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25 October 2000
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13 November 2000
Former Chilean President Patricio Aylwin opened in Santiago on 25 October 2000, the Latin America – Caribbean Regional Seminar called to discuss “Economic, Social And Legal Measures to Combat Racism with Particular Reference to Vulnerable Groups” in the region. This is the fifth and final expert seminar in a series of regional seminars in preparation for next year’s World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, will wind up on October 27.
In a message to the gathering, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary General of the World Conference, Mary Robinson, said that in a number of states in the region, indigenous peoples and the African-American community in the region were particularly suffering the effects of racism and xenophobia. She called on states to acknowledge this situation and commit themselves to the better insertion of these groups in society. She emphasised that recognition of their collective rights could be an avenue to more just and fair societies through out the region.
The High Commissioner recalled the history of colonial conquest, foreign intervention, importation and exportation of slave labour in the region and the brutality associated with those events including the massacre of native citizens. She said diversity of race and culture should not be allowed to become limiting factors in human exchange. The central theme of the upcoming World Conference would refocus our understanding between different races and cultures, instead of allowing diversity of race and culture to become limiting factors in human exchange and development.
Other issues being discussed at the expert seminar are: general trends, priorities and obstacles in combating racism an intolerance in Latin America and the Caribbean, the protection of civil, political, economic and cultural rights, issues related to migrants and displaced persons, as well as the situation of vulnerable groups. The Santiago expert seminar is expected to draw on best practices and propose effective remedies against racial discrimination in the region and an action plan for governments, national human rights institutions and NGOs.
Former Chilean President Patricio Aylwin opened in Santiago on 25 October 2000, the Latin America – Caribbean Regional Seminar called to discuss “Economic, Social And Legal Measures to Combat Racism with Particular Reference to Vulnerable Groups” in the region. This is the fifth and final expert seminar in a series of regional seminars in preparation for next year’s World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, will wind up on October 27.
In a message to the gathering, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary General of the World Conference, Mary Robinson, said that in a number of states in the region, indigenous peoples and the African-American community in the region were particularly suffering the effects of racism and xenophobia. She called on states to acknowledge this situation and commit themselves to the better insertion of these groups in society. She emphasised that recognition of their collective rights could be an avenue to more just and fair societies through out the region.
The High Commissioner recalled the history of colonial conquest, foreign intervention, importation and exportation of slave labour in the region and the brutality associated with those events including the massacre of native citizens. She said diversity of race and culture should not be allowed to become limiting factors in human exchange. The central theme of the upcoming World Conference would refocus our understanding between different races and cultures, instead of allowing diversity of race and culture to become limiting factors in human exchange and development.
Other issues being discussed at the expert seminar are: general trends, priorities and obstacles in combating racism an intolerance in Latin America and the Caribbean, the protection of civil, political, economic and cultural rights, issues related to migrants and displaced persons, as well as the situation of vulnerable groups. The Santiago expert seminar is expected to draw on best practices and propose effective remedies against racial discrimination in the region and an action plan for governments, national human rights institutions and NGOs.