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18 October 2000
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Fifty-Fifth General Assembly
Third Committee
26th Meeting (AM)
18 October 2000
Awareness-raising was not enough to combat the scourge of racism, the "Group of 77" developing countries and China told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning as it began considering racism and self- determination. Speaking on the Group’s behalf was the representative of Nigeria, who called for action-oriented measures as an outcome of the World Conference on Racism, to be held in South Africa during 2001.
Nigeria's representative said racism had been a focus of the Millennium Summit. The Declaration had committed world leaders to eliminating it and promoting tolerance. The Declaration was a good basis for decisive actions to be taken at the national, regional and international levels in preparing for the Conference.
The European Union, through the representative of France, noted that its recent preparatory meeting in Strasbourg for the World Conference had taken place within the framework of the Council of Europe. That regional organization for promoting human rights had focused on how to move from theory to practice in promoting tolerance. National policies and action plans had emerged to protect particularly vulnerable groups.
The representative of Iran expressed concern at the spread of prejudice against Islam and Muslims. As Chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, his country would draw attention to it at the World Conference. The Asian Regional Preparatory Conference would be held in February 2001 in Tehran.
Opening the debate, a number of guests introduced the reports before the Committee. Jyoti Shankar Singh, Executive Coordinator for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, introduced the reports of the Conference Preparatory Committee and of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He also introduced the Secretary-General's reports on the status of the Convention on eliminating racial discrimination and on the financial situation of the racial discrimination Committee.
Enrique Bernale Ballesteros, the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries, introduced the Secretary-General's report on the right of self-determination and his own report on the use of mercenaries to impede the right of self-determination.
Maurice Glele-Ahahanzo, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, introduced the report on his findings.
Taking part in a dialogue with the Committee's guests were the representatives of Libya, France, Cuba, Iraq, Angola, Austria and Namibia. The representative of Kuwait made a clarification.
Also making statements on issues related to racism and self-determination were the representatives of Ecuador, Norway, Japan and Senegal.
The observer for Palestine made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 19 October, to continue its consideration of issues related to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, along with the right of peoples to self-determination.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to begin considering issues related to racism and to self-determination.
The Committee has before it the relevant section of the Economic and Social Council's 2000 report. Also, before the Committee, is a report by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (to be issued, with an addendum). The Secretary-General's report on the Committee's financial situation is before the Committee, as is his report on the status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. A note by the Secretary- General transmits the interim report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights regarding measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and related intolerance.
A report of the Commission on Human Rights, acting as the preparatory committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (2001), is before the Committee. The Secretary-General's report on preparations for the World Conference also reports on implementing the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003).
In addition, the Committee has before it the Secretary-General's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination. A note by him transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the use of mercenaries to impede the right of self-determination.
The 2000 Economic and Social Council report (document A/55/3) states that no proposals were submitted under the sub-item of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
Concerning the Status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (document A/55/203), the Secretary-General notes that, as of 30 June, the Convention had been ratified or acceded to by 156 States parties. The report contains an annex which lists those States as well as the dates when they signed, ratified, or acceded to the Convention.
According to the report, also as of 30 June, 30 States parties to the Convention had made the declaration provided for under article 14, recognizing the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to receive and consider communications from individuals or groups of individuals within their jurisdiction claiming to be victims of violation by those States parties of any of the rights set forth in the Convention.
The Secretary-General's report on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/55/266) recalled the Committee's mandate and reported on two regular sessions during 1999 and 2000. Financing for those sessions had come from the regular budget and no State party assessments were made in 1999 or 2000. However, a number of States were in arrears from non-payment of previous assessments. As at 30 June, the total outstanding arrears amounted to $173,572.
Annex I of the report outlines the status of the amendment to the Convention's article 8 on financing of the Committee's sessions. Annex II lists the status of the Committee's contributions as at 30 June.
On the preparatory process for the 2001 World Conference against Racism and the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism (document A/55/285), the Secretary-General reports that the Preparatory Committee had met for its first formal session in Geneva during May. It had accepted South Africa's invitation to host the Conference from 31 August to 7 September 2001. A draft declaration and programme of action for the Conference were recommended to be adopted by the Assembly, along with a proposal to establish an intersessional working group that would meet in Geneva during January 2001. The Preparatory Committee further recommended that its second session in 2001 be extended up to five working days.
The report outlines the documentation presented to the Preparatory Committee, including results of an expert seminar on racism, refugees and multi- ethnic States held in the context of the revised Programme of Action for the Third Decade against Racism, held in Geneva from 6 to 8 December 1999. Other documentation included outputs from seminars, reports, questionnaires, committees and special rapporteurs. Activities of the Commission on Human Rights included the appointment of an 11-member Bureau for the two sessions of the Preparatory Committee and the initiation of a World Conference information campaign.
The report also covers coordination and liaison activities, as well as an outline of future meetings and proposals for ensuring resources. Annexes graphically present the status of the Trust Fund for the Third Decade's Programme of Action and of the World Conference's Fund for Voluntary Contributions.
A note by the Secretary-General transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/55/304), in response to a profound concern about the increase in racial and xenophobic violence in many parts of the world. The report concludes that while the incidence of violent manifestations of racism has been on the decline since 1997, there had recently been an alarming resurgence in a number of countries, chiefly as a result of the renewed activities of far-right, neo-Nazi and skinhead organizations. It also concludes that the Internet continues to be the preferred medium for incitement to racial hatred and dissemination of racist and xenophobic ideas, and that increasingly commonplace everyday racism can be uncovered when detection mechanisms -- such as toll-free telephone numbers -- are introduced.
Accordingly, in addition to workshops already held on the subject, the Special Rapporteur strongly recommends the holding of international consultations at the governmental level, with a view to regulating the use of the Internet and harmonizing criminal legislation on the use of the Internet for racist purposes. Support should be given to initiatives designed to use the Internet to create and develop a culture centred on respect for all mankind without distinction. The Special Rapporteur also suggested to the Assembly that it continue to mobilize public opinion against the various forms of racism, and that it make Member States and the various organizations aware of the importance of the World Conference on Racism to be held in 2001. He also urged States that have not ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to do so prior to the Conference.
The report also notes that the Special Rapporteur expressed grave concern at certain specific manifestations of racial discrimination and drew attention to the accession to power in Austria of the Freedom Party; the attacks on migrant workers from North Africa in the town of El Ejido in southern Spain; and the case of Amadou Diallo, who died after being shot 41 times by members of the New York City Police Department. The Special Rapporteur called on the Commission to pay close attention to the phenomenon of the presence of xenophobic or racist parties within governments, since that appeared to be an attempt to normalize such parties. According to the report, subtle forms of racism persist in people's everyday lives in several countries. Ethnocentrism and political exploitation of ethnicity are increasing disturbingly in various parts of the world, particularly in Africa's Great Lakes region and in Indonesia, where inter-ethnic wars continue and threats of ethnic warfare have arisen against a political backdrop.
The report on the first session (1-5 May) of the Commission on Human Rights acting as the preparatory committee for the World Conference on Racism and related intolerance (document A/55/307) describes the procedures and participants of the session. It also describes adoption of the organization of work for the Preparatory Committee's second session, to be held in 2001.
Annexes to the report contain decisions adopted during the first session, concerning such matters as accreditation, financial assistance and themes for the provisional agenda; documentation issued for the first session; provisional rules of procedure; and other procedural matters.
The Secretary-General's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination (document A/55/176) states that the Commission on Human Rights adopted three resolutions concerning the right of self-determination. One, on the question of Western Sahara, stated that implementation of a settlement plan was progressing satisfactorily and it urged implementation of the Secretary-General's package of measures for proceeding. Another, on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights, highlighted the need to carry out studies and disseminate information on the adverse effects of mercenary activities on human rights, particularly on the exercise of the right of peoples to self- determination. Noting that mercenary activities had increased and taken on new forms, the Commission decided to convene a workshop on the matter prior to the Assembly's current session. A third resolution reaffirmed the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, including the option of a State.
An addendum to the report on the right of peoples to self-determination (document A/55/176/Add.1) summarizes information received in response to the Secretary-General's note verbale drawing attention to General Assembly resolution 54/155 on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination. The views of Pakistan, Lebanon and Libya are included.
A note by the Secretary-General transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries to violate human rights and impede exercise of a people’s right to self-determination (document A/55/334). The report concludes that no significant progress has been observed in cutting down the number of mercenary activities, which are carried out in particular through armed conflicts where some or all of the parties hire mercenaries to boost their military might. The report also concludes that limitations and shortcomings of the legal definition of mercenaries -- primarily focused on professional services that are paid to recruit soldiers to intervene in armed conflict in a country other than their own -- have been underscored by the fact that the number of mercenary activities has not diminished, and that international efforts to prevent and prosecute such activities have been inadequate. In view of that problem, it was recommended that the Assembly reiterate that priority should be given to convening expert meetings and other mechanisms to consider proposals on the subject and that those suggestions be made available as soon as possible.
The report further concludes that various African countries continued to be affected by armed conflicts involving mercenaries. The interests of third parties, particularly their desire to control the valuable natural resources of African countries, are the causes of instability and armed conflicts in which mercenaries are used. In view of those facts, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Assembly should, in addition to condemning mercenary activities, declare its willingness to strengthen all those national, regional and international mechanisms that can be used to put an end to mercenaries in Africa. The Assembly should also call for the establishment of a system to provide special protection for Africa's natural resources, especially diamonds and oil.
The report further recommends, in light of the Special Rapporteur's follow-up visit in 1999, that in view of the tragic experience in Cuba as a result of the 1997 attacks on that country by mercenaries recruited, trained, financed and directed from outside that country, the Assembly should remind all Member States that their territories may not be used to recruit or train mercenaries or to finance such operations. The Assembly should further remind States of their obligation to prohibit, prosecute and punish all mercenary activities and to investigate, punish or, if necessary, extradite perpetrators of, or masterminds behind mercenary attacks who seek refuge in a country other than the affected country.
According to the report, mercenaries, whatever their origin, are a danger to the peoples who are subjected to their activities. Empirical evidence also showed that mercenarism works against peace, political stability, and respect for the rule of law and democracy. Despite all this, in the nearly 11 years since the Assembly adopted the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, only 20 States have so far agreed to be bound by it. Ratification by only two more States was needed to bring the Convention into force. It was recommended that the Assembly should encourage Member States to accede to the Convention as soon as possible.
Introductory Statements
JYOTI SHANKAR SINGH, Executive Coordinator for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the Committee on the events surrounding the upcoming World Conference and implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism. Firstly, he stressed that the World Conference would offer the opportunity to examine and make recommendations on a wide range of issues that were of utmost relevance today, including ethnic cleansing, the re-emergence of contemporary forms of slavery, trafficking in humans and new and more subtle forms of racism. He went on to say that preparations for the World Conference were gaining momentum and that the Government of South Africa, set to host the Conference, would soon announce the site. Shortly after the site was announced he would head to that country to work out further details. Finally, he informed the Committee that his Office needed extra-budgetary funding to organize a successful Conference. While $4 million had been raised during the year, the High Commissioner sought to raise another $6 million for the Conference in her annual appeal for 2001.
The Executive Coordinator then introduced several documents that were before the Committee. They included the report on the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference; the Secretary-General’s report on the Preparatory Committee for the Conference; and three documents which concerned the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Those included the report on the work of the Committee; the Secretary-General’s report on the status of the Convention on the elimination of racism; and the Secretary-General’s report on the Committee’s financial situation.
ENRIQUE BERNALE BALLESTEROS, Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries, then introduced his report on the use of mercenaries to violate human rights, as well as the report on the right of peoples to self-determination. He began his statement by noting that it would have been much easier to compile the information for the report if the outcome of various experts meetings on mercenary activities held throughout the reporting period had been made available to him. He insisted that, in order to fulfil the mandate handed down by the General Assembly, access to that information would be essential in the future. Turning to the report on the use of mercenaries, he stated that the international community had a priority need to correct the limitations and shortcomings of the legal definition of mercenaries, in order to enhance and expand the mechanisms used to punish and prosecute such individuals and those that hired them.
MAURICE GLELE-AHANHANZO, Special Rapporteur on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, introduced the report on that issue. He said that there had been a shocking rise in violent acts and ideologies which challenged the fundamental values of human rights today. Violent manifestations of all forms of racism had recently re-emerged in an alarming manner in a number of countries, in particular in Africa (Great Lakes region) and in Asia (Indonesia). Ethnocentrism and the political exploitation of ethnicity were also on the rise. He also noted increased activity by extreme-right wing and neo-Nazi groups. He highlighted several incidents that had drawn his attention during the reporting period, including the success of the Freedom Party in Austria, the rise of racist propaganda on the Internet, and the victimization of blacks in Libya.
Question and Answer Session
The representative of Libya said no racist coloration could legitimately be attributed to certain actions taken by her Government. Racism was not a single act but a systematic series of acts undertaken by governments. There was no victimization or “tracking” of blacks in her country, as had been alleged. Some people who were criminals in their own countries had been extradited back from Libya, following criminal actions. Her Government, she said, would respond directly to the Special Rapporteur on racism. She added that poverty existed in all countries -- and was fed on a global level by the policies of the World Bank and by such deprivations of human rights as the shipping of dangerous wastes to poor countries by industrialized States. Did modern communication of values through the mass media activate racism? Did globalization lead to it? she asked.
The representative of France noted the Special Rapporteur's observation that no continent was free of racism. Was he following regional preparatory activities for the World Conference? What was there to say about the new forms of racism, such as ethnically or economically based racism? What preparatory actions could be taken for the World Conference with regard to education?
When would the expert seminar on mercenaries be held, Cuba's representative asked. Would the Special Rapporteur on mercenaries take part? Cuba was always willing to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, she added, but the reports should be made openly available in the interests of transparency. Another Cuban representative said the most serious forms of racism occurred in the North. The reports should look more seriously at the roots of racism, which was a way to marginalize societies by excluding certain people. Compensation should be paid to the victims of racism, just as compensation had recently been made to Holocaust victims. After all, capitalist slavery had been practised for many hundreds of years. Compensation would help African countries develop.
Iraq's representative referred to the profanation of sacred sites noted by the Special Rapporteur on racism. When a known Israeli agitator visited a sacred site as had happened recently in Al-Haram Al-Sharif -- it caused hundreds of deaths and injuries. The repercussions were still occurring. When would the Special Rapporteur's report make note of such actions?
The representative of Angola noted a mistake in several versions of the report on mercenaries in a reference to her country's affiliations.
Austria's representative said the findings of independent experts were not fully in line with actuality. Austria had not been informed of the Special Rapporteur's concerns over racism in Austria. It would be gratified if such information were forthcoming.
Finally, the representative of Namibia said there was an erroneous reference to her country in the report on mercenaries. Her country did not support rebels, but supported the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Responses by Special Rapporteurs
In response to questions by the representatives of Namibia and Angola, Special Rapporteur Bernale Ballesteros, in a clarification of certain paragraphs of the report on the use of mercenaries, said that the text he had drafted stated that armed forces of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo -– not the rebels in that region -- had the support of Namibia and Angola. He apologized if there had been mistakes in the translation of the report.
In response to a statement by the representative of Libya, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, Special Rapporteur on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, said that the situation was quite simple: cases of discrimination against blacks in that country were reported in the media every day. As a representative of the human rights community, he could not make a presentation on racism before the Committee without discussing that particular situation. When there were manifestations of racism, he must speak out against them. He had not called the Government’s actions into question, he had only said that he deplored the situation of blacks in the country. As far as he knew, the Government was not involved. However, it should take the necessary steps against those outbreaks of xenophobia.
Turning to the issue of poverty, he said that there was a Special Rapporteur assigned to deal with that issue as well as with the sources of poverty in the face of social inequality. From what he could tell, however, immigrants or indigenous populations were the groups that suffered most from a convergence of the phenomena of poverty and racism.
He went on to say that education was perhaps the key to combating all forms of racism. Inter-ethnic conflicts and exploitation of ethnicity persisted primarily due to a lack of education. It was important to promote education with a human rights focus, particularly at the primary and secondary levels. Respect for cultural and ethnic diversity should also be stressed. In that regard, he said that the Commission on Human Rights and relevant United Nations agencies had cooperated closely to produce a model text on racism and racist attitudes that he took along with him on missions. He would ask governments if they had moved to ratify the Convention on the elimination of racism, and if the answer was no, he would present the model and suggest integrating its ideas into State policies that might spur action.
As for the role of the media, he said that racism had always existed, but now that the mass media were so powerful even the smallest incidents were widely reported. Do we not want the media to inform us of incidents of racism? he asked the Committee. The media were essential in awareness-raising. That was particularly true now that subtler forms of racism had become prevalent.
Next he highlighted some of his activities during the preparatory process of the World Conference on Racism. He had, among other things, attended a conference in Addis Ababa on racial and ethnic conflict in Africa. On the recent events in Jerusalem, he said that while that was certainly a painful issue, it was one that was outside his mandate. Next week, when the Committee took up religious intolerance, there would be someone present to discuss that particular issue more fully. To questions by the representative of Austria, he said that he had read the reports on the Freedom Party, and the decision remained that it was indeed xenophobic.
Statements
YVES DOUTRIAUX (France), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that combating racism was a burning issue on the international agenda. The upcoming World Conference would be an important step in identifying ways to address that scourge at all levels. The European Union had been actively involved in the preparatory process for the Conference, and its States members had agreed that broad cooperation was the only way to combat racism in all its forms. He called on all Member States to take the opportunities the World Conference would present to ensure future generations a better world.
He went to say it was essential that preparations for the Conference should take into account the sufferings of the past. But discussions should also look to opening up a new era, focusing on education, protection and the establishment of new mechanisms of recourse. He hoped that the action plan adopted by the Conference would create the legal framework for combating racism, promoting the establishment of policies, and enhancing international cooperation. He looked forward as well to reports from upcoming regional preparatory conferences. It was also important to note the importance of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process. The fight against racism should not involve governments alone.
He was also pleased to report that the European Union’s preparations for the Conference had taken place within the framework of the Council of Europe, a regional organization playing a key role in the promotion of human rights. The Council had presented its views at the recent Strasbourg Conference “All different, all equal: from theory to practice”. Member States of the Council undertook to adopt measures to combat all forms of racism to which the Union fully subscribed.
Out of the Council’s deliberations had also come political measures aimed at the implementation of national policies and action plans and the protection of particularly vulnerable groups. It was a priority for regional organizations in Europe to promote and protect respect for cultural diversity in education. The Union’s position was based on its strong belief that racism should be actively fought in order to achieve its total elimination, and that non-discrimination was central to human rights. Regardless of the reasons motivating them, acts of racism were an attack against human rights and should therefore be condemned. The efforts of governments should be supported by those of civil society. Racism persisted in multiple forms, such as denial of access to services and discriminatory hiring practices. He said that the World Conference would be a unique opportunity to demonstrate a common will to act.
M.K. IBRAHIM (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the timing of the 2001 World Conference on Racism was appropriate, since the growing incidence of racism and racial discrimination had been attracting international concern. The success of the Conference would depend on effective preparations. The regional preparatory meeting by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, was welcome, as were those planned in Dakar, Senegal, Santiago, Chile and Tehran. Racism was an affront to the guiding principles of the United Nations and negated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The horrors of racism ranged from slavery to the Holocaust to apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Those had deeply wounded millions of people around the world. The problem persisted despite efforts to combat it, not just as the root cause of conflicts but as a fueling agent for those conflicts. The campaigns of ethnic cleansing and genocide by a re-emerging far right in Europe were new forms of old race hatreds. Refugees, racial minorities, migrant workers, asylum seekers, the Roma and indigenous peoples were persistent targets of intolerance. The print and electronic media, along with new communication technologies such as the Internet, were disseminating messages of racial hatred and inciting violence. Communications experts should be included in preparatory activities and in the Conference itself to devise strategies for addressing that new dimension to the problem.
Racism had been a focus of attention during the unprecedented gathering of political leaders at the Millennium Summit, he recalled. The Declaration had committed world leaders to eliminating the increasing acts of racism and to promoting tolerance. It was a good basis for the action-oriented measures against racism that would come from the World Conference.
Awareness-raising was not enough against the scourge of racism, he concluded. Decisive actions at the national, regional and international levels were needed to help those suffering on a daily basis from racial discrimination. In addition, the origins and causes of racism in society needed to be fully understood. All actors should be actively involved in identifying those causes. They should be examined with special attention to the situation of children and youths and with a gender-based approach.
MONICA MARTINEZ (Ecuador) said it was no surprise that the first world conference of the new century would concern racism. Ecuador supported both the World Conference and the work of the Committee to eliminate racism. It was actively participating in regional forums. An ad hoc national coordination committee had been set up. In addition, Ecuador had communicated ideas for inclusion in the Conference draft programme of action.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her capacity as head of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference, should focus on concrete preparatory steps. Technical assistance should be provided to enable all countries to participate. A database on human rights issues related to racism should be established. Contacts should be made with regional financial bodies to compile material on aspects of racism. And, finally, an appeal should be launched immediately by the Office to solicit both contributions and the participation of governments.
TOM TYRIHJELL (Norway) said that racism and discrimination were among the most serious violations of human rights. Those were global problems, affecting every nation, and therefore all members of the international community could take lessons from one another about their respective struggles to combat those scourges. Norway was no exception, he said. Although there were laws to ensure equal rights for everyone, discrimination still occurred every day in many sectors of society. Tolerance of diversity and divergence from the norm had been difficult to promote. However, the overriding goal of Norwegian legislation was to ensure equal opportunities, equal rights and equal participation for all. Two Plans of Action, one aimed at combating racism and another aimed at promotion of human rights, now provided the political framework and direction for the Government’s efforts to address those challenges. He added that the global mandate of the United Nations and its relevant agencies also offered an appropriate framework for combating racism.
Turning to the upcoming World Conference, he said that important event would only be beneficial if the international community committed itself to a successful outcome. An ambitious objective of the Conference was the action-oriented notion of putting “people” at the centre of a “people’s world conference”. It was also a sound approach for Member States to include the participation of non-governmental organizations and civil actors in their preparations. It would also be important to engage in a dialogue with victims of discrimination. Norway had been active in its own preparations for the Conference at the country and regional levels. He noted that in a National Preparatory Committee, 70 non-governmental organizations and institutions representing a variety of grass-roots level experiences had participated in the discussions and deliberations. He also noted that discrimination against the Roma/Sita was a serious human rights issue that needed to be addressed at the Conference. Finally, he was pleased to note that indigenous peoples had been invited to participate actively in the Conference.
ATSUKO NISHIMURA (Japan) said that with less than a year to go before the World Conference on Racism, it was high time to strengthen concerted efforts to make it a success. She thanked South Africa for offering to host the Conference, and said that the national experience in that country would only benefit the international community’s joint endeavour to fight against racism and racial discrimination. It was her delegation’s strong hope that the World Conference would adopt a declaration and plan of action that contained concrete and practical recommendations. She also hoped that discussion in the preparatory process would focus on the fight against racism and discrimination as the one of the gravest violations of human rights. It was necessary to remember that efforts to prevent racial discrimination should also be considered along with efforts to eliminate it all together. In that regard, education and awareness-raising played a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding and tolerance among different races and ethnic groups.
She next turned to highlight some of the activities undertaken by her Government in the area of promoting racial harmony. Under a national Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, adopted in 1997, human rights education had been promoted from elementary school to the university level, as well as in communities through adult education. As an example of awareness-raising, she said that full texts of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination had been translated into Japanese and distributed throughout the country, through local governments, public libraries and non-governmental organizations. On the issue of the right to self-determination, she said that inalienable right had been recognized by the United Nations Charter.
MOHAMMAD HASSAN FADAIFARD (Iran) said it was time to take concrete and comprehensive measures against the horrors of racism and related intolerance, which existed in various forms and manifestations in different parts of the globe – with the climate of intolerance particularly strong in some areas. However, he added, "People are not racists by birth. A primary cause of racism is ignorance."
He said the five themes adopted for the World Conference agenda provided a comprehensive platform. Those themes were: to combat modern manifestations of racism; to reduce ethnic tensions and prevent ethnic and racial conflicts; to assess the economic impacts of racism; discrimination against migrants and other vulnerable transients; the rights of indigenous peoples; and the role of the communications revolution. Those issues should be addressed in an action-oriented manner.
While racism was anathema to the traditional Asian culture, he said, Asians had often been victims of racism. Values associated with cultural diversity, tolerance and respect for differences should be inculcated. Awareness-raising was an important means of preventing racism and intolerance, but the appropriate resources must be dedicated in context of the influence that new technologies could exert -– either for educating and changing attitudes for the better or for propagating theories of racial superiority and hatred.
The dangerous spread of prejudice against Islam and Muslims was of particular concern to his country, he said. As Chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iran expected the question to be thoroughly addressed at the World Conference. Regional preparatory meetings would contribute significantly, including the Asian Regional Preparatory Conference, to be held in February 2001 in Tehran.
IBRA DEGUENE KA (Senegal), speaking also on behalf of Burkina Faso, Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Niger, Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Kenya, acknowledged the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the World Conference, Claude Absa Siallo, who had accompanied him to today's deliberations. He said that at a time when the United Nations was promoting dialogue among nations, it was intolerable that racism and related attitudes should persist. All means should be used to combat such attitudes and practices.
He said all forms of racism, particularly racist violence, must be condemned. That applied to activities and doctrines regardless of whether they occurred in Europe or Africa and regardless of the group against which they were aimed, including migrants and their families. The Programme of Action for the Third Decade would end in 2003, but the lack of interest in its activities was deplorable. He called for the implementation of all measures, including legal ones, to be used in carrying out the steps called for, including those regarding compensations and other remedies. Not only the United Nations machinery but other international machinery should be employed. He regretted that in the provisional agenda for the World Conference consensus had not been reached on the theme of remedies to be provided.
Regional preparatory processes were crucial the success of the Conference, he concluded. All relevant groups should be recruited to participate, such as associations for youths. In his region, countries both individually and collectively were committed to the regional conference that would take place in Dakar.
SOMAIA BARGHOUTI, observer for Palestine, said racism and racial discrimination continued to be two of the most serious violations of human rights. In the 35 years since the adoption of the Convention on the elimination of racism, and three years before the end of the Decade to combat racism, the international community must ask itself how much longer until it could fully achieve one of the main objectives of the United Nations Charter -- the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Looking at the world today, it was clear that there had been real efforts to combat various forms of racial discrimination. The elimination of apartheid in South Africa was but one such effort. The fact remained, however, that many people throughout the world still suffered from hardship, discrimination, inequality and denial of their human rights. The international community should therefore exert every effort to combat all forms of racism and to enact concrete measures to eradicate the phenomenon.
Human rights violations remained a constant feature of the life of the Palestinian people. They continued to live under Israeli occupation and their human rights were violated daily. Foreign occupation itself was the antithesis of equality, democracy and tolerance. At the same time, it was not only the Palestinian people living in the occupied Palestinian territory that suffered from violations of their rights. The Israeli Arabs -- citizens of the State of Israel -- were treated as second-class citizens and did not enjoy the same rights as Jews living in Israel.
She said that her delegation would closely follow the preparations for the World Conference. That Conference would give the international community the opportunity to address and confront the challenges and problems facing people around the world who were denied their inherent human rights. She hoped that every effort would be made to ensure its success. The adoption of action-oriented and forward-looking recommendations would be a major step towards achieving equality, democracy and tolerance.
The representative of Kuwait took the floor after the observer for Palestine, who was the morning’s last scheduled speaker. He offered clarifications on the report of the Special Rapporteur to combat contemporary forms of racism. He said that his country had established a committee to deal with problems of nationality, and that over 1,000 persons had received Kuwaiti nationality just a few days ago. Kuwait had also organized the entry of migrant workers, in cooperation with their own authorities. That ensured that they would not enter Kuwait without proper contracts. Those workers were only deported when they were found in violation of working conditions or their work expired. The representative also expressed his country's full support and cooperation with the work of the Special Rapporteur.
* *** *
Third Committee
26th Meeting (AM)
18 October 2000
Awareness-raising was not enough to combat the scourge of racism, the "Group of 77" developing countries and China told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning as it began considering racism and self- determination. Speaking on the Group’s behalf was the representative of Nigeria, who called for action-oriented measures as an outcome of the World Conference on Racism, to be held in South Africa during 2001.
Nigeria's representative said racism had been a focus of the Millennium Summit. The Declaration had committed world leaders to eliminating it and promoting tolerance. The Declaration was a good basis for decisive actions to be taken at the national, regional and international levels in preparing for the Conference.
The European Union, through the representative of France, noted that its recent preparatory meeting in Strasbourg for the World Conference had taken place within the framework of the Council of Europe. That regional organization for promoting human rights had focused on how to move from theory to practice in promoting tolerance. National policies and action plans had emerged to protect particularly vulnerable groups.
The representative of Iran expressed concern at the spread of prejudice against Islam and Muslims. As Chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, his country would draw attention to it at the World Conference. The Asian Regional Preparatory Conference would be held in February 2001 in Tehran.
Opening the debate, a number of guests introduced the reports before the Committee. Jyoti Shankar Singh, Executive Coordinator for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, introduced the reports of the Conference Preparatory Committee and of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He also introduced the Secretary-General's reports on the status of the Convention on eliminating racial discrimination and on the financial situation of the racial discrimination Committee.
Enrique Bernale Ballesteros, the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries, introduced the Secretary-General's report on the right of self-determination and his own report on the use of mercenaries to impede the right of self-determination.
Maurice Glele-Ahahanzo, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, introduced the report on his findings.
Taking part in a dialogue with the Committee's guests were the representatives of Libya, France, Cuba, Iraq, Angola, Austria and Namibia. The representative of Kuwait made a clarification.
Also making statements on issues related to racism and self-determination were the representatives of Ecuador, Norway, Japan and Senegal.
The observer for Palestine made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 19 October, to continue its consideration of issues related to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, along with the right of peoples to self-determination.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to begin considering issues related to racism and to self-determination.
The Committee has before it the relevant section of the Economic and Social Council's 2000 report. Also, before the Committee, is a report by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (to be issued, with an addendum). The Secretary-General's report on the Committee's financial situation is before the Committee, as is his report on the status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. A note by the Secretary- General transmits the interim report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights regarding measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and related intolerance.
A report of the Commission on Human Rights, acting as the preparatory committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (2001), is before the Committee. The Secretary-General's report on preparations for the World Conference also reports on implementing the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003).
In addition, the Committee has before it the Secretary-General's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination. A note by him transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the use of mercenaries to impede the right of self-determination.
The 2000 Economic and Social Council report (document A/55/3) states that no proposals were submitted under the sub-item of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
Concerning the Status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (document A/55/203), the Secretary-General notes that, as of 30 June, the Convention had been ratified or acceded to by 156 States parties. The report contains an annex which lists those States as well as the dates when they signed, ratified, or acceded to the Convention.
According to the report, also as of 30 June, 30 States parties to the Convention had made the declaration provided for under article 14, recognizing the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to receive and consider communications from individuals or groups of individuals within their jurisdiction claiming to be victims of violation by those States parties of any of the rights set forth in the Convention.
The Secretary-General's report on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/55/266) recalled the Committee's mandate and reported on two regular sessions during 1999 and 2000. Financing for those sessions had come from the regular budget and no State party assessments were made in 1999 or 2000. However, a number of States were in arrears from non-payment of previous assessments. As at 30 June, the total outstanding arrears amounted to $173,572.
Annex I of the report outlines the status of the amendment to the Convention's article 8 on financing of the Committee's sessions. Annex II lists the status of the Committee's contributions as at 30 June.
On the preparatory process for the 2001 World Conference against Racism and the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism (document A/55/285), the Secretary-General reports that the Preparatory Committee had met for its first formal session in Geneva during May. It had accepted South Africa's invitation to host the Conference from 31 August to 7 September 2001. A draft declaration and programme of action for the Conference were recommended to be adopted by the Assembly, along with a proposal to establish an intersessional working group that would meet in Geneva during January 2001. The Preparatory Committee further recommended that its second session in 2001 be extended up to five working days.
The report outlines the documentation presented to the Preparatory Committee, including results of an expert seminar on racism, refugees and multi- ethnic States held in the context of the revised Programme of Action for the Third Decade against Racism, held in Geneva from 6 to 8 December 1999. Other documentation included outputs from seminars, reports, questionnaires, committees and special rapporteurs. Activities of the Commission on Human Rights included the appointment of an 11-member Bureau for the two sessions of the Preparatory Committee and the initiation of a World Conference information campaign.
The report also covers coordination and liaison activities, as well as an outline of future meetings and proposals for ensuring resources. Annexes graphically present the status of the Trust Fund for the Third Decade's Programme of Action and of the World Conference's Fund for Voluntary Contributions.
A note by the Secretary-General transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/55/304), in response to a profound concern about the increase in racial and xenophobic violence in many parts of the world. The report concludes that while the incidence of violent manifestations of racism has been on the decline since 1997, there had recently been an alarming resurgence in a number of countries, chiefly as a result of the renewed activities of far-right, neo-Nazi and skinhead organizations. It also concludes that the Internet continues to be the preferred medium for incitement to racial hatred and dissemination of racist and xenophobic ideas, and that increasingly commonplace everyday racism can be uncovered when detection mechanisms -- such as toll-free telephone numbers -- are introduced.
Accordingly, in addition to workshops already held on the subject, the Special Rapporteur strongly recommends the holding of international consultations at the governmental level, with a view to regulating the use of the Internet and harmonizing criminal legislation on the use of the Internet for racist purposes. Support should be given to initiatives designed to use the Internet to create and develop a culture centred on respect for all mankind without distinction. The Special Rapporteur also suggested to the Assembly that it continue to mobilize public opinion against the various forms of racism, and that it make Member States and the various organizations aware of the importance of the World Conference on Racism to be held in 2001. He also urged States that have not ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to do so prior to the Conference.
The report also notes that the Special Rapporteur expressed grave concern at certain specific manifestations of racial discrimination and drew attention to the accession to power in Austria of the Freedom Party; the attacks on migrant workers from North Africa in the town of El Ejido in southern Spain; and the case of Amadou Diallo, who died after being shot 41 times by members of the New York City Police Department. The Special Rapporteur called on the Commission to pay close attention to the phenomenon of the presence of xenophobic or racist parties within governments, since that appeared to be an attempt to normalize such parties. According to the report, subtle forms of racism persist in people's everyday lives in several countries. Ethnocentrism and political exploitation of ethnicity are increasing disturbingly in various parts of the world, particularly in Africa's Great Lakes region and in Indonesia, where inter-ethnic wars continue and threats of ethnic warfare have arisen against a political backdrop.
The report on the first session (1-5 May) of the Commission on Human Rights acting as the preparatory committee for the World Conference on Racism and related intolerance (document A/55/307) describes the procedures and participants of the session. It also describes adoption of the organization of work for the Preparatory Committee's second session, to be held in 2001.
Annexes to the report contain decisions adopted during the first session, concerning such matters as accreditation, financial assistance and themes for the provisional agenda; documentation issued for the first session; provisional rules of procedure; and other procedural matters.
The Secretary-General's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination (document A/55/176) states that the Commission on Human Rights adopted three resolutions concerning the right of self-determination. One, on the question of Western Sahara, stated that implementation of a settlement plan was progressing satisfactorily and it urged implementation of the Secretary-General's package of measures for proceeding. Another, on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights, highlighted the need to carry out studies and disseminate information on the adverse effects of mercenary activities on human rights, particularly on the exercise of the right of peoples to self- determination. Noting that mercenary activities had increased and taken on new forms, the Commission decided to convene a workshop on the matter prior to the Assembly's current session. A third resolution reaffirmed the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, including the option of a State.
An addendum to the report on the right of peoples to self-determination (document A/55/176/Add.1) summarizes information received in response to the Secretary-General's note verbale drawing attention to General Assembly resolution 54/155 on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination. The views of Pakistan, Lebanon and Libya are included.
A note by the Secretary-General transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries to violate human rights and impede exercise of a people’s right to self-determination (document A/55/334). The report concludes that no significant progress has been observed in cutting down the number of mercenary activities, which are carried out in particular through armed conflicts where some or all of the parties hire mercenaries to boost their military might. The report also concludes that limitations and shortcomings of the legal definition of mercenaries -- primarily focused on professional services that are paid to recruit soldiers to intervene in armed conflict in a country other than their own -- have been underscored by the fact that the number of mercenary activities has not diminished, and that international efforts to prevent and prosecute such activities have been inadequate. In view of that problem, it was recommended that the Assembly reiterate that priority should be given to convening expert meetings and other mechanisms to consider proposals on the subject and that those suggestions be made available as soon as possible.
The report further concludes that various African countries continued to be affected by armed conflicts involving mercenaries. The interests of third parties, particularly their desire to control the valuable natural resources of African countries, are the causes of instability and armed conflicts in which mercenaries are used. In view of those facts, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Assembly should, in addition to condemning mercenary activities, declare its willingness to strengthen all those national, regional and international mechanisms that can be used to put an end to mercenaries in Africa. The Assembly should also call for the establishment of a system to provide special protection for Africa's natural resources, especially diamonds and oil.
The report further recommends, in light of the Special Rapporteur's follow-up visit in 1999, that in view of the tragic experience in Cuba as a result of the 1997 attacks on that country by mercenaries recruited, trained, financed and directed from outside that country, the Assembly should remind all Member States that their territories may not be used to recruit or train mercenaries or to finance such operations. The Assembly should further remind States of their obligation to prohibit, prosecute and punish all mercenary activities and to investigate, punish or, if necessary, extradite perpetrators of, or masterminds behind mercenary attacks who seek refuge in a country other than the affected country.
According to the report, mercenaries, whatever their origin, are a danger to the peoples who are subjected to their activities. Empirical evidence also showed that mercenarism works against peace, political stability, and respect for the rule of law and democracy. Despite all this, in the nearly 11 years since the Assembly adopted the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, only 20 States have so far agreed to be bound by it. Ratification by only two more States was needed to bring the Convention into force. It was recommended that the Assembly should encourage Member States to accede to the Convention as soon as possible.
Introductory Statements
JYOTI SHANKAR SINGH, Executive Coordinator for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the Committee on the events surrounding the upcoming World Conference and implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism. Firstly, he stressed that the World Conference would offer the opportunity to examine and make recommendations on a wide range of issues that were of utmost relevance today, including ethnic cleansing, the re-emergence of contemporary forms of slavery, trafficking in humans and new and more subtle forms of racism. He went on to say that preparations for the World Conference were gaining momentum and that the Government of South Africa, set to host the Conference, would soon announce the site. Shortly after the site was announced he would head to that country to work out further details. Finally, he informed the Committee that his Office needed extra-budgetary funding to organize a successful Conference. While $4 million had been raised during the year, the High Commissioner sought to raise another $6 million for the Conference in her annual appeal for 2001.
The Executive Coordinator then introduced several documents that were before the Committee. They included the report on the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference; the Secretary-General’s report on the Preparatory Committee for the Conference; and three documents which concerned the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Those included the report on the work of the Committee; the Secretary-General’s report on the status of the Convention on the elimination of racism; and the Secretary-General’s report on the Committee’s financial situation.
ENRIQUE BERNALE BALLESTEROS, Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries, then introduced his report on the use of mercenaries to violate human rights, as well as the report on the right of peoples to self-determination. He began his statement by noting that it would have been much easier to compile the information for the report if the outcome of various experts meetings on mercenary activities held throughout the reporting period had been made available to him. He insisted that, in order to fulfil the mandate handed down by the General Assembly, access to that information would be essential in the future. Turning to the report on the use of mercenaries, he stated that the international community had a priority need to correct the limitations and shortcomings of the legal definition of mercenaries, in order to enhance and expand the mechanisms used to punish and prosecute such individuals and those that hired them.
MAURICE GLELE-AHANHANZO, Special Rapporteur on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, introduced the report on that issue. He said that there had been a shocking rise in violent acts and ideologies which challenged the fundamental values of human rights today. Violent manifestations of all forms of racism had recently re-emerged in an alarming manner in a number of countries, in particular in Africa (Great Lakes region) and in Asia (Indonesia). Ethnocentrism and the political exploitation of ethnicity were also on the rise. He also noted increased activity by extreme-right wing and neo-Nazi groups. He highlighted several incidents that had drawn his attention during the reporting period, including the success of the Freedom Party in Austria, the rise of racist propaganda on the Internet, and the victimization of blacks in Libya.
Question and Answer Session
The representative of Libya said no racist coloration could legitimately be attributed to certain actions taken by her Government. Racism was not a single act but a systematic series of acts undertaken by governments. There was no victimization or “tracking” of blacks in her country, as had been alleged. Some people who were criminals in their own countries had been extradited back from Libya, following criminal actions. Her Government, she said, would respond directly to the Special Rapporteur on racism. She added that poverty existed in all countries -- and was fed on a global level by the policies of the World Bank and by such deprivations of human rights as the shipping of dangerous wastes to poor countries by industrialized States. Did modern communication of values through the mass media activate racism? Did globalization lead to it? she asked.
The representative of France noted the Special Rapporteur's observation that no continent was free of racism. Was he following regional preparatory activities for the World Conference? What was there to say about the new forms of racism, such as ethnically or economically based racism? What preparatory actions could be taken for the World Conference with regard to education?
When would the expert seminar on mercenaries be held, Cuba's representative asked. Would the Special Rapporteur on mercenaries take part? Cuba was always willing to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, she added, but the reports should be made openly available in the interests of transparency. Another Cuban representative said the most serious forms of racism occurred in the North. The reports should look more seriously at the roots of racism, which was a way to marginalize societies by excluding certain people. Compensation should be paid to the victims of racism, just as compensation had recently been made to Holocaust victims. After all, capitalist slavery had been practised for many hundreds of years. Compensation would help African countries develop.
Iraq's representative referred to the profanation of sacred sites noted by the Special Rapporteur on racism. When a known Israeli agitator visited a sacred site as had happened recently in Al-Haram Al-Sharif -- it caused hundreds of deaths and injuries. The repercussions were still occurring. When would the Special Rapporteur's report make note of such actions?
The representative of Angola noted a mistake in several versions of the report on mercenaries in a reference to her country's affiliations.
Austria's representative said the findings of independent experts were not fully in line with actuality. Austria had not been informed of the Special Rapporteur's concerns over racism in Austria. It would be gratified if such information were forthcoming.
Finally, the representative of Namibia said there was an erroneous reference to her country in the report on mercenaries. Her country did not support rebels, but supported the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Responses by Special Rapporteurs
In response to questions by the representatives of Namibia and Angola, Special Rapporteur Bernale Ballesteros, in a clarification of certain paragraphs of the report on the use of mercenaries, said that the text he had drafted stated that armed forces of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo -– not the rebels in that region -- had the support of Namibia and Angola. He apologized if there had been mistakes in the translation of the report.
In response to a statement by the representative of Libya, Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, Special Rapporteur on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, said that the situation was quite simple: cases of discrimination against blacks in that country were reported in the media every day. As a representative of the human rights community, he could not make a presentation on racism before the Committee without discussing that particular situation. When there were manifestations of racism, he must speak out against them. He had not called the Government’s actions into question, he had only said that he deplored the situation of blacks in the country. As far as he knew, the Government was not involved. However, it should take the necessary steps against those outbreaks of xenophobia.
Turning to the issue of poverty, he said that there was a Special Rapporteur assigned to deal with that issue as well as with the sources of poverty in the face of social inequality. From what he could tell, however, immigrants or indigenous populations were the groups that suffered most from a convergence of the phenomena of poverty and racism.
He went on to say that education was perhaps the key to combating all forms of racism. Inter-ethnic conflicts and exploitation of ethnicity persisted primarily due to a lack of education. It was important to promote education with a human rights focus, particularly at the primary and secondary levels. Respect for cultural and ethnic diversity should also be stressed. In that regard, he said that the Commission on Human Rights and relevant United Nations agencies had cooperated closely to produce a model text on racism and racist attitudes that he took along with him on missions. He would ask governments if they had moved to ratify the Convention on the elimination of racism, and if the answer was no, he would present the model and suggest integrating its ideas into State policies that might spur action.
As for the role of the media, he said that racism had always existed, but now that the mass media were so powerful even the smallest incidents were widely reported. Do we not want the media to inform us of incidents of racism? he asked the Committee. The media were essential in awareness-raising. That was particularly true now that subtler forms of racism had become prevalent.
Next he highlighted some of his activities during the preparatory process of the World Conference on Racism. He had, among other things, attended a conference in Addis Ababa on racial and ethnic conflict in Africa. On the recent events in Jerusalem, he said that while that was certainly a painful issue, it was one that was outside his mandate. Next week, when the Committee took up religious intolerance, there would be someone present to discuss that particular issue more fully. To questions by the representative of Austria, he said that he had read the reports on the Freedom Party, and the decision remained that it was indeed xenophobic.
Statements
YVES DOUTRIAUX (France), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that combating racism was a burning issue on the international agenda. The upcoming World Conference would be an important step in identifying ways to address that scourge at all levels. The European Union had been actively involved in the preparatory process for the Conference, and its States members had agreed that broad cooperation was the only way to combat racism in all its forms. He called on all Member States to take the opportunities the World Conference would present to ensure future generations a better world.
He went to say it was essential that preparations for the Conference should take into account the sufferings of the past. But discussions should also look to opening up a new era, focusing on education, protection and the establishment of new mechanisms of recourse. He hoped that the action plan adopted by the Conference would create the legal framework for combating racism, promoting the establishment of policies, and enhancing international cooperation. He looked forward as well to reports from upcoming regional preparatory conferences. It was also important to note the importance of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process. The fight against racism should not involve governments alone.
He was also pleased to report that the European Union’s preparations for the Conference had taken place within the framework of the Council of Europe, a regional organization playing a key role in the promotion of human rights. The Council had presented its views at the recent Strasbourg Conference “All different, all equal: from theory to practice”. Member States of the Council undertook to adopt measures to combat all forms of racism to which the Union fully subscribed.
Out of the Council’s deliberations had also come political measures aimed at the implementation of national policies and action plans and the protection of particularly vulnerable groups. It was a priority for regional organizations in Europe to promote and protect respect for cultural diversity in education. The Union’s position was based on its strong belief that racism should be actively fought in order to achieve its total elimination, and that non-discrimination was central to human rights. Regardless of the reasons motivating them, acts of racism were an attack against human rights and should therefore be condemned. The efforts of governments should be supported by those of civil society. Racism persisted in multiple forms, such as denial of access to services and discriminatory hiring practices. He said that the World Conference would be a unique opportunity to demonstrate a common will to act.
M.K. IBRAHIM (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the timing of the 2001 World Conference on Racism was appropriate, since the growing incidence of racism and racial discrimination had been attracting international concern. The success of the Conference would depend on effective preparations. The regional preparatory meeting by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, was welcome, as were those planned in Dakar, Senegal, Santiago, Chile and Tehran. Racism was an affront to the guiding principles of the United Nations and negated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The horrors of racism ranged from slavery to the Holocaust to apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Those had deeply wounded millions of people around the world. The problem persisted despite efforts to combat it, not just as the root cause of conflicts but as a fueling agent for those conflicts. The campaigns of ethnic cleansing and genocide by a re-emerging far right in Europe were new forms of old race hatreds. Refugees, racial minorities, migrant workers, asylum seekers, the Roma and indigenous peoples were persistent targets of intolerance. The print and electronic media, along with new communication technologies such as the Internet, were disseminating messages of racial hatred and inciting violence. Communications experts should be included in preparatory activities and in the Conference itself to devise strategies for addressing that new dimension to the problem.
Racism had been a focus of attention during the unprecedented gathering of political leaders at the Millennium Summit, he recalled. The Declaration had committed world leaders to eliminating the increasing acts of racism and to promoting tolerance. It was a good basis for the action-oriented measures against racism that would come from the World Conference.
Awareness-raising was not enough against the scourge of racism, he concluded. Decisive actions at the national, regional and international levels were needed to help those suffering on a daily basis from racial discrimination. In addition, the origins and causes of racism in society needed to be fully understood. All actors should be actively involved in identifying those causes. They should be examined with special attention to the situation of children and youths and with a gender-based approach.
MONICA MARTINEZ (Ecuador) said it was no surprise that the first world conference of the new century would concern racism. Ecuador supported both the World Conference and the work of the Committee to eliminate racism. It was actively participating in regional forums. An ad hoc national coordination committee had been set up. In addition, Ecuador had communicated ideas for inclusion in the Conference draft programme of action.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her capacity as head of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference, should focus on concrete preparatory steps. Technical assistance should be provided to enable all countries to participate. A database on human rights issues related to racism should be established. Contacts should be made with regional financial bodies to compile material on aspects of racism. And, finally, an appeal should be launched immediately by the Office to solicit both contributions and the participation of governments.
TOM TYRIHJELL (Norway) said that racism and discrimination were among the most serious violations of human rights. Those were global problems, affecting every nation, and therefore all members of the international community could take lessons from one another about their respective struggles to combat those scourges. Norway was no exception, he said. Although there were laws to ensure equal rights for everyone, discrimination still occurred every day in many sectors of society. Tolerance of diversity and divergence from the norm had been difficult to promote. However, the overriding goal of Norwegian legislation was to ensure equal opportunities, equal rights and equal participation for all. Two Plans of Action, one aimed at combating racism and another aimed at promotion of human rights, now provided the political framework and direction for the Government’s efforts to address those challenges. He added that the global mandate of the United Nations and its relevant agencies also offered an appropriate framework for combating racism.
Turning to the upcoming World Conference, he said that important event would only be beneficial if the international community committed itself to a successful outcome. An ambitious objective of the Conference was the action-oriented notion of putting “people” at the centre of a “people’s world conference”. It was also a sound approach for Member States to include the participation of non-governmental organizations and civil actors in their preparations. It would also be important to engage in a dialogue with victims of discrimination. Norway had been active in its own preparations for the Conference at the country and regional levels. He noted that in a National Preparatory Committee, 70 non-governmental organizations and institutions representing a variety of grass-roots level experiences had participated in the discussions and deliberations. He also noted that discrimination against the Roma/Sita was a serious human rights issue that needed to be addressed at the Conference. Finally, he was pleased to note that indigenous peoples had been invited to participate actively in the Conference.
ATSUKO NISHIMURA (Japan) said that with less than a year to go before the World Conference on Racism, it was high time to strengthen concerted efforts to make it a success. She thanked South Africa for offering to host the Conference, and said that the national experience in that country would only benefit the international community’s joint endeavour to fight against racism and racial discrimination. It was her delegation’s strong hope that the World Conference would adopt a declaration and plan of action that contained concrete and practical recommendations. She also hoped that discussion in the preparatory process would focus on the fight against racism and discrimination as the one of the gravest violations of human rights. It was necessary to remember that efforts to prevent racial discrimination should also be considered along with efforts to eliminate it all together. In that regard, education and awareness-raising played a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding and tolerance among different races and ethnic groups.
She next turned to highlight some of the activities undertaken by her Government in the area of promoting racial harmony. Under a national Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, adopted in 1997, human rights education had been promoted from elementary school to the university level, as well as in communities through adult education. As an example of awareness-raising, she said that full texts of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination had been translated into Japanese and distributed throughout the country, through local governments, public libraries and non-governmental organizations. On the issue of the right to self-determination, she said that inalienable right had been recognized by the United Nations Charter.
MOHAMMAD HASSAN FADAIFARD (Iran) said it was time to take concrete and comprehensive measures against the horrors of racism and related intolerance, which existed in various forms and manifestations in different parts of the globe – with the climate of intolerance particularly strong in some areas. However, he added, "People are not racists by birth. A primary cause of racism is ignorance."
He said the five themes adopted for the World Conference agenda provided a comprehensive platform. Those themes were: to combat modern manifestations of racism; to reduce ethnic tensions and prevent ethnic and racial conflicts; to assess the economic impacts of racism; discrimination against migrants and other vulnerable transients; the rights of indigenous peoples; and the role of the communications revolution. Those issues should be addressed in an action-oriented manner.
While racism was anathema to the traditional Asian culture, he said, Asians had often been victims of racism. Values associated with cultural diversity, tolerance and respect for differences should be inculcated. Awareness-raising was an important means of preventing racism and intolerance, but the appropriate resources must be dedicated in context of the influence that new technologies could exert -– either for educating and changing attitudes for the better or for propagating theories of racial superiority and hatred.
The dangerous spread of prejudice against Islam and Muslims was of particular concern to his country, he said. As Chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iran expected the question to be thoroughly addressed at the World Conference. Regional preparatory meetings would contribute significantly, including the Asian Regional Preparatory Conference, to be held in February 2001 in Tehran.
IBRA DEGUENE KA (Senegal), speaking also on behalf of Burkina Faso, Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Niger, Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Kenya, acknowledged the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the World Conference, Claude Absa Siallo, who had accompanied him to today's deliberations. He said that at a time when the United Nations was promoting dialogue among nations, it was intolerable that racism and related attitudes should persist. All means should be used to combat such attitudes and practices.
He said all forms of racism, particularly racist violence, must be condemned. That applied to activities and doctrines regardless of whether they occurred in Europe or Africa and regardless of the group against which they were aimed, including migrants and their families. The Programme of Action for the Third Decade would end in 2003, but the lack of interest in its activities was deplorable. He called for the implementation of all measures, including legal ones, to be used in carrying out the steps called for, including those regarding compensations and other remedies. Not only the United Nations machinery but other international machinery should be employed. He regretted that in the provisional agenda for the World Conference consensus had not been reached on the theme of remedies to be provided.
Regional preparatory processes were crucial the success of the Conference, he concluded. All relevant groups should be recruited to participate, such as associations for youths. In his region, countries both individually and collectively were committed to the regional conference that would take place in Dakar.
SOMAIA BARGHOUTI, observer for Palestine, said racism and racial discrimination continued to be two of the most serious violations of human rights. In the 35 years since the adoption of the Convention on the elimination of racism, and three years before the end of the Decade to combat racism, the international community must ask itself how much longer until it could fully achieve one of the main objectives of the United Nations Charter -- the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Looking at the world today, it was clear that there had been real efforts to combat various forms of racial discrimination. The elimination of apartheid in South Africa was but one such effort. The fact remained, however, that many people throughout the world still suffered from hardship, discrimination, inequality and denial of their human rights. The international community should therefore exert every effort to combat all forms of racism and to enact concrete measures to eradicate the phenomenon.
Human rights violations remained a constant feature of the life of the Palestinian people. They continued to live under Israeli occupation and their human rights were violated daily. Foreign occupation itself was the antithesis of equality, democracy and tolerance. At the same time, it was not only the Palestinian people living in the occupied Palestinian territory that suffered from violations of their rights. The Israeli Arabs -- citizens of the State of Israel -- were treated as second-class citizens and did not enjoy the same rights as Jews living in Israel.
She said that her delegation would closely follow the preparations for the World Conference. That Conference would give the international community the opportunity to address and confront the challenges and problems facing people around the world who were denied their inherent human rights. She hoped that every effort would be made to ensure its success. The adoption of action-oriented and forward-looking recommendations would be a major step towards achieving equality, democracy and tolerance.
The representative of Kuwait took the floor after the observer for Palestine, who was the morning’s last scheduled speaker. He offered clarifications on the report of the Special Rapporteur to combat contemporary forms of racism. He said that his country had established a committee to deal with problems of nationality, and that over 1,000 persons had received Kuwaiti nationality just a few days ago. Kuwait had also organized the entry of migrant workers, in cooperation with their own authorities. That ensured that they would not enter Kuwait without proper contracts. Those workers were only deported when they were found in violation of working conditions or their work expired. The representative also expressed his country's full support and cooperation with the work of the Special Rapporteur.
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