Human rights situation in the OT – CHR – Summary record (excerpts)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Fifty-seventh session

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 9th MEETING

Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva,

on Friday, 23 March 2001, at 10 a.m.

Chairperson : Mr. DESPOUY (Argentina)

CONTENTS

STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF VIET NAM

STATEMENT BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF URUGUAY

RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION ( continued)

The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m.

[…]

RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION (agenda item 6) (continued) (E/CN.4/2001/20, E/CN.4/2001/21 and Corr.1 and E/CN.4/2001/22; E/CN.4/2001/NGO/5, 11, 28, 38, 41, 57, 58, 61, 62, 73, 155, 162 and 164; E/CN.4/Sub.2/2000/11 and Corr.1; A/55/304)

10.  Mr. FAYSAL (Syrian Arab Republic) pointed out that, far from being on the decline, racism was spreading every day. Racism was not only like a virus, but a “ mutant” virus to which technological developments and uncontrolled globalization gave new forms. Today, it was ubiquitous; no continent was spared and Muslims were very often its victims. But unlike what certain fanatics asserted, Islam was a religion based on equality and tolerance.

11.   In Palestine, it was revolting to see those who passed themselves off as victims of racism employ its most despicable forms: by preventing Palestinians from having access to health care, education or even water, the Jewish settlers were engaging in racist behaviour of a particularly despicable kind. The measures taken by States to eradicate racism were clearly insufficient.

[…]

The meeting rose at 1 p.m.