PHILIPPINES
WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM,
RACIAL
DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA
AND RELATED INTOLERANCE
Durban, South Africa
Statement of
Ambassador Samuel T. Ramel
Permanent
Representative to the UN at Geneva
And
Head of the Philippine
Delegation
Madame President,
Allow me first of all to extend my delegation's best wishes
to you on your assumption of the Presidency as well as to the vice-presidents
and the rapporteur on their election. I would also like to take this opportunity
to express my delegation's appreciation to South Africa for its warm hospitality
and for the excellent arrangements for this historic conference.
Madame
President,
More than fifty years after the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the world is still confronted by the scourge of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The plague we sought to
stump out decades ago has shown not only remarkable resilience and virulence but
also the ability to take new forms and find new carriers for transmitting the
infection to innocent minds.
It is sad to note that the technological and information
revolutions that offer promises of a better life for all also provide the means
for propagating the dreadful disease of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. Hundreds of sites in the Internet are
promoting racial hatred and intolerance. If we really care, then we should dare
to confront this menace squarely and pay particular attention to the need for a
code of conduct that would make the Internet unfriendly to those who seek to
corrupt minds and undermine cherished human values. In addressing this problem,
we
have to take into account the concerns expressed with respect to the
freedoms of speech, expression and belief. Nevertheless, it would be useful to
keep in mind Article 20 (2) of the International Convention on Civil and
Political Rights which states: "Any advocacy of national, racial or religious
hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence
shall be prohibited by law."
Madame President,
The seeds of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance will not take root where there is no fertile ground or
receptive minds. We therefore need to stress the importance of education in
programmes for the eradication of all forms of racism and related intolerance.
We need to teach our children not only that they have rights and freedoms but
also that their rights and freedoms can only flourish in a world where everybody
respects the rights and freedoms of others. Our children must learn to
appreciate the richness and diversity of the world's cultures and peoples. We
also need to imprint in their minds the importance of tolerance, acceptance and
respect for all human beings, the virtues of peace and non-violence, and the
need for compassion for those who are less privileged in life. It is with this
in mind that we fully endorsed the United Nations Declaration and Programme of
Action on a Culture of Peace as well as the objectives of the International
Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World
(2001-2010).
Madame President,
Globalization has placed various groups under severe threat from
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Among them
are migrant workers, indigenous groups and women and children.
With respect to migrant workers, it is widely acknowledged that they bring various benefits to both their countries of origin and countries of destination. Indeed, migrant workers have contributed to the wealth of many of today's developed countries.
They do not deserve the racist and xenophobic discriminations, indignities and assaults that many of them are victims of. We therefore stress the need for a fair, just and equitable treatment to them in the society and the place of work where they find themselves in.
To enhance international protection of the rights of migrant
workers, particularly women migrant workers who are most vulnerable to
discrimination and indignities, we invite other countries to consider signing
and ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of
All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. We also urge all countries to
fully respect and comply with the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,
particularly where it relates to the right of foreign nationals, regardless of
immigration status, to communicate with a consular officer of their own State in
the event of arrest or detention.
Madame President,
In many parts of the world, indigenous populations are
historic victims of racism and racial discrimination. As a result, their way of
life and very existence are under serious threat. We wish to note that we are
within the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People and, therefore,
extra efforts should be taken to correct the historic wrong done to them through
international and national recognition of their rights and special needs within
constitutional framework of states. In the case of the Philippines, our
constitution and laws recognize indigenous peoples' rights to their ancestral
lands and domains, including natural resources found therein. We also recognize
their right to self governance, including the right to use their justice
systems, conflict resolution institutions, peace-building processes, and other
customary laws and practices as may be compatible with the national legal system
and internationally recognized human rights.
We welcome the creation of
the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues within the United Nations system in
accordance with the vision contained in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action. It is our hope that this forum will serve as an instrument for the close
examination of issues and problems that would lead to the formulation of
concrete programmes to protect the rights and promote the welfare of indigenous
peoples worldwide.
Madame President,
The world community must also
give special attention to the problems and needs of women and children,
particularly those who are victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. Women
and children, whether migrant, indigenous refugee or victim of trafficking are
the most vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination. They are the ones to
suffer most from acts and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. Special programmes for women and children
need to be developed within the programmes for each vulnerable
group.
With respect to trafficking in women and girls, we are
pleased to note that the resolution in the Commission on Human Rights enjoys the
widest support with no less than 85 co-sponsors from all regions of the world. A
key provision of the resolution calls upon governments to criminalize
trafficking in women and children in all its forms and to condemn and penalize
traffickers and intermediaries, while ensuring protection and assistance to the
victims of trafficking with full respect for their human rights. It is our hope
that a similar provision will be adopted in the Programme of Action of this
conference.
Madame President,
There are many minority groups that
are vulnerable to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance. While I can only highlight a few within my limited time, I wish to
stress that all groups, all victims, are equally important and their problems
must be addressed if we are serious in fighting racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance. We believe that victims are the living
reminder that the scourge is still upon us. They provide the human faces to the
pain and suffering that racial discrimination and related intolerance inflict.
It is only when we are ready to look at the faces of the victims that we can
really say that we are ready to fight racism and racial discrimination and
banish them from the face of the earth.
Thank you, Madame
President