Press Release G/34/00
4 September 2000

ESCAP, UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER PREPARE
FOR WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) - Experts on human rights, racism and migration will meet in Bangkok to discuss the human rights of migrants, racism and human trafficking, especially of women and children, from 5 to 7 September 2000 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand

The meeting is a joint effort of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Dr. Nibhon Debavalya, Officer-in-charge, ESCAP, will open the meeting.

The seminar, entitled, “Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar of Experts in preparation for the World Conference against Racism: Migrants and trafficking in persons with particular reference to women and children,” is part of a series of four regional meetings being held in preparation for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which will take place in South Africa in September 2000.

The debates at the seminar will be led by a group of invited experts who will present papers dealing with various aspects of the issues being examined. These include human rights, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the region, with particular regard for migrants and trafficking in persons; exchange information on “best practices” in dealing with racism; discussion of action-oriented strategies; and encouragement of a groundswell of Governmental, institutional and public support for the World Conference and its goals.

Provisional Agenda

The programme of the seminar will include the following topics:

• Discrimination against Migrants in the Asian Region: General trends, priorities and obstacles in combating racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

• The Human Rights of Migrants: The Principle of Non-Discrimination, Social Responsibility and Development

• Racism, Migration and Gender in the Asian Region

• The Link between Racism and Trafficking in Persona in the Region of Asia: An Overview of the problem and regional and international measures

• Case Studies on Trafficking, including both send and receiving countries

• Racism, Trafficking and the Human Rights of Children

• The Human Rights Nexus between Racism, Discrimination against Migrant and Trafficking in Persons

• Protecting Migrants and Combating Trafficking in Persons: National Legislation, Regional Arrangements, the International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination

• Action by Governments and national institutions: best practices

• Action by NGOs and civil society: best practices

Background

In 1997 the United Nations General Assembly expressed concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, ethnic antagonism and acts of violence were showing signs of increase. In addition, it saw that new contemporary forms of racism had emerged such as dissemination of racist and xenophobic propaganda through the Internet.

In its resolution 51/111, the General Assembly decided to convene a third United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that "will be action-oriented and focus on practical measures to eradicate racism, including measures of prevention, education and protection through the provision of effective remedies."

As Secretary-General of the World Conference, High Commission for Human Rights Mary Robinson is convening expert seminars in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America in close cooperation with United Nations regional economic commissions.

For further information, please contact:

United Nations Information Services/Bangkok

Tel: (66-2) 288-1861-5; Fax: (66-2) 288-1052

E-mail: unisbkk.unescap.org