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March 21 serves as a significant reminder of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, coinciding with the painful commemoration of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre. During this tragic event, police in South Africa opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against apartheid, resulting in the deaths of 69 individuals.
The Ongoing Challenge of Racism
In a recent message for this observance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that, despite significant advancements over the years, the pervasive threat of racism continues to plague societies around the globe. He stated, “The poison of racism continues to infect our world – a toxic legacy of historic enslavement, colonialism and discrimination.” His remarks were delivered by Courtenay Rattray, the Chef de Cabinet, during a commemoration at the General Assembly.
Guterres characterized the International Convention as a pivotal global commitment to end racial discrimination, calling on all nations to not only ratify the Convention but to fully implement its provisions. He emphasized that addressing these issues is a collective duty, urging leaders in business, civil society, and communities to take action.
“This is our shared responsibility.”
In a related context, General Assembly President Philémon Yang addressed the urgent need to convert the principles outlined in the Convention into tangible actions. He stated that ambition must lead to real implementation, advocating for ongoing political will and international collaboration. “Let us ensure that dignity, equality, and justice are not vague aspirations but substantive realities,” he asserted, calling for a unified stance against racism and the cultivation of a society where equality is actively practiced.
The Rise of Xenophobia
Ilze Brands Kehris, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, echoed these sentiments, warning of a troubling surge in xenophobia, hate speech, and divisive rhetoric across the world. She pointed out that racism remains embedded in societal structures, affecting institutions and everyday interactions. Kehris urged that racial and ethnic minorities are persistently targeted and marginalized.
Reflection and Accountability
During the Assembly, Sarah Lewis, founder of the Vision & Justice initiative, highlighted the critical relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which serves as a framework for eradicating racism and safeguarding human rights. She stressed that many communities have historically been shaped by racial discrimination, posing a significant barrier to collective progress.
“When are we going to give up the lie that there is any basis for the idea that anyone is better than anyone else on the basis of race, colour, national origin or ethnic origin?” she challenged the assembled delegates.
The Role of Youth in Driving Change
A prominent theme during this observance was the integral role of youth in fostering solutions to racial inequality. General Assembly President Yang advocated for empowering young individuals, not only to shield them from discrimination but also to equip them as transformative agents.“Their voices must shape the policies and solutions that lead to a just and inclusive society,” he declared.
Supporting this sentiment, Ms. Brands Kehris emphasized the critical role of education in addressing and combating racism.“If we practice racism, we teach racism,” she said, urging a collective effort to correct historical injustices to set a positive precedent for future generations. Acknowledging past wrongs is vital for dismantling systemic racism and for promoting healing and equality.
Source
news.un.org