Address by Ms. Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the High Level Panel on “Racism and Discrimination – Obstacles to Development”

International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination
21 March 2007
Palais des Nations, Geneva

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to welcome all of you to this High Level Panel discussion organized to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, proclaimed as such by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 to commemorate the Sharpeville tragedy in South Africa and to combat racism in all its forms. This reminder of racial discrimination at its most brutal - and the countless other episodes that mark the lives of millions everywhere in the world today – call for our renewed commitment to eradicate racial discrimination, in law and in social reality.

The 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination provides the legal basis to which our action should be anchored. The prohibition of racial discrimination is also widely recognized as a peremptory norm of international law from which no derogation is permitted. As a matter of law then, the basic obligation to fight racism is thus binding on all States, regardless of whether or not they have ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. That said, the Convention provides detailed guidance on how this should be done, and becoming party to the Convention sends a powerful political signal and a framework for action. I thus again call on all States that have not yet done so to become party to this important human rights instrument, to accept the complaints jurisdiction of its supervisory committee and to withdraw reservations to the treaty.

Dear Friends,

We have come a long way in removing obstacles to the realization of the fundamental principles of equality and non discrimination, but much more remains to be done. Despite the continued efforts to implement effectively the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance persist and in some respects have even grown in magnitude. The challenge we continue to face today is how to translate our stated commitment into concrete action that changes lives for the better.

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action acknowledge that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities are among the root causes of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. This recognition inspires the theme of our High Level Panel discussion today. It is crucially important that we address in a holistic manner the complex interface between racism, discrimination and poverty, as well as to understand how all these factors both stem from and engender a denial of political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights.

I have often pointed out that poverty is the gravest human rights challenge which deprives millions of their dignity and the capacity to claim their rights. A marked characteristic of virtually all communities living in extreme poverty is that they do not have access, on equal terms, to the institutions and services of Government that protect and promote human rights. This inequality of access, in particular to justice, is often linked to discrimination on other grounds. In particular, racism, discrimination and poverty form a vicious cycle, as discrimination leads to economic deprivation, and poverty increases the extent of discrimination. In turn, the persistence of racist attitudes and practices exacerbates exclusion and poverty.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in its General Recommendation No. 25, acknowledges that racial discrimination does not always affect women and men in the same way and that certain forms of racial discrimination may be directed towards women specifically because of their sex. Children also suffer particularly – poverty sharpened by racism exposes children to a double discrimination, heightening further risks of abusive child labour and exploitation, and diminishes their access to even basic education. Unwarranted distinctions, exclusions, restrictions or preferences on discriminatory grounds reduce victims’ possibilities of access to employment and obstruct the achievement of their full potential, having a negative impact on social development and economic growth of both communities and nations. A human rights approach to poverty, that fully recognizes these interlinkages, provides the necessary tools for identifying the roots of poverty that lie in discriminatory practices and for developing remedial strategies.

Once it is recognizes that poor and discriminated people are excluded from public and private institutions and do not have enough political power to participate in the relevant decision-making processes, poverty reduction strategies and development programmes can be appropriately calibrated to the special needs of the most marginalized and the protection of their rights. Effective participation of the poor in all stages of policy formulation and allocation of resources must be ensured. Such participation is not only an essential prerequisite for achieving development, but it is also a right reflected in international instruments including the 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development.

Similarly, it is essential to ensure access of vulnerable groups on equal terms to state institutions and services, in particular to justice. To be fully effective, institutions should mirror, in the words of the Durban Declarations, “the multi-ethnic, pluricultural and plurilingual characteristics of the population.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ignorance, intolerance and lack of respect for diversity, which feed into racist views and practices, easily turn to hostility and fear, if not open confrontation and violent conflict. In response, participatory political systems provide the most effective channels of peaceful management of social cleavages in general, and ethic conflicts in particular. It is therefore crucial to promote such systems providing space for robust public debate and informed policy-making, so that racism is tackled before it becomes an organizing principle for violent confrontation and armed conflict.

Allow me to conclude by noting that, in the context of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, perceptions are essential. It is the responsibility and obligation of all of us to play our part in ensuring that difference is celebrated as an enriching value and a great contribution to the common good.

Thank you.