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28 April 2000
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Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
1 May, 2000
Address by
Mary Robinson,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and
Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism
Chairperson,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome delegations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to the First Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. This is the start of the formal phase of the Conference process, although a number of useful informal meetings have already taken place in different parts of the world. This Preparatory Committee can and should give a powerful impetus to the work of laying the foundations for a successful World Conference.
Much of your work this week will deal with procedural and organizational matters. These are important but they should not allow us to lose sight of the high aims of the Conference or the need to set clear themes and objectives.
The Spirit of the Century: One Human Family
This World Conference has the potential to be among the most significant gatherings at the start of this century. It can be more: it can shape and embody the spirit of the new century, based on the shared conviction that we are all members of one human family. The challenge is there to make this Conference a landmark in the struggle to eradicate all forms of racism. Persistent inequalities in the enjoyment of the most basic human rights are not only wrong in themselves, they are a major cause of social upheaval and conflict. Opinion polls in numerous countries show that issues relating to racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance are uppermost among public concerns today. There is a heavy moral responsibility on all participants to make the Conference a success. It is up to all of us to ensure that the opportunity is grasped and that we produce a practical, action-oriented result which responds to these concerns. We owe this especially to the younger generation challenged to grow up in a world whose population is growing at an unprecedented rate.
Combating Racism as Prevention
I place particular emphasis on the role which combating racism can play in preventing conflicts, reducing racial and ethnic tensions and inculcating respect for difference. Prevention was the theme of my report to the 56th session of the Commission on Human Rights. I stressed prevention because I feel that the importance of developing preventive strategies has still not been fully realised by governments.
The more one examines situations of conflict the more one realises, firstly, that vital opportunities to prevent conflicts from occurring continue to be lost and, secondly, that failures of prevention entail huge costs. Yet, the tendency to react rather than to anticipate - even in the face of overwhelming evidence of the perils of delay - remains all too common with results that are plain to see.
By tackling racism and xenophobia we strike at forces which are at the root of most conflicts. I urge delegates to focus on the preventive advantages of the fight against racism and xenophobia during the preparations for, and the holding of the World Conference.
Racism in the Modern World
If we are to have a productive Conference we must, above all, understand and take full account of the nature and extent of racism in the modern world. I believe that for the World Conference to be relevant, it must address the changing nature of racism and its causes and confront the complex forms of intolerance and prejudice which exist in the world today.
A leading focus of the two previous UN World Conferences against Racism was the fight against apartheid. That struggle had almost universal support. Even as success was achieved in abolishing apartheid, it has become ever more apparent that racism, discrimination, xenophobia and bigotry are worldwide phenomena, more deep-rooted and more virulent than had been supposed. Genocide in Rwanda and "ethnic cleansing" in the Former Yugoslavia have brought home to us the extremes to which such intolerance can lead in our own time. The hope that the lessons of the Holocaust would rule out such terrible crimes for ever has not yet seen fulfillment.
The title to this World Conference extends its scope to the many forms of racism and bigotry in our modern world, to xenophobia in all its manifestations; to anti-Semitism; negrophobia; discrimination against indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, displaced persons and the minority communities such as the Roma and Sinti. And there are numerous examples of discrimination on social and religious grounds.
A good start would be to recognise that no society is free from the taint of racism. The tendency to discriminate against fellow human beings on the grounds of race or other difference is not confined to any one country or continent. As Martin Luther King urged:
We are challenged to work all over the world with unshakeable determination to wipe out the last vestiges of racism - Its vicious grasp knows no geographical boundaries.
Secondly, we should acknowledge that having laws and monitoring arrangements in place is not enough. The Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination is the oldest of the UN treaty monitoring bodies and it, together with the mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission, has worked long and hard to eradicate racism. In spite of that, and in spite of two World Conferences and three International Decades to combat racism, the problem is still very much alive. The most overt forms of racism may have been outlawed but discrimination persists in multiple forms, often in subtle, systemic ways. In fact, to judge from the persistence of racist attitudes in the face of often elaborate anti-discrimination measures, we would have to admit that actions against racism to date have met with, at best, limited results.
The task before us is to devise innovative strategies to combat racism. That means not merely shaping laws and mechanisms to protect against racial discrimination, but effecting a change of minds, hearts and spirits. Aung San Suu Kyi has put it well:
The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in mental attitudes and values. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration.
Education as Key
Fear lies at the heart of racial hatred and xenophobia: fear of difference, fear that economic or social position is threatened, fear that identity could be lost in an increasingly globalized world. If fear is a main factor, education is a key remedy. We must resolve to devote more resources to education against racism and xenophobia, drawing on the immense influence which the Internet and new technologies bring. The Internet, which has been abused as a vehicle to propagate theories of racial superiority and anti-semitism, can be a formidable means of educating and changing attitudes for the better.
Economic Dimension: Fortress Mentality
Looking at the roots of racism and xenophobia in the modern world, the importance of the economic dimension is immediately apparent. The gulf between the rich and the very large numbers who live in dire poverty is widening all the time. Some people enjoy the luxury of a high standard of living, freedom from hunger, adequate housing and education and high quality healthcare. Others experience extreme poverty, lack of safe water, insufficient funds to treat deadly diseases such as AIDS and high levels of illiteracy, especially among women and children.
While some are aware of this gulf and attempt to bridge it, many prefer to adopt a fortress mentality, based on a determination to defend their prosperity against perceived external threats. This is a trend that has increasingly ugly, xenophobic undertones to it. There is a tendency to demonise those who come to rich societies in search of a better life. Migrants are exploited and blamed for economic ills that have nothing to do with them. Refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers in search of safety are treated harshly and, more and more often, turned away.
What is especially worrying today is that the fortress mentality is assuming global dimensions. The impact of globalisation on racism and xenophobia is an appropriate subject for the World Conference to consider. Globalisation can achieve economies of scale which increase companies’ profits. The danger is that, unless the international community acts now to ensure that the benefits of the information revolution and of open markets are more widely shared, globalisation will become a further barrier to poorer countries participating fully in the international economy. The protests at the World Trade Organization Conference and elsewhere reflect a sense that the present world economic system weighs heavily on the side of the rich.
The international community faces a fundamental choice here: either we envisage a world of two vastly differing parts, one with ever increasing wealth and technological sophistication, the other a place where people live in abject poverty; or we embrace the idea that we are all in this together as members of one human family, with entitlements to economic, social and cultural rights which need to be progressively implemented. This embracing option regards diversity as strength, not weakness, and recognises the great social, cultural and, yes, economic benefits of a multicultural society. It is a vision of a world where people of all colours, creeds and standing live together in harmony and peace. It is the vision of Leopold Senghor:
" Chaque peuple réunit, en son visage, les divers traits de la condition humaine". "La nature a bien fait les choses, qui a voulu que chaque peuple, chaque race, chaque continent cultivât, avec une dilection particulière, certaines vertus de l’homme; en quoi réside précisément son originalité."
Responsibilities of Governments
There is a particular responsibility and duty of care on governments when it comes to fighting racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance. Relations between different races and ethnic groups within society are a highly sensitive issue on which those in uniform, whether police, military or prison staff need adequate training. Governments and the political community should at all times lead public opinion, not play the race card or pander to those who claim they feel threatened by people they regard as different.
Unfortunately, not all political leaders act in a responsible way. The rise of far right parties in Europe is a clear example of unscrupulous politicians playing on fears.
Nor is the problem confined to Europe. There are many instances I could cite where governments have turned a blind eye to ethnic and racial tensions, or have treated indigenous peoples badly or, worst of all, have stoked up ethnic and racial tensions for political advantage.
I call on the governments participating in the World Conference to make a complete inventory of their record in combating racism and discrimination and to resolve to do better. There will be many expressions of goodwill and good intentions but these will be of no consequence unless they are matched by resolute action. Strategies that have produced positive results must be identified with a view to being replicated. I am deeply committed to a strong follow-up mechanism to the World Conference to examine whether governments have delivered on their promises. I want to help make this a Conference of actions, not just words.
A People’s Conference
All actors who can help to fight racism have a role to play in the World Conference. Members of the United Nations family, intergovernmental organizations and the media all have much to contribute.
I have made it clear, and will repeat again, that I have in mind a Conference with the broadest possible involvement of civil society. We must engage the attention and interest of our citizens young and old. The responsibility for making this happen lies in part with governments and regional bodies and also with non-governmental organizations. I would like all of you to go away from this Preparatory Committee fired with enthusiasm to ensure the greatest possible engagement of public interest in every country.
At the national level, I expect governments to raise awareness among their citizens, of all ages, including through schools and youth clubs and ensure active participation in national preparations.
At regional level, my Office is facilitating a series of regional expert seminars and a number of countries have kindly agreed to host regional preparatory conferences.
The whole United Nations System of specialized agencies and programmes is being mobilized to address issues of racial discrimination.
I would like to see the maximum possible involvement of NGOs, community groups, religious groups and the private sector in preparations for the Conference.
For my part, I will continue to highlight the importance of the World Conference at every opportunity and will call on the Goodwill Ambassadors who have been or who will be appointed to help me in this task.
Themes of the Conference
I have mentioned some of the themes which the Conference may wish to address; they include combating modern manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; ways to reduce ethnic tensions and prevent ethnic and racial conflicts; the economic impact of racism; discrimination against migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons; trafficking in human persons; assaults on minorities and vulnerable groups, the rights of indigenous peoples; the role of the Internet and the communications revolution; and the recourses available to victims of racial discrimination. The issue of double or multiple discrimination - on grounds of gender and age, for example, in addition to race - is a topic which I would also commend to your attention.
The World Conference will need a central theme to draw together the different aspects of the issue and to inspire our work. The aim is clear: to identify innovative ways to shape the spirit of this new century in recognition of the inescapable fact that all of us, whatever our differences, belong to one human family. We should have a vision of a world where the colour of a person’s skin, their religious or ethnic identity, makes no difference to their entitlement to pursue whatever course in life they wish, where diversity is regarded as a strength and not a problem. If that spirit were to prevail and to be translated into practical measures to abolish all forms of discrimination, we would have achieved a great deal.
To those who say that this is too idealistic an approach, I would reply that all movements which have improved the human condition have been born out of idealism and a conviction that bad practice can be changed. The anti-slavery movement in the nineteenth century, the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements were all based on idealism and all faced challenges that at the time looked insuperable.
To provide inspiration we need look no further than the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. In his famous speech from the dock he said
"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But if need be, I am prepared to die for it."
The courage of Nelson Mandela, who uttered these words as he faced a prison term that would last 27 years, should be an inspiration to us in our work. We should take courage, too, from the generosity of spirit he has shown ever since and his unswerving commitment to a multicultural South Africa.
Getting Down to Work
The week ahead is crucial in a number of respects, not least in that the discussions here will set the tone for the preparations over the coming year, and for the World Conference proper.
I hope that all delegations will approach the work in a constructive frame of mind and will not allow themselves to be sidetracked by ideological or narrow sectional interests. There is too much at stake for that.
My goal is that when we reach the end of our deliberations in South Africa next September we will have agreed on a ringing statement against racism which will reach out to and inspire people everywhere, and that we will have been able to agree on a practical programme of action that will truly make a difference in the struggle against racism.
I wish you well in your deliberations.
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
1 May, 2000
Address by
Mary Robinson,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and
Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism
Chairperson,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome delegations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to the First Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. This is the start of the formal phase of the Conference process, although a number of useful informal meetings have already taken place in different parts of the world. This Preparatory Committee can and should give a powerful impetus to the work of laying the foundations for a successful World Conference.
Much of your work this week will deal with procedural and organizational matters. These are important but they should not allow us to lose sight of the high aims of the Conference or the need to set clear themes and objectives.
The Spirit of the Century: One Human Family
This World Conference has the potential to be among the most significant gatherings at the start of this century. It can be more: it can shape and embody the spirit of the new century, based on the shared conviction that we are all members of one human family. The challenge is there to make this Conference a landmark in the struggle to eradicate all forms of racism. Persistent inequalities in the enjoyment of the most basic human rights are not only wrong in themselves, they are a major cause of social upheaval and conflict. Opinion polls in numerous countries show that issues relating to racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance are uppermost among public concerns today. There is a heavy moral responsibility on all participants to make the Conference a success. It is up to all of us to ensure that the opportunity is grasped and that we produce a practical, action-oriented result which responds to these concerns. We owe this especially to the younger generation challenged to grow up in a world whose population is growing at an unprecedented rate.
Combating Racism as Prevention
I place particular emphasis on the role which combating racism can play in preventing conflicts, reducing racial and ethnic tensions and inculcating respect for difference. Prevention was the theme of my report to the 56th session of the Commission on Human Rights. I stressed prevention because I feel that the importance of developing preventive strategies has still not been fully realised by governments.
The more one examines situations of conflict the more one realises, firstly, that vital opportunities to prevent conflicts from occurring continue to be lost and, secondly, that failures of prevention entail huge costs. Yet, the tendency to react rather than to anticipate - even in the face of overwhelming evidence of the perils of delay - remains all too common with results that are plain to see.
By tackling racism and xenophobia we strike at forces which are at the root of most conflicts. I urge delegates to focus on the preventive advantages of the fight against racism and xenophobia during the preparations for, and the holding of the World Conference.
Racism in the Modern World
If we are to have a productive Conference we must, above all, understand and take full account of the nature and extent of racism in the modern world. I believe that for the World Conference to be relevant, it must address the changing nature of racism and its causes and confront the complex forms of intolerance and prejudice which exist in the world today.
A leading focus of the two previous UN World Conferences against Racism was the fight against apartheid. That struggle had almost universal support. Even as success was achieved in abolishing apartheid, it has become ever more apparent that racism, discrimination, xenophobia and bigotry are worldwide phenomena, more deep-rooted and more virulent than had been supposed. Genocide in Rwanda and "ethnic cleansing" in the Former Yugoslavia have brought home to us the extremes to which such intolerance can lead in our own time. The hope that the lessons of the Holocaust would rule out such terrible crimes for ever has not yet seen fulfillment.
The title to this World Conference extends its scope to the many forms of racism and bigotry in our modern world, to xenophobia in all its manifestations; to anti-Semitism; negrophobia; discrimination against indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, displaced persons and the minority communities such as the Roma and Sinti. And there are numerous examples of discrimination on social and religious grounds.
A good start would be to recognise that no society is free from the taint of racism. The tendency to discriminate against fellow human beings on the grounds of race or other difference is not confined to any one country or continent. As Martin Luther King urged:
We are challenged to work all over the world with unshakeable determination to wipe out the last vestiges of racism - Its vicious grasp knows no geographical boundaries.
Secondly, we should acknowledge that having laws and monitoring arrangements in place is not enough. The Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination is the oldest of the UN treaty monitoring bodies and it, together with the mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission, has worked long and hard to eradicate racism. In spite of that, and in spite of two World Conferences and three International Decades to combat racism, the problem is still very much alive. The most overt forms of racism may have been outlawed but discrimination persists in multiple forms, often in subtle, systemic ways. In fact, to judge from the persistence of racist attitudes in the face of often elaborate anti-discrimination measures, we would have to admit that actions against racism to date have met with, at best, limited results.
The task before us is to devise innovative strategies to combat racism. That means not merely shaping laws and mechanisms to protect against racial discrimination, but effecting a change of minds, hearts and spirits. Aung San Suu Kyi has put it well:
The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in mental attitudes and values. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration.
Education as Key
Fear lies at the heart of racial hatred and xenophobia: fear of difference, fear that economic or social position is threatened, fear that identity could be lost in an increasingly globalized world. If fear is a main factor, education is a key remedy. We must resolve to devote more resources to education against racism and xenophobia, drawing on the immense influence which the Internet and new technologies bring. The Internet, which has been abused as a vehicle to propagate theories of racial superiority and anti-semitism, can be a formidable means of educating and changing attitudes for the better.
Economic Dimension: Fortress Mentality
Looking at the roots of racism and xenophobia in the modern world, the importance of the economic dimension is immediately apparent. The gulf between the rich and the very large numbers who live in dire poverty is widening all the time. Some people enjoy the luxury of a high standard of living, freedom from hunger, adequate housing and education and high quality healthcare. Others experience extreme poverty, lack of safe water, insufficient funds to treat deadly diseases such as AIDS and high levels of illiteracy, especially among women and children.
While some are aware of this gulf and attempt to bridge it, many prefer to adopt a fortress mentality, based on a determination to defend their prosperity against perceived external threats. This is a trend that has increasingly ugly, xenophobic undertones to it. There is a tendency to demonise those who come to rich societies in search of a better life. Migrants are exploited and blamed for economic ills that have nothing to do with them. Refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers in search of safety are treated harshly and, more and more often, turned away.
What is especially worrying today is that the fortress mentality is assuming global dimensions. The impact of globalisation on racism and xenophobia is an appropriate subject for the World Conference to consider. Globalisation can achieve economies of scale which increase companies’ profits. The danger is that, unless the international community acts now to ensure that the benefits of the information revolution and of open markets are more widely shared, globalisation will become a further barrier to poorer countries participating fully in the international economy. The protests at the World Trade Organization Conference and elsewhere reflect a sense that the present world economic system weighs heavily on the side of the rich.
The international community faces a fundamental choice here: either we envisage a world of two vastly differing parts, one with ever increasing wealth and technological sophistication, the other a place where people live in abject poverty; or we embrace the idea that we are all in this together as members of one human family, with entitlements to economic, social and cultural rights which need to be progressively implemented. This embracing option regards diversity as strength, not weakness, and recognises the great social, cultural and, yes, economic benefits of a multicultural society. It is a vision of a world where people of all colours, creeds and standing live together in harmony and peace. It is the vision of Leopold Senghor:
" Chaque peuple réunit, en son visage, les divers traits de la condition humaine". "La nature a bien fait les choses, qui a voulu que chaque peuple, chaque race, chaque continent cultivât, avec une dilection particulière, certaines vertus de l’homme; en quoi réside précisément son originalité."
Responsibilities of Governments
There is a particular responsibility and duty of care on governments when it comes to fighting racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance. Relations between different races and ethnic groups within society are a highly sensitive issue on which those in uniform, whether police, military or prison staff need adequate training. Governments and the political community should at all times lead public opinion, not play the race card or pander to those who claim they feel threatened by people they regard as different.
Unfortunately, not all political leaders act in a responsible way. The rise of far right parties in Europe is a clear example of unscrupulous politicians playing on fears.
Nor is the problem confined to Europe. There are many instances I could cite where governments have turned a blind eye to ethnic and racial tensions, or have treated indigenous peoples badly or, worst of all, have stoked up ethnic and racial tensions for political advantage.
I call on the governments participating in the World Conference to make a complete inventory of their record in combating racism and discrimination and to resolve to do better. There will be many expressions of goodwill and good intentions but these will be of no consequence unless they are matched by resolute action. Strategies that have produced positive results must be identified with a view to being replicated. I am deeply committed to a strong follow-up mechanism to the World Conference to examine whether governments have delivered on their promises. I want to help make this a Conference of actions, not just words.
A People’s Conference
All actors who can help to fight racism have a role to play in the World Conference. Members of the United Nations family, intergovernmental organizations and the media all have much to contribute.
I have made it clear, and will repeat again, that I have in mind a Conference with the broadest possible involvement of civil society. We must engage the attention and interest of our citizens young and old. The responsibility for making this happen lies in part with governments and regional bodies and also with non-governmental organizations. I would like all of you to go away from this Preparatory Committee fired with enthusiasm to ensure the greatest possible engagement of public interest in every country.
At the national level, I expect governments to raise awareness among their citizens, of all ages, including through schools and youth clubs and ensure active participation in national preparations.
At regional level, my Office is facilitating a series of regional expert seminars and a number of countries have kindly agreed to host regional preparatory conferences.
The whole United Nations System of specialized agencies and programmes is being mobilized to address issues of racial discrimination.
I would like to see the maximum possible involvement of NGOs, community groups, religious groups and the private sector in preparations for the Conference.
For my part, I will continue to highlight the importance of the World Conference at every opportunity and will call on the Goodwill Ambassadors who have been or who will be appointed to help me in this task.
Themes of the Conference
I have mentioned some of the themes which the Conference may wish to address; they include combating modern manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; ways to reduce ethnic tensions and prevent ethnic and racial conflicts; the economic impact of racism; discrimination against migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons; trafficking in human persons; assaults on minorities and vulnerable groups, the rights of indigenous peoples; the role of the Internet and the communications revolution; and the recourses available to victims of racial discrimination. The issue of double or multiple discrimination - on grounds of gender and age, for example, in addition to race - is a topic which I would also commend to your attention.
The World Conference will need a central theme to draw together the different aspects of the issue and to inspire our work. The aim is clear: to identify innovative ways to shape the spirit of this new century in recognition of the inescapable fact that all of us, whatever our differences, belong to one human family. We should have a vision of a world where the colour of a person’s skin, their religious or ethnic identity, makes no difference to their entitlement to pursue whatever course in life they wish, where diversity is regarded as a strength and not a problem. If that spirit were to prevail and to be translated into practical measures to abolish all forms of discrimination, we would have achieved a great deal.
To those who say that this is too idealistic an approach, I would reply that all movements which have improved the human condition have been born out of idealism and a conviction that bad practice can be changed. The anti-slavery movement in the nineteenth century, the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements were all based on idealism and all faced challenges that at the time looked insuperable.
To provide inspiration we need look no further than the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. In his famous speech from the dock he said
"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But if need be, I am prepared to die for it."
The courage of Nelson Mandela, who uttered these words as he faced a prison term that would last 27 years, should be an inspiration to us in our work. We should take courage, too, from the generosity of spirit he has shown ever since and his unswerving commitment to a multicultural South Africa.
Getting Down to Work
The week ahead is crucial in a number of respects, not least in that the discussions here will set the tone for the preparations over the coming year, and for the World Conference proper.
I hope that all delegations will approach the work in a constructive frame of mind and will not allow themselves to be sidetracked by ideological or narrow sectional interests. There is too much at stake for that.
My goal is that when we reach the end of our deliberations in South Africa next September we will have agreed on a ringing statement against racism which will reach out to and inspire people everywhere, and that we will have been able to agree on a practical programme of action that will truly make a difference in the struggle against racism.
I wish you well in your deliberations.