| Background Since its inception in
1945, the United Nations has stressed the need
for the protection and promotion of fundamental
freedom and human rights for everyone,
irrespective of race, colour or creed and these
principles are enshrined in the UN human rights
instruments including the Universal Declaration
for Human Rights and the various covenants and
conventions.
Studies and
reports of the UN had highlighted racial
discrimination as a world-wide problem and, to
specifically address this issue, in 1963 the UN
adopted the UN Declaration on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination and subsequently, the
International Convention on the Elimination of
all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in
1965.
|
| |
| Definition - Racial
Discrimination Article 1 of ICERD
defines racial discrimination as:
'any
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference
based on race, colour, descent, or national or
ethnic origin which has the purpose of effect of
nullifying of impairing the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of
human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural or any
other field of public life.'
|
| |
| UN Mechanisms to Combat
Racism The UN Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination are
responsible for monitoring the implementation of
the Convention and holds regular sessions to
examine developments in this field.
Since 1973, the
United Nations' General Assembly has designated
three decades of action to combat racism and
racial discrimination. The UN has also organised
two World Conferences Against Racism in 1978 and
1983. These conferences primarily focused on
apartheid. But the scourge of racism continues to
plague all societies.
In 1993, the
General Assembly, in its resolution (A/RES/132 of
23 February 1993), proclaimed the 'Third Decade
to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination'.
In 1997, as
part of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and
Racial Discrimination, the General Assembly
decided (resolution 52/111) to convene the Third
World Conference Against Racism no later than
2001. The Commission on Human Rights, in it
resolution 2000/14, requested the preparatory
processes for the WCAR 'to identify trends,
priorities and obstacles at the national and
regional levels, to formulate specific
recommendations for the action to be carried out
in future to combat racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance and to submit to the Preparatory
Committee, by its 2001 session at the latest'.
The third World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) was
held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7
September 2001. A report on this latest WCAR can
be found at:
http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/A.Conf.189.12.En?Opendocument
|
| |
| Programme of
Action In general, the
Programme of Action is focused on groups like
African descents, indigenous, migrant, refugee,
asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons,
victims of trafficking, persons belonging to
national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities, women and children, HIV/AIDS, etc.
The main area
of concern is the equal access to health care,
education, employment, land, housing, social
services. The Programme of Action urges the
States and organisations to;
- Develop
and implement laws and policy as well as
independent national human rights
institutions
- Provide
preventive measures and mechanisms, and
- Promote
understanding and respect, raise
awareness, conduct research, etc.
The Declaration
and Programme of Action of the WCAR (the final
outcome of the World Conference and an important
document by which international standards will be
set) can be found at:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/Durban.htm
|
| |
Some Thoughts
- 'all forms
of racism and racial discrimination,
bearing in mind the definition provided
in Article 1 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of all
forms of Racial Discrimination, are among
the most serious violations of human
rights and must be combated. It expresses
regret at the lack of interest and
support for the Third Decade to Combat
Racism and Racial Discrimination and the
associated Program of Action, and
declares that racism and racial
discrimination must be eliminated with
respect to a whole spectrum of human
rights. All states who have not done so,
are encouraged to ratify relevant
international instruments with the
objective of putting an end to racism,
racial discrimination, discrimination
against migrants and slavery, and to
accept the provisions for individual
communications.' [The Sub-Commission on
the Promotion and the Protection of Human
Rights in Analytical Report of the 53rd
Session (Geneva, 30 July to 17 August
2001)]
- Whether
the Declaration and Programme of Action
of the WCAR will translate into action at
national and international levels depends
on the political will of states. The
Final Declaration and Programme of Action
will most likely be one of 'less action
and more rhetoric'. (Suhas Chakma)
|
| |
| A Christian
Perspective Why
is Racial Justice Special Enough to have its own
day?
Justice and Peace Scotland
Racial Justice Sunday, 10 September 2000
The barriers of
ethnicity, class, gender, age, power and wealth
were broken down by Jesus. The good news he
proclaimed has real liberating power to bring
about true spiritual and social change.
Christian
campaigning for racial justice is part of our
spiritual pilgrimage and discipline. It is
motivated by Biblical and Gospel values of
equality, justice, freedom, and dignity.
Christians hold
the biblical view that all human beings are
created by God in his image and likeness. Our
mission is set in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural
community. The rainbow mix of people is a gift
from God, and can be seen as a foretaste of life
in the heavenly kingdom. (Revelation 7:9-10)
Sadly the
reality, in many of our churches as in society at
large, falls far short of this biblical vision.
Racism is sin, and God is against it… What
is needed is a repentance that leads to active
reconciliation. As Christians, our commitment to
strive for racial justice must be more than an
observance just on this one Sunday, it must be a
commitment to work and pray for a process of
change.
In all our
magnificent diversity, we are united by our
humanity. We are one race, the Human Race.
|
| |
| Learning
from Others Web sites showing what
others had done/are doing about racial
discrimination can be found below:
In Canada -
Canadian Heritage is committed to playing a vital
role in the daily lives of Canadians. The
Department is responsible for national policies
and programs relating to broadcasting, cultural
industries, arts, heritage, official languages,
Canadian identity, Canadian symbols, exchanges,
multiculturalism and sport. In 1989, Canada began
the March 21 Campaign to promote racial harmony.
For more information, see:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/march-21-mars/
Government of
Canada and Canadian Youth Join the Fight Against
Racism also have a web site at:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/newsroom/news_e.cfm?Action=Display&Code=1NR195E
Human Rights
Watch' Campaign: End Caste Discrimination - The
web site can be found at:
http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/caste/
Sources:
- Suhas
Chakma, Looking Beyond Apartheid,
Indigenous Affairs 1/01
- Chandra
Roy, Racial Discrimination Against
Indigenous Peoples: A Global Perspective,
Indigenous Affairs 1/01
- Human
Rights Monitor, International Service for
Human Rights, number 55, 2001
|
| |
|