On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 March 2001
The International Day for
the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the entire week of Solidarity with
the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination, remind us of
the need for communities and nations to work towards racial equality and tolerance.
Racial discrimination is not only based on race or ethnic group. It also finds
its expression in a variety of acts of intolerance and discrimination because
of people's culture, nationality, religion or language. Racism frequently hits
hardest the most vulnerable people: those who have little means to protect themselves,
such as refugees, internally displaced people, women and children. In its extreme
form, discrimination can involve ethnic cleansing and the imposition of racial
superiority. But it may also be expressed as exclusion from the every day activities
and tasks of society, at schools, at work places, congregations, and kindergartens.
Often it does not leave visible marks of physical violence, but the psychological
marks may be life-long and painful.
Children and youth are our future. I am particularly happy to note that the
United Nations is reaching out to young adults on this day, to encourage them
to take a stand against discrimination of any kind in their communities, be
it based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or physical
or mental ability.
We are currently observing the International Year of Mobilization against Racism
and Racial Discrimination. What does it mean to mobilize against racism and
racial discrimination? We have an ample supply of international agreements and
conventions. They need to be implemented fully. But I also believe that getting
to know the differences across boundaries of any kind is helpful - knowledge
and information on the diversity of cultures, and diversity of human races,
ethnicity and customs, contribute to overcoming racism. I strongly believe that
knowledge is a conduit for a better understanding, tolerance and acceptance.
I also believe that modern technologies of communication may serve this goal
well - and that they should be protected against serving the spread of hate
and racist ideologies.
In spite of all efforts to overcome racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and intolerance, we all know, that we are far from the goal of eradicating these
evils. We need to multiply our efforts towards equality among people. The World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
to be held later this year, will be another landmark in this struggle.