartheid had been abolished and that Nelson Mandela had become a free man. Archbishop Tutu had also urged that it was possible to dream the dream of God, before adding that it was even possible to dream that Israelis and Palestinians would one day live in peace. Concerning the question of compensation and reparation for victims of discrimination and racism, Archbishop Tutu said that this was related to other spiritual themes such as truth and reconciliation and that one could pardon beforehand knowing the sins of others.

Commenting on the statement by Aden Ridgweay, the Australian Senator, the Chairman of the Commission said that he had spoken about the fight for the rights of aboriginals, present and past, adding that tolerance and respect required understanding and acceptance. Mr. Ridgeway had also spoken about the difficulties encountered in trying to ensure equality for aboriginals, as well as underlining the necessity of adopting the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Chairman noted that the problem was not in essence defining the rights of indigenous peoples, but the effective implementation of these rights. There was also a need to change the attitudes of the different parties, rather than creating new norms. The Chairman said Mr. Ridgeway had also insisted on the necessity to promote and enhance the capabilities of the indigenous populations which had suffered, and to ensure their integration into society. He had also pointed out the value of the cultural identity of each person.

The Mufti of Marseille, Sheikh Sahib Ben Sheikh, had spoken about the development of a new standard of ethics in the world which was based on law, in addition to common religious ethics, Mr. Despouy continued. He had expressed his conviction of the necessity to promote an inter-religious dialogue at the international level.

The Chairman also recalled that during the special debate, Nafis Sadik, Special Advisor and Under-Secretary-General, had talked about the difficulties and obstacles involving the question of discrimination against women. She had noted that women suffered disproportionately during conflicts caused by ethnic and sectarian intolerance and religious extremism. Mrs. Sadik had also said that the vulnerable situation of women was also aggravated by extreme poverty and when women were refugees, displaced persons or migrants, Mr. Despouy said.

Dominique Peccoud, Special Advisor for External Relations and Partnership at the International Labour Office, had pointed the attention of the audience to the problems of migrants, Mr. Despouy continued to state. Mr. Peccoud had spoken about the need to recognize the human dignity and the contributions of immigrants in host countries. He had also stressed the importance of States ratifying ILO Conventions related to migrants, the Chairman added.

Cecilia Braslavsky, the Managing Director of the International Office on Education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), had analysed the question of discrimination, especially instigation to discrimination in education programmes, and had spoken about how this could trigger intolerance and the disrespect ensuing therefrom. She said development would only be possible if there was a powerful alliance between all sectors in society -- schools, media, religion, business and families, Mr. Despouy noted.

In conclusion, the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights underlined that not only did discrimination constitute an inequality, but it also opened the way to other violations. He highlighted the precarious conditions of the victims of discrimination. The violation of one human right automatically triggered the violation of other fundamental rights, starting a vicious circle of violations of human rights.



* *** *