Roundup: UN marks International Day to eliminate racism

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged increased global efforts toward the aim of eliminating racial discrimination, saying that "an assault on one minority community is an attack on all."

"The world has undoubtedly come a long way in ensuring equal rights and non-discrimination" in the past 15 years, the UN chief said in his message to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Member states have adopted new laws and safeguards, and established new institutions dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, while civil society organizations worldwide working on racism are increasingly active and vocal, Ban noted.

This year, the International Day is devoted to challenges and achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action -- 15 years after the landmark document was adopted at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in South Africa.

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is the most comprehensive framework for fighting racism and related forms of intolerance and discrimination. It represents the firm commitment of the international community to tackle these issues, and serves as a basis for advocacy efforts worldwide.

It contains a broad range of measures aimed at combating racism in all of its manifestations, and underscores the human rights of all groups suffering from racial discrimination, emphasizing their right to participate freely and equally in political, social, economic and cultural life.

There is a clear need for putting into practice what was agreed to in Durban. This year's anniversary, following the 10-year anniversary observed in 2011, provides the opportunity to recommit to taking the actions outlined in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and for all countries, individually and collectively, to intensify efforts aimed at reducing instances of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

"Yet we have not yet done enough," the secretary-general said, adding that "Today we are witnessing a surge of intolerance, racist views and hate-driven violence."

He cited racial profiling and violence against certain communities as well as increased hostility towards minorities triggered by economic hardship and political opportunism. Such sentiment is being manifested most directly in anti-refugee, anti-migrant and, in particular, anti-Muslim bigotry, attacks and violence, he added.

Furthermore, extreme right-wing political parties are fomenting divisiveness and dangerous myths, and even once-centrist parties have hardened their views, he said.

In these tumultuous times, it is imperative to stand up for rights and dignity for all, and for diversity and pluralism, and speak out against anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hate, he urged.

Warning that the collective determination that enabled the far-reaching Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is being undermined by political expediency, Ban urged the implementation of the framework, which "can uplift not only those who suffer most profoundly but humanity as a whole."

In her message on the Day, Irina Bokova, the director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said that racial discrimination divides and kills.

It impedes peace between States and undermines social cohesion within increasingly diverse societies. Sectarian ideologists rely on hatred of the other to carry out large-scale ethnic and cultural cleansing. The historic refugee crisis serves as a pretext to foster prejudices and to foment rejection of others, she said.

"We need more than ever to redouble efforts at the global level to build the defences against racism and intolerance in the minds of every individual and within common institutions," Bokova said, noting that to counter this evil, "which feeds on ignorance and a hatred of others," UNESCO promotes global citizenship education and develops tools and expertise capable of enhancing mutual understanding, critical thinking and intercultural dialogue.

Among others, she noted the UN agency's Slave Route Project and initiatives such as the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022) and the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) as powerful platforms for adding depth to the dialogue to strike down racial prejudice. Endit