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18 January 2000
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MORNING
HR/CRC/00/13
18 January 2000
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADDRESSES
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD
Racism, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance are at the Root of World's Recent Cruel Conflicts, Mary Robinson Says
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson this morning told the members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance were at the root of many of the world's recent and more cruel conflicts. Children were amongst those who suffered most severely the consequences of ethnic discrimination and were also the most innocent victims of the conflicts it provoked.
In her remarks to the Committee, the High Commissioner focussed on the preparation process of the forthcoming Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which will take place in South Africa at the end of August of next year.
Mrs. Robinson said she agreed with those who believed that the fight against racism was one of the most effective preventive measures that could be envisaged. She said that the forthcoming World Conference was meant to provide an opportunity to find a new vision for the new bright century, to review the international community's thinking and to renew its commitment to the total eradication of racism.
Following the High Commissioner's statement, Committee members said that the Committee's contribution was important to the success of the Conference.
When the Committee reconvenes in public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 20January, it will take up the initial report of Armenia.
Statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
MARY ROBINSON, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, thanked the Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Awa N'Deye Ouedraogo, for her willingness to participate in the first technical assistance activity which took place in Haiti under the Plan of Action in December, with the assistance of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Civilian Mission in Haiti.
Mrs. Robinson drew the attention of the members of the Committee to the preparations now underway for the holding of the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which will take place in South Africa at the end of August of next year. She said she wanted to discuss the request that the Committee consider ways in which it could make a contribution to that process.
Mrs. Robinson said that she had been trying to emphasize in all her recent public appearances the need to give more attention and resources to the prevention of human rights violations. She said she agreed with those who believed that the fight against racism was one of the most effective preventive measures that could be envisaged. Racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance were at the root of many of the world's recent and more cruel conflicts. Children were amongst those who suffered most severely the consequences of ethnic discrimination and were also the most innocent victims of the conflicts it provoked.
The High Commissioner said that the forthcoming World Conference, which was the third of its kind, was meant to provide an opportunity to a new vision for the new bright century, to review the international community's thinking and to renew its commitment to the total eradication of racism. Children held the key to changing the future; if children could be free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin, the greatest contribution would have been made to the prevention of human rights abuses of any other type, for the children of today and for the adults of tomorrow.
For the Conference to be successful, it needed the wholehearted support of all key actors, Mrs. Robinson went on to state. While the holding of the Conference could not be an end in itself, its contribution to the struggle to combat racism and xenophobia in all their forms would give an opportunity to take stock and to redouble efforts in the new millennium. She said she had already said that she considered women and young people to have a key role to play in taking initiatives that would help in building a multi-cultural world where all races and ethnic groups could coexist peacefully.
Discussion
Following the statement, a member of the Committee recalled that the Committee found itself in a very difficult situation concerning its consideration of country reports. While the Committee was supposed to consider 50 periodic and initial reports per year, it was only able to consider 24 reports annually. In order to increase the number of Committee members from 10 to 18, the ratification of 120 States parties was needed. At present, the ratification of 49 States parties was still lacking to put the amendment into force. It was necessary that the 49 missing ramifications be fulfilled before the next Committee elections in 2001.
Concerning the contribution to the preparatory process of the Conference, the Committee's discussion was at the preliminary stage, another expert said. The expert said that the Committee would contribute to the preparatory process on the issues concerning children of minorities and migrant workers. The participation of children in the Conference was also recommended by some experts.
Mrs. Robinson said that following the Commission on Human Rights, the first preparatory meeting for the Third World Conference would be held in May in Geneva.
HR/CRC/00/13
18 January 2000
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADDRESSES
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD
Racism, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance are at the Root of World's Recent Cruel Conflicts, Mary Robinson Says
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson this morning told the members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance were at the root of many of the world's recent and more cruel conflicts. Children were amongst those who suffered most severely the consequences of ethnic discrimination and were also the most innocent victims of the conflicts it provoked.
In her remarks to the Committee, the High Commissioner focussed on the preparation process of the forthcoming Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which will take place in South Africa at the end of August of next year.
Mrs. Robinson said she agreed with those who believed that the fight against racism was one of the most effective preventive measures that could be envisaged. She said that the forthcoming World Conference was meant to provide an opportunity to find a new vision for the new bright century, to review the international community's thinking and to renew its commitment to the total eradication of racism.
Following the High Commissioner's statement, Committee members said that the Committee's contribution was important to the success of the Conference.
When the Committee reconvenes in public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 20January, it will take up the initial report of Armenia.
Statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
MARY ROBINSON, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, thanked the Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Awa N'Deye Ouedraogo, for her willingness to participate in the first technical assistance activity which took place in Haiti under the Plan of Action in December, with the assistance of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Civilian Mission in Haiti.
Mrs. Robinson drew the attention of the members of the Committee to the preparations now underway for the holding of the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which will take place in South Africa at the end of August of next year. She said she wanted to discuss the request that the Committee consider ways in which it could make a contribution to that process.
Mrs. Robinson said that she had been trying to emphasize in all her recent public appearances the need to give more attention and resources to the prevention of human rights violations. She said she agreed with those who believed that the fight against racism was one of the most effective preventive measures that could be envisaged. Racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance were at the root of many of the world's recent and more cruel conflicts. Children were amongst those who suffered most severely the consequences of ethnic discrimination and were also the most innocent victims of the conflicts it provoked.
The High Commissioner said that the forthcoming World Conference, which was the third of its kind, was meant to provide an opportunity to a new vision for the new bright century, to review the international community's thinking and to renew its commitment to the total eradication of racism. Children held the key to changing the future; if children could be free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin, the greatest contribution would have been made to the prevention of human rights abuses of any other type, for the children of today and for the adults of tomorrow.
For the Conference to be successful, it needed the wholehearted support of all key actors, Mrs. Robinson went on to state. While the holding of the Conference could not be an end in itself, its contribution to the struggle to combat racism and xenophobia in all their forms would give an opportunity to take stock and to redouble efforts in the new millennium. She said she had already said that she considered women and young people to have a key role to play in taking initiatives that would help in building a multi-cultural world where all races and ethnic groups could coexist peacefully.
Discussion
Following the statement, a member of the Committee recalled that the Committee found itself in a very difficult situation concerning its consideration of country reports. While the Committee was supposed to consider 50 periodic and initial reports per year, it was only able to consider 24 reports annually. In order to increase the number of Committee members from 10 to 18, the ratification of 120 States parties was needed. At present, the ratification of 49 States parties was still lacking to put the amendment into force. It was necessary that the 49 missing ramifications be fulfilled before the next Committee elections in 2001.
Concerning the contribution to the preparatory process of the Conference, the Committee's discussion was at the preliminary stage, another expert said. The expert said that the Committee would contribute to the preparatory process on the issues concerning children of minorities and migrant workers. The participation of children in the Conference was also recommended by some experts.
Mrs. Robinson said that following the Commission on Human Rights, the first preparatory meeting for the Third World Conference would be held in May in Geneva.