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COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES DEBATE ON RACISM
30 March 1999
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MORNING
HR/CN/99/12
30 March 1999
Discussion Centres on Preparations for the World Conference Against
Racism; Speakers Warn that Discrimination and Xenophobia are Increasing
The Commission on Human Rights this morning continued its debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.
During the discussion, many speakers pledged to support the planned World Conference against Racism and to make it effective. Many underscored the need for tangible, enforceable measures to result from this Conference.
Most delegates cited the efforts made in their own countries against racism and racial intolerance. Among the possible measures identified to fight discrimination were programmes to educate and sensitize the public to racial issues, the use of the media, the use of the Internet, and the institution of governmental bodies to oversee and enforce measures to curb racial injustices.
The need to cooperate with other countries on a regional basis in curbing racial discrimination and associated abuses was underscored. Germany, on behalf of the European Union, cited efforts by the European Union including the Amsterdam Treaty to enhance the competence of the 15 Member States in the prevention of racism and in the enforcement of legislation enacted to curb it.
Many cited cases of abuses against ethnic minorities as evidence that racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia was on the increase. The delegate of Bangladesh cited the current situation in Kosovo as an example ofextreme abuse. The Czech Republic delegate cited discrimination against the Roma peoples and his country’s own efforts against these discriminatory practices. The Norwegian delegate called on the need to focus on discriminatory practices affecting children since they represented not only the future but also the nation's conscience. And the delegate of Cuba said Neo-Nazi and related movements were becoming more prominent in several industrialized countries where their extremist and xenophobic ideas were circulating, poisoning minds and influencing political parties.
Speaking at this morning's session were representatives of Cuba, Spain, Germany, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Guatemala, China, the Czech Republic, the United States of America, Romania, Norway, Sri Lanka, Latvia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Argentina, the Russian Federation, Sudan, the Philippines, Ecuador, Senegal, and Poland.
The Commission will resume its discussion on racism at 3 p.m. today.
Statements
WILHELM HOYNCK (Germany), on behalf of the European Union, said the central and eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus believed diversity was one of the foundations on which the European Union had been built. Racism, xenophobia and intolerance were the antithesis of what the project of the European Union meant in its essence.
It was within the responsibility of States to guarantee all human rights to all persons within their jurisdiction and to protect them from any kind of discrimination, Mr. Hoynck said. The implementation of international obligations was the best way to guarantee that their legal systems and administrative practices were clearly anti-discriminatory. In addition, awareness raising and education were needed to counter racist attitudes.
Mr. Hoynck said that one of the goals of the United Nations was to promote universal respect for human rights for all, without any distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnic origin. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted more than 30 years ago. The fact that 150 States had ratified this Convention underlined its significance. The goal remained the universal ratification of or accession to this Convention. Such an achievement was an important aim of the upcoming World Conference against Racism.
The European Union was determined to combat racism, xenophobia and intolerance through the national policies of the 15 Member States and through action at the community level. The Amsterdam Treaty, which was expected to enter into force very soon, would enhance the Union's competence in all areas of activity including the prevention of and fight against racism and in the field of political and judicial cooperation. The Union had drawn up in 1998 a comprehensive action plan for combatting racism within its Member States.
AKRAM ZAKI (Pakistan) said his country strongly denounced racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations; the concept of discrimination and intolerance on the basis of race, colour, belief, or ethnicity was abhorrent to the precepts of Islam, which preached respect for human dignity, equality, and brotherhood; these principles were enshrined in Pakistan's Constitution. Unfortunately, new forms of racism and racial discrimination had raised their ugly heads in many countries and today millions of human beings continued to be victims of discrimination. The perpetrators of crimes of discrimination and genocide in Kosovo and elsewhere continued to try the patience of the international community; in general there were growing instances of discrimination against Muslim minorities in several countries of the world; many innocent lives had been lost in attacks prompted by racial or religious hatred against Muslims. The upcoming World Conference against Racism should address the root causes of the problem
.
IFTEKHAR AHMED CHOWDHRY (Bangladesh) cited the tragedy of the Kosovar Albanians in the Balkans as an example of the resurgence of xenophobia directed against minorities and foreigners and ethnic cleansing which continued to exist in the world today. There should be universal adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Bangladesh pledged to promote this Convention and called on effective enforcement of legislation and moral commitments in the fight against racism and its related issues.
The decision of the General Assembly to follow-up on the declaration of the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the observance of the year 2001 as the International Year for Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was to be applauded. Bangladesh strongly supported the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and contributions from non-governmental actors were called upon to help pay for the preparatory process and the Conference itself.
A. GOPINATHAN (India) said racism was taking increasingly violent forms and xenophobia was finding reflection in national legislation relating to the right to asylum and the free movement of persons; legislation to combat racism remained weak or inadequately enforced in many countries. Also disturbing was the concept of "regional fortresses" bolstered by political accords between groups of nations which created a climate and a perception that foreigners were adversaries, rivals, or competitors and were a threat to local prosperity, culture, and identity. The upcoming World Conference against Racism must reaffirm the commitment of the international community to the principles of multi-culturalism and tolerance and reaffirm that diversity and pluralism enriched societies rather than undermined them. The Programme of Action of the Third Decade against Racism must be re-energized and adequately funded from the United Nations regular budget; and the World Conference must lead to a renewal of a global commitment to address the problem of racial discrimination.
SIPHO GEORGE NENE (South Africa) said his country had learnt a bitter lesson that racial segregation and racial oppression could only be a recipe for disaster and economic ruin. The reconstruction and development currently underway in South Africa were among the many approaches which the present Government had adopted to redress the legacies of the past regimes. South Africa was doing its best to heal the deep wounds of its racial past.
Mr. Nene said the World Conference against Racism alone could not resolve all the problems of racism, facing the world today unless it was backed by strong national commitments, appropriate national legislation and education campaigns. The international community needed to act now and deal with the Internet being used as a tool for promoting hatred and racist propaganda. There was a need for active participation of non-governmental organizations and civil society in this process. In December 1998, South Africa had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Mr. Nene said that during the past year, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, had visited South Africa. His report would be given the highest priority by the Government which shared the Special Rapporteur’s concerns about the unprecedented rise in xenophobic sentiment. The Government was ashamed of the increasingly inhospitable, brutal welcome accorded to refugees and migrants arriving on the shores of South Africa.
LUIS PADILLA MENENDEZ (Guatemala), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, said further financial resources must be allocated to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, as it was clear that problems in the field were extensive and disturbing. The Group attached great importance, furthermore, to the actions of the Working Group and Preparatory Committee in advance of the World Conference against Racism; the Working Group should focus above all on matters of procedure, while not of course ignoring issues of substance; it was necessary to prepare the way for a successful World Conference. The Conference should produce a declaration, a programme of action, and a follow-up mechanism that had concrete recommendations for steps to be taken at national, regional, and international levels. Attention should be paid in the results of the Conference to, among other things, matters of globalization and their effects on racial equality, matters of population movements and their ramifications on racism, and the role of media, including the Internet, in the field.
YU WENZHE (China) said that for decades the international community, represented by the United Nations, had carried out an unremitting struggle against racism and racial discrimination to make equality a common principle. There was a new form of racism and racial discrimination that now existed. These trends of xenophobia, new fascism and new Nazism were becoming increasingly serious in many countries since peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America had freed themselves from colonial rule.
The World Conference against Racism which would be organized by the United Nations would enable Member States to study and review the efforts against the new forms of racism. It would also enable States to put an end to gross violations of human rights which was a priority of the United Nations. All countries should adopt political, economic, legal, educational and other measures to remove the causes of this new racism and racial discrimination and to earnestly tackle their respective problems so as to achieve fundamental freedoms in the real sense. China was ready to join all other delegations to work for the success of the World Conference and to make unremitting efforts to turn the twenty-first century into an era which was free from racism and racial discrimination.
MIROSLAV SOMOL (the Czech Republic) cited the country’s support for current international efforts against all forms of racial discrimination, including the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo. The Czech Republic admitted the need for improvements at home and cited efforts against racism regarding the Roma minority in the country.
Numerous measures had been instituted to combat racial discrimination including, among others, amendments to the criminal code, improvements against discrimination in access to employment, the creation of the post of Government Commissioner for Human Rights, and the establishment of a Council on Human Rights. The Government had donated 10 million Czech Crowns for the eradication of racism. Prevention was focused on education and media efforts. The World Conference against Racism should be supported and the need to be practically oriented was underscored. The Czech Republic was preparing a project to further promote the emancipation of the Roma community and called on inspiration in this field from other countries within the region.
CARLA ARRANAGA (the United States) said the country had come a long way in 220 years; many a generation had slaved and toiled and died to bring about change in the way Americans viewed race and civil liberty, but today protection at local, state and federal levels which were afforded to all Americans were among the most extensive in the world. Still, racial, religious, and ethnic prejudice was deeply embedded in every culture; at its worst, such prejudice could fuel hatreds that could poison entire regions. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Rwanda, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sudan, the names themselves cried out, synonymous with senseless slaughter, ethnic cleansing, rape, and destruction. How many more would die before the world learned to take effective measures to prevent such tragedies? A number of initiatives had been taken in the United States, including community strategies and networks to address hate crimes and develop preventative strategies to educate children and others in tolerance; to develop respect for different backgrounds and points of view; to heal the wounds suffered by victims of hate crimes; and to establish legal bases to combat and reduce racism.
ALEXANDER FARCAS (Romania) said his country attached great importance to international cooperation for the promotion and respect of human rights. The elimination of racial discrimination based on colour, race, or ethnic origin should be the priority of every country. Racial discrimination had become extremely serious and more intolerant. In most cases, States had been taking measures to punish the most outstanding of these problems. These measures were as important as the role played by national and international organizations in combatting racism and racial discrimination. Romania was involved in public information activities to eliminate racial discrimination. Freedom of expression should not take priority over peace. The upcoming World Conference against Racism should be planned and organized to show a general awareness of the problem and there was a need to act on effects and causes of racism and racial discrimination and to promote cooperation between international organizations. Specific measures should be taken at the level of education and many non-governmental organizations had developed valuable programmes.
TANJA HEGGE (Norway) welcomed the World Conference against Racism and stated that it would be valuable at all national, regional and international levels. The issues of racial intolerance and discrimination toward national minorities, children and young people, ethnic and racial discrimination, and racism in everyday life were high on Norway’s agenda. It had formulated an Action Plan for 1998-2001 to prevent racism and discrimination.
Norway supported the World Conference against Racism and welcomed the preparatory work by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms. Hegge also cited the efforts of the Council of Europe to fight racism in Europe. Norway underscored the objective to provide practical recommendations and to develop best practices in the search for prevention. The Government was actively seeking co-operation with other countries in addressing racist attitudes and intolerance. Norway’s priority commitment was to the prevention of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance toward children who were not only the future but also the nation’s conscience.
PRASAD KARIYAWASAM (Sri Lanka) said his country was firmly committed to a world devoid of any form of racial discrimination; nevertheless, like the rest of the world, it was faced with extremist groups that preached dogmas of ethnic exclusivity and racial discrimination; such fringe groups more often resorted to violence and terrorism, and in Sri Lanka's view the upcoming World Conference against Racism should, among other matters, unequivocally condemn terrorism and violence. Abuse of the Internet to propagate hatred was a matter of grave concern, and the issue should be prominent on the agenda of the Conference. One objective of preparations should be universal participation in the Conference; States and civil society should be represented. It also was important to monitor new trends and perceptions, along with new subtle practices of racism that were emerging. The transnational migration of people searching for social and economic emancipation appeared to strain social values and ethics that had been built against racism in many societies; even the so-called advanced societies were buckling under these strains.
RAIMANDS JANSANS (Latvia) said his country joined other nations in promoting the elimination of racial discrimination and xenophobia both domestically and internationally, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 52/111. The ways and means of eliminating racial discrimination in one’s own country should be addressed as a matter of priority. The report by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, on such issues as police violence, anti-Semitism, discrimination against blacks and others was appreciated. This report, as well as the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, would set the proper context for the World Conference against Racism.
Mr. Jansans said in 1998 Latvia had submitted its initial report on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, detailing problems facing Latvia. The Government was aware that the prosperity and development of the country depended on its ability to establish the conditions that sustained a balanced multi-ethnic society. Legislative efforts in his country had led to the elevation of human rights to a constitutional level. A special human rights section in the Constitution of Latvia had been adopted at the end of last year which ensured that all persons in Latvia were equal under the law and their human rights were to be exercised without any kind of discrimination. The Government attached particular importance to the aspects of racism arising from migration and refugee and asylum seeking, which should be properly addressed in the upcoming World Conference.
LUCIA RUSTAM (Indonesia) said her country strived to maintain harmony for the sake of national unity, but its diversity and history of tolerance could not be taken for granted, especially when economic crises hit; in May 1998, riots and looting broke out in many parts of Indonesia; the violence resulted in a number of horrendous human-rights abuses, some with racist connotations; the tragedy was a valuable lesson for Indonesians on how important it was to maintain harmony among the various races. The Government was addressing the root causes of the recent conflicts and measures had been taken immediately to investigate human-rights violations, provide assistance to victims, and prevent recurrences. Among other steps, the Government was reviewing legislation to ensure that all citizens were treated equally before the law, and it had abolished the use of identifying codes on Indonesian Chinese identity cards. Indonesia felt the upcoming World Conference against Racism should formulate recommendations to increase the effectiveness of existing machinery to combat racial discrimination, and also should promote genuine dialogue, mutual understanding, and establishment of a worldwide culture of tolerance.
MAXIME ZAFERA (Madagascar) expressed his concern about the negative conclusions cited in the various reports by the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and others which underlined the continuing and often accelerating existence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.
Madagascar offered its continued support to the World Conference and efforts for the mobilisation of funds toward the ratification of international instruments against racism and the heightening of public awareness of the problem. Its own efforts toward the curbing and eradication of these abuses were detailed, including among others, enacted legislation and institutional bodies in Madagascar aimed at the prevention of abuses and the enforcement of these laws.
PABLO CHELIA (Argentina) said that his country had always maintained education should be the primary pillar through which elimination of discrimination should be promoted. The Government had incorporated in its legislation the principles of respect of rights of man and fundamental freedoms of all the habitants of Argentina. In May 1998, Dinko Sadic and his wife were convicted for war crimes during the Second World War. This reinforced Argentina’s position on the fight against racism. Argentina supported the World Conference against Racism and preparations for it.
YOURI IVANOV (the Russian Federation) said racism and racial discrimination continued to be a worldwide problem; with a unique capacity for mutation, racism was finding new forms; hence efforts to combat it had to change, too. The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms racism, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, had not dealt in his report with those countries that had failed to submit reports as required of States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. New forms of neo-Nazism and neo-fascism deserved greater attention; their adherents were growing in number, even in Europe, where so much tragic history could be traced to them in the recent past. More efforts were necessary to teach tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, as fascism and other forms of racism were learned things; hence it was clear that anti-racist perspectives also could be learned. Russia had its problems with racism, of course, and the economic crisis facing the country had worsened tendencies towards political and ethnic extremism; the President and Government had recently taken firm steps to quell acts threatening inter-ethnic harmony.
DAVID DISHAND (Sudan) cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention Against Discrimination in Education by UNESCO, saying all called on the international community to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination. He detailed the legislative and institutional measures taken in Sudan to curb racism. The Khartoum Peace Agreement of April 1997 acknowledged the multiracial, multiethnic, multi religious and multicultural nature of the Sudanese society and conceded the right for self-determination for the people of southern Sudan through an internationally observed referendum. Sudan fully supported the efforts for the next World Conference against Racism and called for adequate preparations and financial provisions for this Conference.
LILIA BAUTISTA (the Philippines) said that at the eve of the third World Conference against Racism, the world was still confronted with the scourge of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It was troubling to hear from the Special Rapporteur that there were more than 400 sites on the Internet promoting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. This alone required more action from the world community and urgent attention should be given to the proposed code of conduct to regulate the use of the Internet. Any advocacy of national, racial and religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be prohibited by law. This required further examination of education programmes to ensure people were not only aware of their rights and freedoms but were also conscious of their duties.
Ms. Bautista supported the establishment by the Commission of a Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrant workers. With respect to indigenous people, efforts should be taken to give international and national recognition not only of their rights but also of their special needs. The world community also needed to give special attention to the problem of women and children who were the subject of trafficking and were victims of double discrimination and inhumane treatment. The attention the Commission on Human Rights had given to the problem of trafficking in women and children was welcome and the Philippines called on all countries to cooperate on this issue.
JOSE ROSENBERG (Ecuador) said the country had fought unswervingly against the practice of racism; it was difficult to accept that human beings still carried out discriminatory activities based on race; it was disturbing to see how modern technology, which had so many positive uses, also could be distorted to serve the ends of hatred and racial discrimination. The elimination of apartheid had been a triumph for the entire world and should serve as an inspiration that problems of racism could be surmounted. Ecuador thought it was vital to stress the importance of education -- tolerance could be taught; and if you taught a child today you would not have to punish an adult tomorrow. Ecuador would prepare for the upcoming World Conference by developing programmes to root out problems of racism from its national territory; indigenous peoples and other national minorities were participating in development of human-rights projects in Ecuador.
ABDOUL AZIZ NDIAYE (Senegal) said his country supported the World Conference against Racism and underscored its need to be effective by being a wake-up call in alerting nations to the nature of its objectives in the area of racism and racial discrimination. Senegal had invested much of its efforts in the preparation of the World Conference. The fight against racism and racial discrimination was a multidimensional one and therefore account must be taken on all fronts including historical, religious, educational ones, as well as in the areas of information, human development and culture. The World Conference must not be an end in itself, but a means toward effective measures in the effort to bring social consciousness and to combat racial abuses.
TOMASZ NOTHE (Poland) said the twenty-first century, with the upcoming World Conference against Racism, should be a century of increasing tolerance which would bring an increase in the level of knowledge and consciousness and where emphasis should be put on education and breaking the existing stereotypes through intercultural education so that existing differences would be treated as potential assets for deriving valuable elements from cultures, nations and regions other than one’s own.
The World Conference should launch campaigns against racism on a wide scale to include as many spheres of life as possible. It was necessary to change peoples’ attitudes, their behaviour and outlook towards racism, intolerance and xenophobia to combat racism. There should also be a review of domestic legislation to make sure that all acts of racism and hatred or xenophobia were prohibited under penalty. Also countries were encouraged to take steps towards ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and recognizing the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to accept and examine individual complaints under article 14 of the Convention. Poland had submitted such a declaration last year.
CARLOS AMAT (Cuba) said there was a disturbing resurgence of racism around the world; the most pernicious forms were emerging in the developed world. The globalization of markets was a factor. Neo-Nazi and related movements were becoming more prominent in several industrialized countries; they were taking advantage of an environment of fear and social exclusion; their extremist and xenophobic ideas were circulating, poisoning minds and influencing political parties. Immigrants particularly were being made the scapegoats of the mounting decay in developed countries; they were subject to verbal and even physical attacks; police forces treated them in cruel and discriminatory fashion. The United States was a prime example of institutionalized racism; African-Americans there suffered discrimination in all sorts of legal areas, and despite their small percentage of the total population made up over half of the U.S. prison population. In the Czech Republic, there was persistent discrimination against the Roma. The Third Decade against racism should be funded out of the United Nations regular budget, and Cuba fully supported the upcoming World Conference against Racism.
HR/CN/99/12
30 March 1999
Discussion Centres on Preparations for the World Conference Against
Racism; Speakers Warn that Discrimination and Xenophobia are Increasing
The Commission on Human Rights this morning continued its debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.
During the discussion, many speakers pledged to support the planned World Conference against Racism and to make it effective. Many underscored the need for tangible, enforceable measures to result from this Conference.
Most delegates cited the efforts made in their own countries against racism and racial intolerance. Among the possible measures identified to fight discrimination were programmes to educate and sensitize the public to racial issues, the use of the media, the use of the Internet, and the institution of governmental bodies to oversee and enforce measures to curb racial injustices.
The need to cooperate with other countries on a regional basis in curbing racial discrimination and associated abuses was underscored. Germany, on behalf of the European Union, cited efforts by the European Union including the Amsterdam Treaty to enhance the competence of the 15 Member States in the prevention of racism and in the enforcement of legislation enacted to curb it.
Many cited cases of abuses against ethnic minorities as evidence that racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia was on the increase. The delegate of Bangladesh cited the current situation in Kosovo as an example ofextreme abuse. The Czech Republic delegate cited discrimination against the Roma peoples and his country’s own efforts against these discriminatory practices. The Norwegian delegate called on the need to focus on discriminatory practices affecting children since they represented not only the future but also the nation's conscience. And the delegate of Cuba said Neo-Nazi and related movements were becoming more prominent in several industrialized countries where their extremist and xenophobic ideas were circulating, poisoning minds and influencing political parties.
Speaking at this morning's session were representatives of Cuba, Spain, Germany, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Guatemala, China, the Czech Republic, the United States of America, Romania, Norway, Sri Lanka, Latvia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Argentina, the Russian Federation, Sudan, the Philippines, Ecuador, Senegal, and Poland.
The Commission will resume its discussion on racism at 3 p.m. today.
Statements
WILHELM HOYNCK (Germany), on behalf of the European Union, said the central and eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus believed diversity was one of the foundations on which the European Union had been built. Racism, xenophobia and intolerance were the antithesis of what the project of the European Union meant in its essence.
It was within the responsibility of States to guarantee all human rights to all persons within their jurisdiction and to protect them from any kind of discrimination, Mr. Hoynck said. The implementation of international obligations was the best way to guarantee that their legal systems and administrative practices were clearly anti-discriminatory. In addition, awareness raising and education were needed to counter racist attitudes.
Mr. Hoynck said that one of the goals of the United Nations was to promote universal respect for human rights for all, without any distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnic origin. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted more than 30 years ago. The fact that 150 States had ratified this Convention underlined its significance. The goal remained the universal ratification of or accession to this Convention. Such an achievement was an important aim of the upcoming World Conference against Racism.
The European Union was determined to combat racism, xenophobia and intolerance through the national policies of the 15 Member States and through action at the community level. The Amsterdam Treaty, which was expected to enter into force very soon, would enhance the Union's competence in all areas of activity including the prevention of and fight against racism and in the field of political and judicial cooperation. The Union had drawn up in 1998 a comprehensive action plan for combatting racism within its Member States.
AKRAM ZAKI (Pakistan) said his country strongly denounced racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations; the concept of discrimination and intolerance on the basis of race, colour, belief, or ethnicity was abhorrent to the precepts of Islam, which preached respect for human dignity, equality, and brotherhood; these principles were enshrined in Pakistan's Constitution. Unfortunately, new forms of racism and racial discrimination had raised their ugly heads in many countries and today millions of human beings continued to be victims of discrimination. The perpetrators of crimes of discrimination and genocide in Kosovo and elsewhere continued to try the patience of the international community; in general there were growing instances of discrimination against Muslim minorities in several countries of the world; many innocent lives had been lost in attacks prompted by racial or religious hatred against Muslims. The upcoming World Conference against Racism should address the root causes of the problem
.
IFTEKHAR AHMED CHOWDHRY (Bangladesh) cited the tragedy of the Kosovar Albanians in the Balkans as an example of the resurgence of xenophobia directed against minorities and foreigners and ethnic cleansing which continued to exist in the world today. There should be universal adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Bangladesh pledged to promote this Convention and called on effective enforcement of legislation and moral commitments in the fight against racism and its related issues.
The decision of the General Assembly to follow-up on the declaration of the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the observance of the year 2001 as the International Year for Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was to be applauded. Bangladesh strongly supported the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and contributions from non-governmental actors were called upon to help pay for the preparatory process and the Conference itself.
A. GOPINATHAN (India) said racism was taking increasingly violent forms and xenophobia was finding reflection in national legislation relating to the right to asylum and the free movement of persons; legislation to combat racism remained weak or inadequately enforced in many countries. Also disturbing was the concept of "regional fortresses" bolstered by political accords between groups of nations which created a climate and a perception that foreigners were adversaries, rivals, or competitors and were a threat to local prosperity, culture, and identity. The upcoming World Conference against Racism must reaffirm the commitment of the international community to the principles of multi-culturalism and tolerance and reaffirm that diversity and pluralism enriched societies rather than undermined them. The Programme of Action of the Third Decade against Racism must be re-energized and adequately funded from the United Nations regular budget; and the World Conference must lead to a renewal of a global commitment to address the problem of racial discrimination.
SIPHO GEORGE NENE (South Africa) said his country had learnt a bitter lesson that racial segregation and racial oppression could only be a recipe for disaster and economic ruin. The reconstruction and development currently underway in South Africa were among the many approaches which the present Government had adopted to redress the legacies of the past regimes. South Africa was doing its best to heal the deep wounds of its racial past.
Mr. Nene said the World Conference against Racism alone could not resolve all the problems of racism, facing the world today unless it was backed by strong national commitments, appropriate national legislation and education campaigns. The international community needed to act now and deal with the Internet being used as a tool for promoting hatred and racist propaganda. There was a need for active participation of non-governmental organizations and civil society in this process. In December 1998, South Africa had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Mr. Nene said that during the past year, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, had visited South Africa. His report would be given the highest priority by the Government which shared the Special Rapporteur’s concerns about the unprecedented rise in xenophobic sentiment. The Government was ashamed of the increasingly inhospitable, brutal welcome accorded to refugees and migrants arriving on the shores of South Africa.
LUIS PADILLA MENENDEZ (Guatemala), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, said further financial resources must be allocated to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, as it was clear that problems in the field were extensive and disturbing. The Group attached great importance, furthermore, to the actions of the Working Group and Preparatory Committee in advance of the World Conference against Racism; the Working Group should focus above all on matters of procedure, while not of course ignoring issues of substance; it was necessary to prepare the way for a successful World Conference. The Conference should produce a declaration, a programme of action, and a follow-up mechanism that had concrete recommendations for steps to be taken at national, regional, and international levels. Attention should be paid in the results of the Conference to, among other things, matters of globalization and their effects on racial equality, matters of population movements and their ramifications on racism, and the role of media, including the Internet, in the field.
YU WENZHE (China) said that for decades the international community, represented by the United Nations, had carried out an unremitting struggle against racism and racial discrimination to make equality a common principle. There was a new form of racism and racial discrimination that now existed. These trends of xenophobia, new fascism and new Nazism were becoming increasingly serious in many countries since peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America had freed themselves from colonial rule.
The World Conference against Racism which would be organized by the United Nations would enable Member States to study and review the efforts against the new forms of racism. It would also enable States to put an end to gross violations of human rights which was a priority of the United Nations. All countries should adopt political, economic, legal, educational and other measures to remove the causes of this new racism and racial discrimination and to earnestly tackle their respective problems so as to achieve fundamental freedoms in the real sense. China was ready to join all other delegations to work for the success of the World Conference and to make unremitting efforts to turn the twenty-first century into an era which was free from racism and racial discrimination.
MIROSLAV SOMOL (the Czech Republic) cited the country’s support for current international efforts against all forms of racial discrimination, including the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo. The Czech Republic admitted the need for improvements at home and cited efforts against racism regarding the Roma minority in the country.
Numerous measures had been instituted to combat racial discrimination including, among others, amendments to the criminal code, improvements against discrimination in access to employment, the creation of the post of Government Commissioner for Human Rights, and the establishment of a Council on Human Rights. The Government had donated 10 million Czech Crowns for the eradication of racism. Prevention was focused on education and media efforts. The World Conference against Racism should be supported and the need to be practically oriented was underscored. The Czech Republic was preparing a project to further promote the emancipation of the Roma community and called on inspiration in this field from other countries within the region.
CARLA ARRANAGA (the United States) said the country had come a long way in 220 years; many a generation had slaved and toiled and died to bring about change in the way Americans viewed race and civil liberty, but today protection at local, state and federal levels which were afforded to all Americans were among the most extensive in the world. Still, racial, religious, and ethnic prejudice was deeply embedded in every culture; at its worst, such prejudice could fuel hatreds that could poison entire regions. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Rwanda, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sudan, the names themselves cried out, synonymous with senseless slaughter, ethnic cleansing, rape, and destruction. How many more would die before the world learned to take effective measures to prevent such tragedies? A number of initiatives had been taken in the United States, including community strategies and networks to address hate crimes and develop preventative strategies to educate children and others in tolerance; to develop respect for different backgrounds and points of view; to heal the wounds suffered by victims of hate crimes; and to establish legal bases to combat and reduce racism.
ALEXANDER FARCAS (Romania) said his country attached great importance to international cooperation for the promotion and respect of human rights. The elimination of racial discrimination based on colour, race, or ethnic origin should be the priority of every country. Racial discrimination had become extremely serious and more intolerant. In most cases, States had been taking measures to punish the most outstanding of these problems. These measures were as important as the role played by national and international organizations in combatting racism and racial discrimination. Romania was involved in public information activities to eliminate racial discrimination. Freedom of expression should not take priority over peace. The upcoming World Conference against Racism should be planned and organized to show a general awareness of the problem and there was a need to act on effects and causes of racism and racial discrimination and to promote cooperation between international organizations. Specific measures should be taken at the level of education and many non-governmental organizations had developed valuable programmes.
TANJA HEGGE (Norway) welcomed the World Conference against Racism and stated that it would be valuable at all national, regional and international levels. The issues of racial intolerance and discrimination toward national minorities, children and young people, ethnic and racial discrimination, and racism in everyday life were high on Norway’s agenda. It had formulated an Action Plan for 1998-2001 to prevent racism and discrimination.
Norway supported the World Conference against Racism and welcomed the preparatory work by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms. Hegge also cited the efforts of the Council of Europe to fight racism in Europe. Norway underscored the objective to provide practical recommendations and to develop best practices in the search for prevention. The Government was actively seeking co-operation with other countries in addressing racist attitudes and intolerance. Norway’s priority commitment was to the prevention of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance toward children who were not only the future but also the nation’s conscience.
PRASAD KARIYAWASAM (Sri Lanka) said his country was firmly committed to a world devoid of any form of racial discrimination; nevertheless, like the rest of the world, it was faced with extremist groups that preached dogmas of ethnic exclusivity and racial discrimination; such fringe groups more often resorted to violence and terrorism, and in Sri Lanka's view the upcoming World Conference against Racism should, among other matters, unequivocally condemn terrorism and violence. Abuse of the Internet to propagate hatred was a matter of grave concern, and the issue should be prominent on the agenda of the Conference. One objective of preparations should be universal participation in the Conference; States and civil society should be represented. It also was important to monitor new trends and perceptions, along with new subtle practices of racism that were emerging. The transnational migration of people searching for social and economic emancipation appeared to strain social values and ethics that had been built against racism in many societies; even the so-called advanced societies were buckling under these strains.
RAIMANDS JANSANS (Latvia) said his country joined other nations in promoting the elimination of racial discrimination and xenophobia both domestically and internationally, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 52/111. The ways and means of eliminating racial discrimination in one’s own country should be addressed as a matter of priority. The report by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, on such issues as police violence, anti-Semitism, discrimination against blacks and others was appreciated. This report, as well as the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, would set the proper context for the World Conference against Racism.
Mr. Jansans said in 1998 Latvia had submitted its initial report on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, detailing problems facing Latvia. The Government was aware that the prosperity and development of the country depended on its ability to establish the conditions that sustained a balanced multi-ethnic society. Legislative efforts in his country had led to the elevation of human rights to a constitutional level. A special human rights section in the Constitution of Latvia had been adopted at the end of last year which ensured that all persons in Latvia were equal under the law and their human rights were to be exercised without any kind of discrimination. The Government attached particular importance to the aspects of racism arising from migration and refugee and asylum seeking, which should be properly addressed in the upcoming World Conference.
LUCIA RUSTAM (Indonesia) said her country strived to maintain harmony for the sake of national unity, but its diversity and history of tolerance could not be taken for granted, especially when economic crises hit; in May 1998, riots and looting broke out in many parts of Indonesia; the violence resulted in a number of horrendous human-rights abuses, some with racist connotations; the tragedy was a valuable lesson for Indonesians on how important it was to maintain harmony among the various races. The Government was addressing the root causes of the recent conflicts and measures had been taken immediately to investigate human-rights violations, provide assistance to victims, and prevent recurrences. Among other steps, the Government was reviewing legislation to ensure that all citizens were treated equally before the law, and it had abolished the use of identifying codes on Indonesian Chinese identity cards. Indonesia felt the upcoming World Conference against Racism should formulate recommendations to increase the effectiveness of existing machinery to combat racial discrimination, and also should promote genuine dialogue, mutual understanding, and establishment of a worldwide culture of tolerance.
MAXIME ZAFERA (Madagascar) expressed his concern about the negative conclusions cited in the various reports by the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and others which underlined the continuing and often accelerating existence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.
Madagascar offered its continued support to the World Conference and efforts for the mobilisation of funds toward the ratification of international instruments against racism and the heightening of public awareness of the problem. Its own efforts toward the curbing and eradication of these abuses were detailed, including among others, enacted legislation and institutional bodies in Madagascar aimed at the prevention of abuses and the enforcement of these laws.
PABLO CHELIA (Argentina) said that his country had always maintained education should be the primary pillar through which elimination of discrimination should be promoted. The Government had incorporated in its legislation the principles of respect of rights of man and fundamental freedoms of all the habitants of Argentina. In May 1998, Dinko Sadic and his wife were convicted for war crimes during the Second World War. This reinforced Argentina’s position on the fight against racism. Argentina supported the World Conference against Racism and preparations for it.
YOURI IVANOV (the Russian Federation) said racism and racial discrimination continued to be a worldwide problem; with a unique capacity for mutation, racism was finding new forms; hence efforts to combat it had to change, too. The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms racism, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, had not dealt in his report with those countries that had failed to submit reports as required of States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. New forms of neo-Nazism and neo-fascism deserved greater attention; their adherents were growing in number, even in Europe, where so much tragic history could be traced to them in the recent past. More efforts were necessary to teach tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, as fascism and other forms of racism were learned things; hence it was clear that anti-racist perspectives also could be learned. Russia had its problems with racism, of course, and the economic crisis facing the country had worsened tendencies towards political and ethnic extremism; the President and Government had recently taken firm steps to quell acts threatening inter-ethnic harmony.
DAVID DISHAND (Sudan) cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention Against Discrimination in Education by UNESCO, saying all called on the international community to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination. He detailed the legislative and institutional measures taken in Sudan to curb racism. The Khartoum Peace Agreement of April 1997 acknowledged the multiracial, multiethnic, multi religious and multicultural nature of the Sudanese society and conceded the right for self-determination for the people of southern Sudan through an internationally observed referendum. Sudan fully supported the efforts for the next World Conference against Racism and called for adequate preparations and financial provisions for this Conference.
LILIA BAUTISTA (the Philippines) said that at the eve of the third World Conference against Racism, the world was still confronted with the scourge of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It was troubling to hear from the Special Rapporteur that there were more than 400 sites on the Internet promoting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. This alone required more action from the world community and urgent attention should be given to the proposed code of conduct to regulate the use of the Internet. Any advocacy of national, racial and religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be prohibited by law. This required further examination of education programmes to ensure people were not only aware of their rights and freedoms but were also conscious of their duties.
Ms. Bautista supported the establishment by the Commission of a Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrant workers. With respect to indigenous people, efforts should be taken to give international and national recognition not only of their rights but also of their special needs. The world community also needed to give special attention to the problem of women and children who were the subject of trafficking and were victims of double discrimination and inhumane treatment. The attention the Commission on Human Rights had given to the problem of trafficking in women and children was welcome and the Philippines called on all countries to cooperate on this issue.
JOSE ROSENBERG (Ecuador) said the country had fought unswervingly against the practice of racism; it was difficult to accept that human beings still carried out discriminatory activities based on race; it was disturbing to see how modern technology, which had so many positive uses, also could be distorted to serve the ends of hatred and racial discrimination. The elimination of apartheid had been a triumph for the entire world and should serve as an inspiration that problems of racism could be surmounted. Ecuador thought it was vital to stress the importance of education -- tolerance could be taught; and if you taught a child today you would not have to punish an adult tomorrow. Ecuador would prepare for the upcoming World Conference by developing programmes to root out problems of racism from its national territory; indigenous peoples and other national minorities were participating in development of human-rights projects in Ecuador.
ABDOUL AZIZ NDIAYE (Senegal) said his country supported the World Conference against Racism and underscored its need to be effective by being a wake-up call in alerting nations to the nature of its objectives in the area of racism and racial discrimination. Senegal had invested much of its efforts in the preparation of the World Conference. The fight against racism and racial discrimination was a multidimensional one and therefore account must be taken on all fronts including historical, religious, educational ones, as well as in the areas of information, human development and culture. The World Conference must not be an end in itself, but a means toward effective measures in the effort to bring social consciousness and to combat racial abuses.
TOMASZ NOTHE (Poland) said the twenty-first century, with the upcoming World Conference against Racism, should be a century of increasing tolerance which would bring an increase in the level of knowledge and consciousness and where emphasis should be put on education and breaking the existing stereotypes through intercultural education so that existing differences would be treated as potential assets for deriving valuable elements from cultures, nations and regions other than one’s own.
The World Conference should launch campaigns against racism on a wide scale to include as many spheres of life as possible. It was necessary to change peoples’ attitudes, their behaviour and outlook towards racism, intolerance and xenophobia to combat racism. There should also be a review of domestic legislation to make sure that all acts of racism and hatred or xenophobia were prohibited under penalty. Also countries were encouraged to take steps towards ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and recognizing the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to accept and examine individual complaints under article 14 of the Convention. Poland had submitted such a declaration last year.
CARLOS AMAT (Cuba) said there was a disturbing resurgence of racism around the world; the most pernicious forms were emerging in the developed world. The globalization of markets was a factor. Neo-Nazi and related movements were becoming more prominent in several industrialized countries; they were taking advantage of an environment of fear and social exclusion; their extremist and xenophobic ideas were circulating, poisoning minds and influencing political parties. Immigrants particularly were being made the scapegoats of the mounting decay in developed countries; they were subject to verbal and even physical attacks; police forces treated them in cruel and discriminatory fashion. The United States was a prime example of institutionalized racism; African-Americans there suffered discrimination in all sorts of legal areas, and despite their small percentage of the total population made up over half of the U.S. prison population. In the Czech Republic, there was persistent discrimination against the Roma. The Third Decade against racism should be funded out of the United Nations regular budget, and Cuba fully supported the upcoming World Conference against Racism.
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