Human Rights Council holds general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance

AFTERNOON

27 September 2011

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance after hearing from the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards.

Abdul Samad Minty, South Africa, presenting the report of the Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards, said the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards had held the first part of its third session in November 2010 and the second part in April 2011. The Chairperson had appealed to all attendees to protect victims of racial discrimination and to use their diversity to find common ground to fight racism and racial discrimination. Regional groups had come closer together in the spirit of compromise to arrive at a consensual outcome. Further consultations would occur on two topics: xenophobia and the establishment and maintenance of national mechanisms to prevent xenophobia. A document would be produced to facilitate these consultations and circulated among delegations so they could engage and negotiate with one another on the topic.

In the general debate, speakers observed, among other issues, the need to take action against or prosecute acts of religious intolerance, hate crimes, discrimination and incitement to religious hatred. They also discussed the integration of Roma people, anti-Semitism, extremist groups and political parties, racist discourse and hate speech, and women’s rights. Speakers were encouraged that the international community had renewed its commitment to combat racism by adopting a declaration to commemorate the anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action with consensus. The necessity for awareness-raising campaigns to address the issue of discrimination was noted. Speakers warned about the election of some fascist and semi-fascist parties to parliament in some countries, and the tendency to label immigrants, especially migrant workers, as scapegoats for the ills of the society; this was a dangerous phenomenon. Speakers raised concerns about Islamophobia, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and new forms of racism such as discriminatory immigration policies, in addition to attitudes and dehumanization towards migrants and conditions of inequality for persons of African descent.

Speaking in the interactive dialogue were Pakistan on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Poland speaking on behalf of the European Union, Switzerland, China, United States, Russian Federation, Cuba, Guatemala, Uruguay, Kuwait, Senegal on behalf of the African Group, Turkey, France, Algeria, Germany, Morocco and Venezuela.

Also speaking were representatives of the following non-governmental organizations: World Muslim Congress, Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme, International Educational Development, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l'amitié entre les peuples, Agency of Cities of North South Cities, Fraternite Notre Dame, International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations, International Human Rights Association of American Minorities, International Humanist and Ethical Union, North South XXI, African Commission on Health and Human Rights Promoters, International Buddhist Relief Organization, Comite International pour le respect et l’Application de la Charte des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, Organisation Camerounaise de Promotion de la Cooperation Economique Internationale, Espace Afrique International, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Association of World Citizens, International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, Indian Movement Tupaj Amaru Liberation, Sudwind, World Environment and Resource Council, Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme, Commission to Study the Organization of Peace and Indian Council of South America.

The Council will resume its work at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, 28 September to hold a high-level panel discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights through tolerance and reconciliation.

Documentation

The Report on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards on its 3rd session, (A/HRC/18/36), is a summary of proceedings and the discussions which took place during the third session of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards. After consultations and facilitation to identify issues to be considered by the Committee, preliminary substantive discussions took place on ‘Xenophobia’ and ‘Establishment, Designation or Maintaining of National Mechanisms with Competences to Protect Against and Prevent All Forms and Manifestations of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance’, in view of more comprehensive discussions on these topics and other issues during the fourth session of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards.

Presentation of Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards

ABDUL SAMAD MINTY (South Africa), delivering the statement of the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards, said the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards had held the first part of its third session in November 2010 and the second part in April 2011. The Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations was elected as the Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Committee’s session. The Chairperson had appealed to all attendees to protect victims of racial discrimination and to use their diversity to find common ground to fight racism and racial discrimination. The Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations had encouraged a consensual outcome and regional groups had come closer together in the spirit of compromise to arrive at a consensual outcome. Further consultations would occur on two topics: xenophobia and the establishment and maintenance of national mechanisms to prevent xenophobia. A document would be produced to facilitate these consultations and would be circulated among delegations so they could engage and negotiate with one another on the topic. The Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards would agree on the fourth session to take place in 2012 which would be transparent so that delegations could fully explore the issues at the session.

General Debate on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

SAEED SARWAR (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, said 10 years ago, the international community had expressed its firm commitment to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance by adopting the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The Organization for Islamic Cooperation was encouraged that the international community had renewed it commitment to combat racism by adopting a declaration to commemorate this anniversary with consensus. In spite of concerted efforts by the international community, the scourge of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance remained. The High Commissioner had underlined that States must confront the gap between commitments made at the time and the effective action actually undertaken. The Organization for Islamic Cooperation supported this assessment. The reaffirmation should not be a rhetorical occasion. There was a need to take action against acts of religious intolerance, hate crimes, discrimination, intimidation and coercion and incitement to religious hatred. Resolution 16/18 did not replace the Organization for Islamic Cooperation’s earlier resolution on battling defamation of religion. The Organization for Islamic Cooperation noted with concern that the High Commissioner chose to omit the Ad Hoc Committee as one of the key mechanisms for combating racism. The Organization for Islamic Cooperation hoped the High Commissioner would continue to support the key mechanisms dealing with the subject including the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards.

ANDRZEJ SADOS (Poland), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union had continued to organize awareness-raising campaigns to address the issue of discrimination. For example, for the eighth time this year, the European Union was running a journalism award for print and online journalists focused on discrimination and diversity issues in the European Union. The biggest challenge for the European Union remained the integration of Roma people, a challenge that was being tackled in the most comprehensive manner. In June of this year, the European Union framework for national Roma integration was endorsed at the highest political level. European leaders backed a plan to end the centuries old exclusion of the continent’s Roma minority. Under the European Union Framework for national Roma integration strategies, each of the 27 countries in the European Union would set out how they intended to improve the situation of the most vulnerable Roma communities living in their territory. Member States would have to address four key areas for better social and economic integration in education, employment, healthcare and housing, by setting out measures proportionate to their Roma population. The fight against racism and xenophobia remained a global challenge that demanded a multilateral response and the European Union called on all States to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

BARBARA FONTANA (Switzerland) thanked the Special Rapporteur for his work and commitment to the fight against racism. Switzerland appreciated the rights based approach he used and welcomed his recommendations. The number of extremist groups and parties remained a cause of concern. The consolidation of democracy was key in order to combat racism and discrimination, including multiple forms of discrimination. Switzerland recognized the central place that victims occupied in the report of the Special Rapporteur. The fight against racism at all levels was one of Switzerland’s priorities. It was embodied in the Constitution and criminal code and served as the basis for policy. The ratification of treaties and international instruments, including the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and follow up components, was important. Switzerland believed that the existing international instruments provided sufficient protection; however implementation was necessary. Respect for the rule of law and human rights should be a precondition for the continued struggle against racism.

YANG CHUANHUI (China) said that racism violated the basic values of equality and freedom. Various forms of racism had emerged one after another and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference had provided a good basis for fighting racism. China welcomed the General Assembly’s convening of a high level conference to discuss this issue. Under no pretext should there be space for racism to develop and all Member States should work for the promotion and protection of equal rights.

EMILY NARKIS (United States) said the United States was profoundly committed to ending racism and racial discrimination. The concerns of the United States about the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action were well known, including its unfair singling out of Israel and its endorsement of overbroad restrictions on freedom of expression that ran counter to the United States commitment to robust free speech. The United States had pledged $ 650,000 to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to develop and disseminate an anti-racism educational curriculum. The United States was working with Brazil and Columbia on action plans to promote racial and ethnic equality, sharing best practices and implementing programmes to improve access to the justice system, political institutions, employment, health care, education and environmental justice for people of African descent and indigenous peoples.

ROMAN KASHAEV (Russian Federation) said that combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and racial intolerance was one of the main tasks of the United Nations. The Russian Federation noted with concern that in many countries these did not only exist, but they were also on the rise. The Russian Federation welcomed the commemorative conference held in New York on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to reaffirm in solidarity the international community’s rejection of intolerance. The Russian Federation further noted with concern that some countries refused to participate in this conference. This approach was unjustified. Some political forces, particularly in Europe, were attempting to promote selfish interests. Events such as meetings of the Waffen SS division were taking place in some European countries and fascist and semi-fascist parties had been elected to parliament in some countries. Finally, the Russian Federation reiterated the importance of combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in all its forms.

YUMIRKA FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba) said 10 years following the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Cuba regretted that not all of their recommendations had been implemented. Cuba noted that there were new forms of racism and intolerance that had emerged, especially in the industrialized countries of the north, including a number of associations and political parities engaged in racism and a proliferation of discriminatory migration policies against groups such as Gypsies and the Roma who were treated unequally. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action were all the more relevant today and Cuba highlighted the importance of the work of the inter-governmental Working Group and supported the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards and called on all Member States to support the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee.

LUISA BONILLA DE GALVAO DE QUEIROZ (Guatemala) said in August Guatemala had celebrated the Year of Persons of African Descent. Conditions of inequality persisted for persons of African descent. Persons of African descent represented over a billion people and over 15 per cent of the world population. The Afro-descended population had participated with the aim of strengthening their own rights. The day of the Garifuna people was celebrated and efforts were made for the people to participate in government decision making. After the ratification of the Peace Agreement in 1996 Guatemala had sought to eliminate discrimination. Guatemala had a presidential commission on the elimination of racism and discrimination.

FEDERICO PERAZZA (Uruguay) said that Uruguay had been setting up policies to eradicate discrimination, particularly on the basis of race or against ethnic groups. When Uruguay became an independent country, discrimination against indigenous populations had been prevalent. Much had been done since then from the point of view of civil society and public policies. Despite progress made, challenges remained. This was clear in differences of income, access to education and employment and recognition of the contributions of indigenous groups to the Uruguayan nation. There had been improvements in the legal framework against discrimination and promotion of equal opportunities for African descendents, and increasing awareness of the issue had contributed to the improvement of the Government’s efforts to combat racism and discrimination. Since 1996 Uruguay had made achievements concerning the recognition of the different racial and ethnic components of society, including the incorporation of racial and ethnic dimensions in the latest census on the basis of self-categorization. Uruguay believed that much had been done but there was still a long way to go to address the situation of those who still suffered from discrimination.

HAYA AL-DURAIE (Kuwait) said Kuwait appreciated the efforts made by the Human Rights Council to fight racism and intolerance. Kuwait fully supported the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and its legislation fully supported the protection of human rights, including against discrimination based on ethnicity or race so that all were equal before the law in their rights and duties. Kuwait had established a number of national mechanisms to protect and promote human rights including the Committee on Women, which followed up on the affairs of Kuwaiti women locally and nationally. Kuwaiti legislation forbade intolerance and religious hatred which applied on all religions without naming any one religion. Kuwait attached great importance to the principle of equality and the rights of the human being came above all.

MOUHAMADOU LAMINE THIAW (Senegal), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that it was regrettable that procedural questions and fixed positions had impeded any progress, especially since racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance were urgent issues. The acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance had become daily matters. Even though the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2001 were adopted to deal with these issues, these phenomena had become commonplace. In light of this situation, the Ad Hoc Committee was the ideal place to break the deadlock and provide solutions to these issues. The African Group hoped these initiatives would help stakeholders to take the measures within the Ad Hoc Committee to address the victims of racism.

REFIK ALI ONANV (Turkey) said that racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia constituted an attack on human dignity. Despite continuing efforts, their manifestations in new and subtle forms presented a permanent challenge to the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms. Racist discourse and hate speech targeted in particular the vulnerable groups. There was a moral and legal obligation to protect the dignity of individuals and their right to be free from discrimination. There was no contradiction in simultaneously protecting people against racial discourse and incitement to racial and religious hatred and ensuring that freedom of expression remained one of the key pillars of societies. The discrimination and violence that increasingly affected immigrants remained a serious challenge. The tendency to label immigrants, especially migrant workers, as scapegoats for the ills of the society was a dangerous phenomenon. As a result, a xenophobic public discourse had gained ground and affected the code of social behaviour. Immigrants had started to witness manifestations of discriminatory attitudes at border control office and a code of conduct should be elaborated for border officers to prevent discriminatory behaviour. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the consensual outcome of the Review Conference in 2009 should contribute to the elaboration of policies against racism all over the world.

RAPHAEL TRAPP (France) said that in August 2010, the Committee against the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had examined the report submitted by France and at this occasion France had reaffirmed its commitment to fight racism and to prepare a national plan to combat racism and anti-Semitism. Several inter-ministerial meetings were held along with consultations with the National Consultative Commission for Human Rights to draft a plan that would cover many areas, including awareness-raising about the benefits of a diverse society and a sensitization to the population of these problems, notably to the young and public agencies. The national plan was in the finalization process.

BOUALEM CHEBIH (Algeria) said Algeria expressed appreciation for the presentation of the report and the effort of the Ambassador of South Africa, Jerry Matjila, during the third session of the Special Committee on Complementary Standards. Algeria expressed support for the mandate of the mechanism and welcomed the proposal concerning the establishment of national mechanisms to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Algeria considered that in order for the Council to fulfill its mandate the notion of gaps in the existing international instruments should not be interpreted in abstract, but should address the imprecision in the existing norms which prevented them from adequately responding to contemporary forms of racism and generated protection gaps.

KAI BALDOW (Germany) said that the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance had always been a central element of Germany’s human rights policy. Germany attached great importance to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racism. As a signatory to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Germany had made continuous efforts to make the Durban process more efficient through concrete and action-oriented projects. At the same time, Germany had consistently rejected what was seen as attempts to use the international fight against racism and xenophobia for other political agendas. Therefore, Germany decided not to participate in the commemorative event on the tenth anniversary of the Durban World Conference against Racism. Germany remained committed to the fight against racism and would engage to refocus the debate on the actual issue on the table, to combat all forms of discrimination. Germany hoped that other delegations would help make efforts more effective.

MOHAMED ACHGALOU (Morocco) said the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards had reconciled diverging views on the matter to achieve agreement on two important themes. The concern of Morocco related to the worrying rise in xenophobia and intolerance of different racial and xenophobic groups. An approach that concentrated on victims was highly advisable and there should be a note of the acts committed against minorities, refugees and migrants who were all victims of racist phenomena. It was urgent to show political will to combat various forms of racism.

EDGARDO TORO CARRENO (Venezuela) said the constitution of Venezuela paved the way for a multi-ethnic society and equal opportunities for all. Adopted laws had established a mechanism to prosecute the incitement of discrimination as a punishable act. Venezuela’s stance manifested the intent to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all its forms. The mandate given by the Human Rights Council should support debates to help move in that direction. Venezuela reaffirmed its firm commitment to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

SYED FAIZ NAQSHBANDI, of World Muslim Congress, said the Council was meeting to discuss the terrible surge of racism that continued to have a global effect. While some progress had been made since the signing of the Durban Declaration, in recent years progress had slowed down. The World Muslim Congress drew attention to human rights abuses deriving from the caste system in India. While India claimed to be the largest democracy in the world, a large part of its population suffered from human rights violations on the basis of their race and social status. The Durban Declaration condemned legislation, norms and practices which promoted racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The World Muslim Congress urged the Council to pay attention to this issue.

ALINE HERRERA, of Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme, drew the attention of the Council to the conditions in which some countries in the European Union and Central Africa dealt with immigration, including policies preventing African immigrants from reaching the European continent. Communities in Central Africa did not have freedom of transit and a number of people had been expelled to Cameroon, where the process of expulsion was a barbarous attack, the people who were being expelled were mistreated and sent back on old boats and forced to reach the next city on foot. The Council should recommend that countries of the European Union fully respect the right to asylum and take into account humanitarian factors before proceeding to the expulsion of immigrants.

KAREN PARKER, of International Educational Development, said that numerous appeals had been submitted to the several Special Advisers to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities on the attacks against Tamil civilians and international aid workers. Similar urgent appeals were sent to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism. However, there was no public response from either mandate until, in April 2009, the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, issued a statement, clearly too late to prevent mass atrocities, which in fact had already been taking place over the prior three years. The Sinhala majority in Sri Lanka had carried out widespread discrimination against the Tamil people from the moment of independence.

GOLSHAN PAZHOOH, of Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, said that Islamophobia was a mixture of exclusion, discrimination, intolerance and fear which stemmed from a lack of respect for other traditions and values enshrined in various human rights conventions and was unfortunately expanding its shadow to more and more regions. The tendency to paint Muslims with the same brush as extremists was repugnant. The media was responsible for the depiction of Islam and Muslims as a threat to other civilizations. The promulgation of certain laws concerning the ban of the hijab was a flagrant violation of basic human rights principles.

GIANFRANCO FATTORINI, of Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l'amitié entre les peuples, said France and other countries had boycotted the commemoration event held in New York of the Durban Conference. During the election campaign for the 2012 legislative and presidential elections, French political officials at the highest level had launched into racist diatribes. In Norway the incident on 22 July could not be seen as an isolated act. There was a duty to learn the lessons of the past. Concerning the massacre of dozens of Algerians who 50 years ago were demonstrating in the streets of Paris, families should have a right to reparations.

MEHRAN BALUCH, of Agency of Cities of North South Cities, said the struggle was for national survival. General Musharaf called Baloch leaders pygmies. This year, the abduction of Hindu high priest Maharaja Luckmi Chand Garij from Kalat led to an increased sense of insecurity for the Hindu minority in Baluchistan.

SABINE LEGRAND, of Fraternite Notre Dame, alerted the Council about an alarming aggravation of persecutions against Christians in Mongolia. Fraternite Notre Dame had been running a free school and orphanage. In a harassing way, journalists with a communist tendency had incited inspectors from Social Services and followers of the same ideas to attack children and question them on religious matters. Fraternite Notre Dame called for an end of such odious discrimination and persecution unworthy of a country which called itself a democracy but banned freedom of education.

ALTAF HUSSAIN WANI, of International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations, said that the need for joint international action against racism had rarely been as urgent as it was today. The conditions of those suffering from racism and racial discrimination had deteriorated over time. Combating racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance required conviction, consistency, perseverance and political will. Across Europe, far right extremism was on the rise, especially targeting Muslims. In India it was unfortunate that several age old practices and institutions like the caste system remained to be addressed. The Council should accord the utmost importance to the agenda for the elimination of race based discrimination.

ISHTIYAQ HAMEED, of International Human Rights Association of American Minorities, said the reality was that racism and Islamophobia continued even today and a global fight was necessary if there was to be headway made in resolving these global issues. A global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all of their abhorrent and evolving forms and manifestations was a matter of priority for the international community and the Durban Declaration and its Programme of Action offered a unique and historical opportunity for assessing and identifying all dimensions of such devastating evils of humanity. Racism in Indian-held Kashmir had played a part in the most serious of human rights abuses.

ROY BROWN, of International Humanist and Ethical Union, said there was little discussion in the Council of the rampant demonization of Jews propagated almost daily in the Arab media, such as a call for a new Holocaust and books that promoted blood libel against the Jews. Why had the Syrian, Egyptian and other Arab Governments not banned such material and books that preached hate as they were required to do under Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

ADELYN OBED MORENO, of North South XXI, said Dalits continued to face discrimination in India. Dalit women were the most oppressed part of this community. These women were sometimes forced into the Devadasis system. Once dedicated a Devadasis could not marry and was often forced to become a prostitute. Approximately 1.3 million Dalits made their living by manual scavenging - the most indecent form of work.

ANA LEURINDA, of African Commission on Health and Human Rights Promoters, said it was humans’ intelligence and critical spirit that was called upon to give justice to those who lived on the fringes of the planet. Racism was an expropriation and hid behind great principles.

CATHERINE ESTILLERE, of International Buddhist Relief Organization, said there was a deteriorating human rights situation among the aboriginal population living in the northwest of India, who were referred to as Adivasis. The homeland of the Adivasis people had been taken for industrialization and the Adivasis had suffered from higher rates of poverty, landlessness, malnutrition, unemployment and internal displacement than other sections of the society in addition to lower levels of literacy and less access to health services. The construction of several dams in Manipur had resulted in the forced resettlement or endangerment of the traditional lifestyles of Adivasis communities.

VIBHAWARI KAMBLE, of Comite International pour le respect et l’Application de la Charte des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, said the caste system operated on the basis of exclusion, segregation, discrimination, surveillance and deviation. The discrimination faced by Dalits who constituted 15.2 per cent of the population and the absence of a level playing field for them had the potential to snowball into a major conflict and human rights issue. The denial of opportunities and discrimination based on caste were violations of human rights. The Human Rights Council should consider this ongoing atrocity under the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The caste based atrocity was actually a silent genocide against the Dalit community.

SARDAR AMJAD YOUSAF, of Organisation Camerounaise de Promotion de la Cooperation Economique Internationale, said that the Durban outcomes adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September were a big breakthrough but most States still opted to remain outside and showed their indifference. Since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action it had been assumed that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance would come to an end. The progress however had been slow, with incidents of racism and xenophobia on the rise. All nation States must show political will in implementation of the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

AWA N'DIAYE, of Espace Afrique International, said that this was the International Year of People of African Descent and drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to the situation of the population of Shashamane of Ethiopia, who had been a victim of the black slave trade and who had decided to return to the land of their ancestors, Africa. Their children born in Ethiopia were stateless, had no freedom of movement and had no solution to take them out of the dead end situation. Although the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action had called on the international community to support the return of people of African descent, nothing much had been done for this community. The stateless children of Africa had a right to an investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the international community in cooperation with specialised agencies such as Espace Afrique International.
ANATAR SINGH SEKHON, of Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, expressed concern about the intimidation, heavy-handedness and reprisals against individuals and groups seeking to cooperate or who had cooperated with the United Nations in the area of human rights. A large number of cases against those who had cooperated with the United Nations or on human rights continued to be reported in India. Some cases had also been quoted in the report of the Secretary-General. The Centre requested the Council to investigate all acts of intimidations, such as the case of Teesta Setalvad in India.

GENEVIEVE JOURDAN, of Association of World Citizens, thanked the European Union and the United Nations Children's Fund for addressing the situation of the Roma community and steps to better integrate the Roma and respect their human rights. The Association of World Citizens also recognized South Africa for talking about poor people and immigrants. There was a process of dehumanization and lack of concern reflected in the differences in treatment depending on people’s origin as seen in the case of immigrants on boats being sent back, including pregnant women, in order to avoid undergoing a difficult process. The Association of World Citizens hoped to further discuss with European leaders how immigration policies could be framed in the context of human rights.

JAN LONN, of International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, said the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was, despite the many odds against it, successfully celebrated. The unprecedented disinformation campaign organized against the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was done by a number of countries that had a slave trading past. A global mobilization campaign was needed to recover lost ground on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action which should be followed by a five year plan for the fifteenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

LAZARO PARY, of Indian Movement Tupaj Amaru, said the causes of racial discrimination were due to the rise of colonial strife and the relationship man had to its mode of production, a development model that served the interests of the major powers. Colonial despotism had excluded the aboriginals from their wealth. Racism had no scientific basis, there were no races; in society there were only social classes with competing forces. The West was not concerned about human rights or democracy but was interested in controlling and plunging the major oil reserves in the world. The actual economic international order should be transformed to tackle racism.

INDRA ATHAWALT, of Liberation, drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to the intolerance and discrimination against the Dalits of India. Although the law protected the Dalits, they faced significant discrimination in accessing basic services, places of warship and land and employment opportunities. Intervention was needed in the private sector to ensure that the Dalits were not discriminated against. Secular India was not ready to provide the Buddhist minority with the same opportunities and Liberation called on the Human Rights Council to ensure the end of discrimination against the Dalits.

SHOLEH ZAMINI, of Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, said that the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and of the Working Group of Experts had covered structural discrimination of people of African descent, but the coverage had not been sufficient in Northern Africa and in the Middle East and Asia. Many countries in Asia enjoyed cultural and ethnic diversity, with conflicts emerging between different ethnic groups and this issue must be treated sensitively. Sudwind pleaded the implementation and better allocation of resources to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and urged the Special Rapporteur to visit Iran and other countries in the region.

UVARAJA CHIANASWAMY KANDASAMY, of World Environment and Resource Council, said that minorities in many countries were not allowed to worship freely and gender discrimination had been taken to extremes. Teams of human rights activists supported by the global community must rush to areas where systems of governance had systematically discriminated against different segments of society. In the field of education and economic development there was a need for more focused programmes to be implemented to ensure that people living in different parts of the world had adequate opportunities. International solidarity required the willingness to sacrifice one’s own benefit for the sake of the welfare of others. The World Environment and Resource Council hoped that the sensibilities of the global community would surmount the inherent obstacles created by national interests.

BIRO DIAWARA, of Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme, said they had been fully involved in the Durban process since 2001, organizing a forum for non-governmental organizations in Dakar and had actively participated in the forum for non-governmental organizations during the Review Conference in Geneva. Exclusion, contemporary forms of racism and discrimination were present throughout the world. Unfortunately, no special events had been organized in Geneva to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration or the International Year of People of African Descent. States should renew their commitments to the Durban Declaration through updating their reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, strengthening anti-discrimination measures and providing adequate resources, research and restoration of historical monuments, and national programmes to combat racism.

MOHINI DHANJEE, of Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, said religion had always played an extremely important role in human existence. Every religion preached that individuals should retain their right to freely choose their unique manner of communion with their creator. The tragedy of mankind was that in every faith there were people whose prime interests was power and who excelled at interpreting religious tenants to ensure their dominance over others. The most recent manifestation of how religion could be misused for the purposes of violence was the agenda of Al Qaeda articulated first by Osama Bin Laden and subsequently by the leaders of many affiliate groups. The most glaring example of the misuse of religion for oppressive purposes was the treatment being meted out to the Ahmadiyas in Pakistan.

RONALD BARNES, of Indian Council of South America, said that the right to self-determination was being systematically suppressed by States that had not wanted to address important issues which were causing grave human rights violations. The United States had refused to grant justice to Leonard Peltier, the symbol of injustice to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, who was unjustly imprisoned for more than 35 years despite calls to free him, most recently during the Universal Periodical Review of the Human Rights Council.
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