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24 July 2001
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Substantive session of 2001
Economic and Social Council,
Geneva, 24 July 2001
Statement by Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and Secretary-General of
the World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
You also have before you the Secretary-General’s report on the “Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and preparatory process for the World Conference”. This is a report on the major activities undertaken in the context of the Third Decade and the preparatory process for the World Conference including the regional preparatory meetings, the regional expert seminars and the NGO Forums that were held all over the world.
Let me take this opportunity to say a few more words about the conference. As we stand at the beginning of a new century, the continuing existence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance constitutes a fundamental human rights challenge. The Durban conference will be nothing less than a conference to discuss the core principles that should underpin this new century. It is an important opportunity for the world community to commit, for the first time in the post-apartheid era, to a truly global effort to address the ancient and the modern manifestations of this evil.
This conference is also special in the way that it engages individuals and civil society as much as it does States. Looking at the enormous response from NGOs, it is clear that Durban will not be a dry political gathering dominated by technical negotiations. There will be some of that. But there will also be a rich coming together of peoples and cultures; an exchange of ideas and experiences. This conference is a call for all of us to reflect on our own responsibility, to be aware of the prejudices that we carry, sometimes consciously but in many cases, unconsciously. If we wish for real change, we must also look into our own hearts.
We are now only 37 days from the opening ceremony of the World Conference. Whilst much remains to be done, it is important to note that much has already been achieved. The regional preparatory meetings have recognised that racism is a problem in every country and every region. The profile of racism as a global issue has been raised to an unprecedented level. Groups all over the world have had their voices heard and their concerns acknowledged in ways that were not possible before preparations for the World Conference began. Disparate groups which have been conducting separate struggles against racism and discrimination are coming together. We are seeing the creation of a global constituency which did not exist before. At the level of civil society, Durban promises to be a significant event which will permanently change the way that racism issues are viewed and dealt with.
To a large extent, however, the success of Durban will be measured according to the formal outcomes adopted by national delegations – the Declaration and the Programme of Action. This is the main challenge now facing States.
The negotiation of these key documents has not been an easy process. The subject matter of this conference touches upon delicate issues; not just matters of domestic policy and practice but, in some cases, fundamental issues of national identity. Whilst individual societies have embarked on processes of reflection and reconciliation, we as a global community have never attempted it before.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, I believe we can have a successful outcome. I have spoken of the need for a breakthrough on racism at Durban. It will require good will and compromise on all sides; I am sure that no country or group will walk away completely satisfied. But the time for staking out positions and laying down markers has past – we are now at the stage where we need to begin reaching agreements.
There is no possibility of a neutral outcome from this World Conference. As I have said, I believe that it will succeed. But if it does not, then the disappointment will be great and the bitterness and recriminations will be likely to spill over into other issues and other forums. At a time when the international community is grappling with so many complex global problems we simply cannot afford to fail to find consensus on an issue as clear cut as racism.
At Durban our objectives will be threefold:
1) a Declaration that solemnly acknowledges the wrongs of the past, notes the current manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and commits States and peoples to moving forward together in the fight against racism;
2) a concrete, forward-looking, Programme of Action that identifies practical steps for fulfilling this commitment; and
3) an alliance forged between governments and civil society that will enable the struggle against racism to be carried beyond Durban.
As the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said in Berlin a few weeks ago:
“We must find ways to acknowledge the past without getting lost there; and to help heal old wounds without reopening them. We must deal with the past, but most importantly we must reinvigorate the future. We need a programme of action, not a lapse into recrimination.”
I believe that this is achievable.
The third meeting of the preparatory committee will take place here in Geneva from 30 July to 10 August. The Secretariat will do everything possible to support the work of delegates at that meeting. In the margins of the prepcom, I have invited a group of Eminent Persons to conduct a round-table discussion on 3 August on the importance of this World Conference. I am also pleased that so many States have already nominated high level political leadership for their delegations to Durban and that a number of Heads of State have also confirmed their intention to be present. I would ask all governments to ensure the highest possible level of attendance, as befits a World Conference on an issue as serious as this one.
Finally, I am deeply grateful to the Government of South Africa for their offer to host the World Conference, for which arrangements are proceeding very well. It is impossible to imagine a better venue for this vital conference or a more appropriate place to build upon the great success of the last century – the eradication of apartheid.
Thank you.
Economic and Social Council,
Geneva, 24 July 2001
Statement by Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and Secretary-General of
the World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
You also have before you the Secretary-General’s report on the “Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and preparatory process for the World Conference”. This is a report on the major activities undertaken in the context of the Third Decade and the preparatory process for the World Conference including the regional preparatory meetings, the regional expert seminars and the NGO Forums that were held all over the world.
Let me take this opportunity to say a few more words about the conference. As we stand at the beginning of a new century, the continuing existence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance constitutes a fundamental human rights challenge. The Durban conference will be nothing less than a conference to discuss the core principles that should underpin this new century. It is an important opportunity for the world community to commit, for the first time in the post-apartheid era, to a truly global effort to address the ancient and the modern manifestations of this evil.
This conference is also special in the way that it engages individuals and civil society as much as it does States. Looking at the enormous response from NGOs, it is clear that Durban will not be a dry political gathering dominated by technical negotiations. There will be some of that. But there will also be a rich coming together of peoples and cultures; an exchange of ideas and experiences. This conference is a call for all of us to reflect on our own responsibility, to be aware of the prejudices that we carry, sometimes consciously but in many cases, unconsciously. If we wish for real change, we must also look into our own hearts.
We are now only 37 days from the opening ceremony of the World Conference. Whilst much remains to be done, it is important to note that much has already been achieved. The regional preparatory meetings have recognised that racism is a problem in every country and every region. The profile of racism as a global issue has been raised to an unprecedented level. Groups all over the world have had their voices heard and their concerns acknowledged in ways that were not possible before preparations for the World Conference began. Disparate groups which have been conducting separate struggles against racism and discrimination are coming together. We are seeing the creation of a global constituency which did not exist before. At the level of civil society, Durban promises to be a significant event which will permanently change the way that racism issues are viewed and dealt with.
To a large extent, however, the success of Durban will be measured according to the formal outcomes adopted by national delegations – the Declaration and the Programme of Action. This is the main challenge now facing States.
The negotiation of these key documents has not been an easy process. The subject matter of this conference touches upon delicate issues; not just matters of domestic policy and practice but, in some cases, fundamental issues of national identity. Whilst individual societies have embarked on processes of reflection and reconciliation, we as a global community have never attempted it before.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, I believe we can have a successful outcome. I have spoken of the need for a breakthrough on racism at Durban. It will require good will and compromise on all sides; I am sure that no country or group will walk away completely satisfied. But the time for staking out positions and laying down markers has past – we are now at the stage where we need to begin reaching agreements.
There is no possibility of a neutral outcome from this World Conference. As I have said, I believe that it will succeed. But if it does not, then the disappointment will be great and the bitterness and recriminations will be likely to spill over into other issues and other forums. At a time when the international community is grappling with so many complex global problems we simply cannot afford to fail to find consensus on an issue as clear cut as racism.
At Durban our objectives will be threefold:
1) a Declaration that solemnly acknowledges the wrongs of the past, notes the current manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and commits States and peoples to moving forward together in the fight against racism;
2) a concrete, forward-looking, Programme of Action that identifies practical steps for fulfilling this commitment; and
3) an alliance forged between governments and civil society that will enable the struggle against racism to be carried beyond Durban.
As the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said in Berlin a few weeks ago:
“We must find ways to acknowledge the past without getting lost there; and to help heal old wounds without reopening them. We must deal with the past, but most importantly we must reinvigorate the future. We need a programme of action, not a lapse into recrimination.”
I believe that this is achievable.
The third meeting of the preparatory committee will take place here in Geneva from 30 July to 10 August. The Secretariat will do everything possible to support the work of delegates at that meeting. In the margins of the prepcom, I have invited a group of Eminent Persons to conduct a round-table discussion on 3 August on the importance of this World Conference. I am also pleased that so many States have already nominated high level political leadership for their delegations to Durban and that a number of Heads of State have also confirmed their intention to be present. I would ask all governments to ensure the highest possible level of attendance, as befits a World Conference on an issue as serious as this one.
Finally, I am deeply grateful to the Government of South Africa for their offer to host the World Conference, for which arrangements are proceeding very well. It is impossible to imagine a better venue for this vital conference or a more appropriate place to build upon the great success of the last century – the eradication of apartheid.
Thank you.