THAILAND
Statement of
Mr. Pracha Guna-Kasem,
Advisor and Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom
of Thailand,
Head of the Thai Delegation
to the World Conference against 'Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
Durban, Republic of South Africa
31 August - 7 September 2001
Madam President,
The delegation of Thailand wishes to join the previous speakers in expressing
our deep appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for
kindly hosting this very first World Conference of the new millennium. The venue
of this World Conference serves to remind us of the heroic struggle against
Apartheid of the South African people. Until today, that struggle continues
to serve as a guiding light to those fighting against racism and racial discrimination
all over the world.
At this juncture, my delegation would also like to congratulate
Your Excellency, Madam President, on your election, as well as those of the
members of the Bureau who have been entrusted with this very important responsibility
to ensure the success of this World Conference. I am confident that under your
able leadership and wisdom, you will guide this conference to a successful conclusion.
On this note, my delegation also wishes to express our profound appreciation
to Mrs. Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Her tireless efforts, persistence and optimism have proved invaluable throughout
the preparation process in Geneva and here in Durban.
Madam President,
It is undeniable that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance exist, no matter where we are on the globe. Today, the phenomenon
of globalization has certainly contributed to exacerbating the various forms
of racial hatred and intolerance. This World Conference is a defining moment
for us to collectively address this very important issue and try to find ways
and means to do away with it.
To do away with' racism and all its related forms, we cannot
afford to address the problem at its end. We need'to attack its root causes,
be they ideological, economic, social or political. We need to cultivate the
mind that is free of prejudice, bias and hatred. It is our collective responsibility
to leave for our children a world free of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance. In order to achieve this objective, education and public
awareness building are crucial means.
Coupled with education and awareness raising schemes, legal measures must also
be provided. National laws must prohibit all forms of discrimination and must
provide clear provisions for punishment and remedies. In this connection, Thailand
is now in the process of drafting a non-discrimination act to guarantee that
people, regardless of their differences, are treated on an equal basis, with
due respect, and can enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms, as provided
for in our Constitution. Furthermore, Thailand will soon join the 158 State
Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Madam President,
Our society respects differences and values diversity greatly. His Majesty the
King of Thailand is the patron of all religions practiced in our country. As
an example, children of Islamic faith enjoy the full right to attend Islamic
schools. More importantly, our Ministry of Education is introducing the concept
of getting local community involved in designing school curricula. Such participatory
method will significantly enrich the quality of national education and will
enable the country as a whole to benefit from local wisdom. Through this kind
of educational scheme, we believe, diversity will be cherished and understanding
will be reached.
Madam President,
This World Conference is preparing two important documents : the Declaration
and the Programme of Action. The first document, the Declaration, we hope, will
become the Magna Carta against all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and related intolerance. The second document, the Programme of Action, we hope,
will be the blueprint for the construction of a new world free of the evils
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. These
are vital documents that may truly make the world a safer place for the humankind.
Let us, therefore, not endulge ourselves in this Conference with petty fightings,
but let us be, in the words of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "generous
of the spirit."
One of the issues facing us here in Durban and during the preparation process
is what constitutes grounds for discrimination and who falls under the categories
of the victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
We have debated to a great extent whether to base them upon the Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights or to include others. My delegation feels that deep in our heart,
we all know who the victims of discrimination are; we can all feel and witness
the suffering of those discriminated against. The victims certainly cannot be
denied, for how can we deny truth.
Madam President,
Just as human rights are indivisible, so is human suffering. In the Middle East
now, both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples are suffering. We at this Conference
should not exacerbate their plight, but should do what we can to alleviate and
to put an end to it. The paramount question in our mind should be whether what
we say and do here will lead to an end of human suffering of both peoples. We
strongly believe that all peoples are entitled to lead their daily lives without
fear. All parties concerned, therefore, need to resume negotiations as soon
as possible in order to avoid the recurrence of violence and the loss of innocent
lives.
On the issue of past injustices, though Thailand has never suffered from colonialism
and slavery, we fully empathize with the victims of such injustices. We, therefore,
feel that it can never be possible to fully repair the wounds and the pain sufferred
by the victims. In this connection, we would like to urge that the consequences
of past injustices should be addressed by assisting victims of those injustices
in coping with their development challenges in the spirit of international solidarity
and partnership. In this regard, Africa truly deserves recognition and priority
attention.
Madam President,
It is incumbent upon us to deliver to our people a clear direction towards the
future. With the spirit of cooperation, I am confident that we shall not fail
our people and our children. My delegation will participate in this World Conference
with the spirit of cooperation and utmost flexibility. We do not view this World
Conference as a one-time event that needs to achieve immediate results. We regard
the Conference as a part of the process that will continuously enlighten us
and advance us closer to the world with less hatred, bias, and prejudice, the
world where diversity is cherished, and the world where our children will not
have to struggle simply because of differences in their races, their beliefs
or the colours of their skin.
My Government is determined to implement the measures and strategies that will
emerge from the World Conference. But eliminating racism and all its related
forms cannot be limited to the role of the State, NGOs and the civil society
must also play their parts. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the strong
and active role of the NGOs community in the process of the World Conference.
We also feel encouraged by the active participation of the Thai NGOs. We do
value our dialogue and constructive partnership during the preparation process
for the World Conference and we look forward to working closely with the NGOs
community in following up the outcome of the World Conference.
Thank you, Madam President.