Vernellia R. Randall
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Race
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Having met in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 8
September 2001,
Expressing deep appreciation to the Government of South
Africa for hosting this World Conference,
Drawing inspiration from the heroic struggle of the people
of South Africa against the institutionalized system of apartheid, as
well as for equality and justice under democracy, development, the rule
of law and respect for human rights, recalling in this context the
important contribution to that struggle of the international community
and, in particular, the pivotal role of the people and Governments of
Africa, and noting the important role that different actors of civil
society, including non-governmental organizations, played in that
struggle and in ongoing efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993,
calls for the speedy and comprehensive elimination of all forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/74 of
18 April 1997, General Assembly resolution 52/111 of
12 December 1997 and subsequent resolutions of those bodies
concerning the convening of the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and recalling also
the two World Conferences to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,
held in Geneva in 1978 and 1983, respectively,
Noting with grave concern that despite the efforts of the
international community, the principal objectives of the three Decades
to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination have not been attained and
that countless human beings continue to the present day to be victims of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling that the year 2001 is the International Year of
Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance, aimed at drawing the world’s attention to the
objectives of the World Conference and giving new momentum to the
political commitment to eliminate all forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Welcoming the decision of the General Assembly to proclaim
the year 2001 as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among
Civilizations, which underlines tolerance and respect for diversity and
the need to seek common ground among and within civilizations in order
to address common challenges to humanity that threaten shared values,
universal human rights and the fight against racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, through cooperation,
partnership and inclusion,
Welcoming also the proclamation by the General Assembly of
the period 2001-2010 as the Decade for a Culture of Peace and
Non-Violence for Children of the World, as well as the adoption by the
General Assembly of the Declaration and Plan of Action on a Culture of
Peace,
Recognizing that the World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, in
conjunction with the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous
People, presents a unique opportunity to consider the invaluable
contributions of indigenous peoples to political, economic, social,
cultural and spiritual development throughout the world to our
societies, as well as the challenges faced by them, including racism and
racial discrimination,
Recalling the United Nations Declaration on the Granting
of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 1960,
Reaffirming our commitment to the purposes and principles
contained in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights,
Affirming that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance constitute a negation of the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Reaffirming the principles of equality and
non-discrimination in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status,
Convinced of the fundamental importance of universal
accession to or ratification of and full implementation of our
obligations arising under the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as the principal
international instrument to eliminate racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recognizing the fundamental importance for States, in
combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related
intolerance, to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to all relevant
international human rights instruments, with a view to universal
adherence,
Having taken note of the reports of the regional
conferences organized at Strasbourg, Santiago, Dakar and Tehran and
other inputs from States, as well as the reports of expert seminars,
non-governmental organization regional meetings and other meetings
organized in preparation for the World Conference,
Noting with appreciation the Vision Statement launched by
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa under the patronage of
The Honourable Nelson Mandela, first President of the new South Africa,
and at the initiative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights and Secretary‑General of the World Conference, and signed
by seventy-four heads of State, heads of Government and
dignitaries,
Reaffirming that cultural diversity is a cherished asset
for the advancement and welfare of humanity at large and should be
valued, enjoyed, genuinely accepted and embraced as a permanent feature
which enriches our societies,
Acknowledging that no derogation from the prohibition of
racial discrimination, genocide, the crime of apartheid and slavery is
permitted, as defined in the obligations under the relevant human rights
instruments,
Having listened to the peoples of the world and
recognizing their aspirations to justice, to equality of opportunity for
all and everyone, to the enjoyment of their human rights, including the
right to development, to live in peace and freedom and to equal
participation without discrimination in economic, social, cultural,
civil and political life,
Recognizing that the equal participation of all
individuals and peoples in the formation of just, equitable, democratic
and inclusive societies can contribute to a world free from racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Emphasizing the importance of the equitable participation
of all, without any discrimination, in domestic as well as global
decision-making,
Affirming that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance, where they amount to racism and racial
discrimination, constitute serious violations of and obstacles to the
full enjoyment of all human rights and deny the self‑evident truth
that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, are
an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among peoples and
nations, and are among the root causes of many internal and
international conflicts, including armed conflicts, and the consequent
forced displacement of populations,
Recognizing that national and international actions are
required to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance, in order to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights,
economic, social, cultural, civil and political, which are universal,
indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and to improve the living
conditions of men, women and children of all nations,
Reaffirming the importance of the enhancement of
international cooperation for the promotion and protection of human
rights and for the achievement of the objectives of the fight against
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Acknowledging that xenophobia, in its different
manifestations, is one of the main contemporary sources and forms of
discrimination and conflict, combating which requires urgent attention
and prompt action by States, as well as by the international community,
Fully aware that, despite efforts undertaken by the
international community, Governments and local authorities, the scourge
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance persists and continues to result in violations of human
rights, suffering, disadvantage and violence, which must be combated by
all available and appropriate means and as a matter of the highest
priority, preferably in cooperation with affected communities,
Noting with concern the continued and violent occurrence
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
and that theories of superiority of certain races and cultures over
others, promoted and practised during the colonial era, continue to be
propounded in one form or another even today,
Alarmed by the emergence and continued occurrence of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in
their more subtle and contemporary forms and manifestations, as well as
by other ideologies and practices based on racial or ethnic
discrimination or superiority,
Strongly rejecting any doctrine of racial superiority,
along with theories which attempt to determine the existence of
so-called distinct human races,
Recognizing that failure to combat and denounce racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance by all,
especially by public authorities and politicians at all levels, is a
factor encouraging their perpetuation,
Reaffirming that States have the duty to protect and
promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all victims, and
that they should apply a gender[i]
perspective, recognizing the multiple forms of discrimination which
women can face, and that the enjoyment of their civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights is essential for the development of
societies throughout the world,
Recognizing both the challenges and opportunities
presented by an increasingly globalized world in relation to the
struggle to eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance,
Determined, in an era when globalization and technology
have contributed considerably to bringing people together, to
materialize the notion of a human family based on equality, dignity and
solidarity, and to make the twenty-first century a century of human
rights, the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance and the realization of genuine equality of
opportunity and treatment for all individuals and peoples,
Reaffirming the principles of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples and recalling that all individuals are
born equal in dignity and rights, stressing that such equality must be
protected as a matter of the highest priority and recognizing the duty
of States to take prompt, decisive and appropriate measures with a view
to eliminating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance,
Dedicating ourselves to combating the scourge of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance fully and
effectively as a matter of priority, while drawing lessons from
manifestations and past experiences of racism in all parts of the world
with a view to avoiding their recurrence,
[i]
For the purpose of this Declaration and Programme of Action, it was
understood that the term “gender” refers to the two sexes, male
and female, within the context of society. The term “gender”
does not indicate any meaning different from the above. [ii]
Reference should be made to chapter VII of the report of the
Conference, which lists all the reservations to and statements on
the Declaration and the Programme of Action. |
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