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24 November 2000
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CESCR
24th session
24 November 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon discussed its contribution to the forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which will be held from 31 August to 7 September 2001 in South Africa.
In connection to the preparations for the World Conference, the Committee heard a briefing by a representative of the Secretariat who said that the work was well under way and a cycle of regional expert seminars had already been completed.
According to the representative, the costs for the World Conference and related meetings and activities amounted to some $ 10 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001; funds made available amounted to $ 5.6 million as of 15 November 2000 and included contributions from Governments and foundations as well as the reallocation of a balance from the World Conference on Human Rights.
One of the Committee's Experts who participated in a regional expert seminar in Santiago de Chile also briefed Committee members saying that there should be a resolve to adopt all necessary and effective measures to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to prevent and combat racism doctrines and practices in order to promote understanding between races. Such measures would ensure an international community free from all forms of racial segregation and racial discrimination, he said.
Following their brief public discussion, the members of the Committee continued their debate in a private meeting.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 27 November, it will hold a day of general discussion on "the right of everyone to benefit from the protection of moral and material interests which flow from all artistic, literary or scientific productions of which he is the author", which is article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Preparation for the World Conference Against Racism
ROBERT HUSBANDS, Human Rights Officer at the World Conference against Racism Secretariat, said that preparations were underway for the upcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which would take place from 31 August to 7 September 2001 in Durban, South Africa. A cycle of regional expert seminars had been held in Geneva, Warsaw, Bangkok, Addis Ababa and Santiago de Chile. The overreaching theme for each regional expert seminar was "trends, priorities and obstacles in combatting racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance".
Mr. Husbands said that in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Public Information, several flyers and brochures on the Conference had been prepared and distributed at the regional expert seminars, as well as at the regional preparatory meeting for Europe in Strasbourg. In addition, there was a newsletter entitled "United against Racism, Durban 2001", which intended to inform about the preparations undertaken by governments, NGOs, civil society, the media and the World Conference secretariat for the World Conference.
The costs for the World Conference and related meetings and activities amounted to some $ 10 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001, Mr. Husbands said. Funds made available amounted to $ 5.6 million as of 15 November 2000 and included contributions from Governments and foundations as well as the reallocation of a balance from the World Conference on Human Rights.
Regional Seminar of Experts for Latin America
KENNETH OBORNE RATTRAY, Committee Expert, briefed the members on the regional expert seminar held in Santiago de Chile from 25 to 27 October 2000 on the subject of effective remedies for racial discrimination in the region under the context of the World Conference on Racism. The seminar paid particular attention to racial discrimination against vulnerable groups of the American and Caribbean regions.
Mr. Rattray presented a background paper to the Committee in which he said that there should be a resolve to adopt all necessary and effective measures to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to prevent and combat racism doctrines and practices in order to promote understanding between races. Such measures would ensure an international community free from all forms of racial segregation and racial discrimination.
Mr. Rattray said covertly expressed acts of racial discrimination had already been overtly assuming a public image in many parts of the world. In Latin American and Caribbean regions, there was correlation between discrimination and poverty in which the lowest strata of the society was the subject of discrimination. In addition, racism had its origin from colonialism which had created racial bias in the regions.
The Expert said that the establishment of more effective measures for racial discrimination should have to address, among other things, the elimination of cultural bias and prejudice arising from centuries of socialization by means of comprehensive educational programmes and training; the creation of a greater sense of awareness by the media and the elimination of negative stereotypes presented by it by establishing a code of conduct; the need to recognize the importance of the cultural heritage of racial communities and to promote respect for such heritage; and the recognition of the special place in the fight against racism in relation to indigenous peoples, women and immigrant workers.
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24th session
24 November 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon discussed its contribution to the forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which will be held from 31 August to 7 September 2001 in South Africa.
In connection to the preparations for the World Conference, the Committee heard a briefing by a representative of the Secretariat who said that the work was well under way and a cycle of regional expert seminars had already been completed.
According to the representative, the costs for the World Conference and related meetings and activities amounted to some $ 10 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001; funds made available amounted to $ 5.6 million as of 15 November 2000 and included contributions from Governments and foundations as well as the reallocation of a balance from the World Conference on Human Rights.
One of the Committee's Experts who participated in a regional expert seminar in Santiago de Chile also briefed Committee members saying that there should be a resolve to adopt all necessary and effective measures to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to prevent and combat racism doctrines and practices in order to promote understanding between races. Such measures would ensure an international community free from all forms of racial segregation and racial discrimination, he said.
Following their brief public discussion, the members of the Committee continued their debate in a private meeting.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 27 November, it will hold a day of general discussion on "the right of everyone to benefit from the protection of moral and material interests which flow from all artistic, literary or scientific productions of which he is the author", which is article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Preparation for the World Conference Against Racism
ROBERT HUSBANDS, Human Rights Officer at the World Conference against Racism Secretariat, said that preparations were underway for the upcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance which would take place from 31 August to 7 September 2001 in Durban, South Africa. A cycle of regional expert seminars had been held in Geneva, Warsaw, Bangkok, Addis Ababa and Santiago de Chile. The overreaching theme for each regional expert seminar was "trends, priorities and obstacles in combatting racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance".
Mr. Husbands said that in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Public Information, several flyers and brochures on the Conference had been prepared and distributed at the regional expert seminars, as well as at the regional preparatory meeting for Europe in Strasbourg. In addition, there was a newsletter entitled "United against Racism, Durban 2001", which intended to inform about the preparations undertaken by governments, NGOs, civil society, the media and the World Conference secretariat for the World Conference.
The costs for the World Conference and related meetings and activities amounted to some $ 10 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001, Mr. Husbands said. Funds made available amounted to $ 5.6 million as of 15 November 2000 and included contributions from Governments and foundations as well as the reallocation of a balance from the World Conference on Human Rights.
Regional Seminar of Experts for Latin America
KENNETH OBORNE RATTRAY, Committee Expert, briefed the members on the regional expert seminar held in Santiago de Chile from 25 to 27 October 2000 on the subject of effective remedies for racial discrimination in the region under the context of the World Conference on Racism. The seminar paid particular attention to racial discrimination against vulnerable groups of the American and Caribbean regions.
Mr. Rattray presented a background paper to the Committee in which he said that there should be a resolve to adopt all necessary and effective measures to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to prevent and combat racism doctrines and practices in order to promote understanding between races. Such measures would ensure an international community free from all forms of racial segregation and racial discrimination.
Mr. Rattray said covertly expressed acts of racial discrimination had already been overtly assuming a public image in many parts of the world. In Latin American and Caribbean regions, there was correlation between discrimination and poverty in which the lowest strata of the society was the subject of discrimination. In addition, racism had its origin from colonialism which had created racial bias in the regions.
The Expert said that the establishment of more effective measures for racial discrimination should have to address, among other things, the elimination of cultural bias and prejudice arising from centuries of socialization by means of comprehensive educational programmes and training; the creation of a greater sense of awareness by the media and the elimination of negative stereotypes presented by it by establishing a code of conduct; the need to recognize the importance of the cultural heritage of racial communities and to promote respect for such heritage; and the recognition of the special place in the fight against racism in relation to indigenous peoples, women and immigrant workers.
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