|
Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
|
Date 12
March 2004
Press Release No: L/05/2004
THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE
ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION,
21 March 2004
On 21 March 1960, a non-violent protest took place
in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the “pass laws”
– one of the most hated institutions of apartheid; it ended
with the death of 69 demonstrators. The Sharpeville massacre
was a landmark in the history of the anti-apartheid movement.
It also led the United Nations General Assembly to establish
this annual observance, which is meant to draw attention to
the fight against racism wherever and whenever it occurs.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide,
reminding us of the horrors that ethnic and racial hatred can
cause. This year is also the bicentenary of the revolution in
Haiti, which led to the liberation from slavery of the peoples
of the Caribbean and Latin America. And the General Assembly
has proclaimed 2004 the International Year to Commemorate the
Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition. What must link these
observances is not only our honouring the memory of the victims
of past tragedies, but also our determination to save others
from becoming the victims of similar tragedies in the future.
That means reversing the lasting consequences
of slavery and the slave-trade. The historical injustices of
slavery and the slave trade have contributed to the poverty,
underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion, economic
disparities, instability and insecurity that affect many people
in different parts of the world, in particular in developing
countries. At the United Nations World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in
2001, States acknowledged that slavery and the slave trade were
appalling tragedies in the history of humanity, and among the
major sources of racism. The United Nations remains strongly
committed to helping people and countries to overcome this legacy,
while at the same time combating contemporary forms of slavery
-- such as forced labour, including for the purpose of sexual
exploitation -- that remain a blight on our collective conscience.
Racism is also among the roots of genocide. Racist
practices, racist ideologies and dehumanizing public discourse
that denies whole groups of people their dignity and rights
must be condemned. More than that, we must strengthen our capacity
for early warning and prevention of genocide, mass murder, ethnic
cleansing and comparable crimes, and truly support efforts at
bringing perpetrators to justice, for example through the International
Criminal Court. I expect soon to appoint a United Nations special
adviser on the prevention of genocide, and to make other proposals
for strengthening our action in this area.
Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect
for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where
peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected. We
look to Governments, in particular, for political will and resolute
action. On this international day for the elimination of racial
discrimination, let us all be inspired anew by the fundamental
principle, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of the equality
of all human beings.
* *** *
