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Racism
and Racial Discrimination Agenda
item 115: Right of peoples to self-determination Mr.
Chairman, Disturbing
attempts are being made of late to reinterpret some of the basic
principles enshrined in the UN Charter and to apply them selectively,
notwithstanding the problems, nay havoc likely to be created. Our concern
applies particularly to the principle of self-determination and equal
rights enshrined in the Charter. The principle was intended to help the
process of decolonisation and return of sovereignty to those countries
subjugated by armed conquest and ruled by force with unequal rights and
freedoms. This principle, as spelt out in Articles 1(1) and 55 of the
Charter, specifies equality of rights and self determination with the
underpinning concept of sovereignty, territorial integrity of states and
non-interference. These principles are contained in a number of
resolutions, the most important of them being the Declaration on the
Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 14 December
1960, the Vienna declaration and Programme of Action and other
resolutions. In all these Declarations, Covenants and Resolutions, the
overarching principles of the Charter have been unequivocally recalled.
Therefore, if self-determination was the essential principle to regain
sovereignty, maintaining that sovereignty, territorial integrity and not
interfering in the internal affairs of other states were to be the rules
of conduct in the relations among states. These provisions are clear and
have universal applicability. Yet, these are not being applied in the
letter and spirit in which these were included. Mr.
Chairman, decolonisation created new nation states, many adhering to the
principles of democracy. There was hope that finally the era of slavery
was coming to an end and the pains of a long journey towards regaining
freedoms was going to bear fruit. Freedoms were to be enjoyed in the
sanctity of the state, governance was expected to win the people’s trust
and relations between nations were to be based on mutual respect. As we
come to the close of this century, these hopes have unfortunately been
often belied. In many parts of the world, we find freedom in fetters. We
have governance by stealth or coercion and relations between states still
very unequal. In its most extreme form, power is masked behind apparent
legality of humanitarian concern to subvert sovereignty, territorial
integrity and democratic choice. Democratic pluralistic societies, because
they are open and tolerant, are also the most vulnerable to attempts to
undermine them. In case these are allowed to succeed, every ethnic group,
every sub-religion, every faith, colour, creed, indeed every individual
would become a nation state. That surely is not what the Charter is all
about. Terrorism
is one powerful instrument of malevolence directed at open societies. When
supported by states, its power increases by leaps and bounds. Democratic
choice, the basis of self-determination, becomes the first victim. The
Security Council Resolution of 18 October is therefore a welcome
development. In fact, we hope that the Secretary General’s report will
reflect on the impact of terrorism through violent methods on the
fundamental rights of people. Mr.
Chairman, the increasing use of mercenaries and child soldiers by
non-state actors and terrorist groups has become a source of serious
concern. The report of the Special Rapporteur on the Use of Mercenaries is
thought-provoking and we are in agreement with his recommendations. The
point he makes, that legal measures are needed in the fight against use of
mercenaries, is timely. We hope the Special Rapporteur will study the use
of mercenary activities in other regions, including Asia, where more often
than not mercenary activities are not strictly of a contractual nature but
are tinged with religious fervour and misplaced ideological motivations. Mr.
Chairman, racism is not a recent phenomenon. At its core lies the
fundamental denial of the dignity of human beings and an intolerance of
ideas, faiths, colour and creed. Despite concerted efforts, racist
tendencies continue to exhibit themselves in many classical forms and
through newer and more subtler ways. No man or woman has racist feelings
at birth. Racism is acquired through social attitudes and education has a
crucial role to play in removing racism from the minds of men and women.
More than conventions, protocols, policies and enforcement, changes have
to come from within and in the setting of the family and immediate
environment in the initial years of growth of a child. This is a difficult
process and is bound to take time. Yet, the recognition in the last four
or five decades that these are pernicious behavior patterns and have to be
eliminated is, by itself, a major step forward. Recognizing
that the fundamental equality of dignity of all humans is the goal that we
all must work for and that racism is its negation, we feel that much more
requires to be done to counter this psychological malaise affecting the
world today. In this respect, the work of the Committee on the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination since its establishment in 1970 has been
significant. We welcomed the General Assembly’s decision in 1997 to hold
a World Conference on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance by the year 2001. We have noted the
Secretary-General’s report regarding the preparatory process and we are
pleased with its progress. We are also appreciative of the fact that in
the implementation of the programme of action for the Third Decade to
combat racism and racial discrimination which began in 1993, a racism
project team has been set up in the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights. |