Prerecorded Statement by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
22 February 2021
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
I thank Madame President for your invitation to this event to discuss mainstreaming human rights, and how to end racism and discrimination.
Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations came into being because each signatory to the Charter was guaranteed equality: equal respect, equal speaking rights, and equal voting rights. Since then, more than 80 former colonies have joined the United Nations, and regardless of the genesis of their statehood, representatives sit alongside each other, as nations, united.
The clear mandate set forth by the Charter regarding the principal of non-discrimination between nations, was applied to the people of the world by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
If you will permit me, Excellencies, I also like to think of this as the spirit of ‘sisterhood’. It is this spirit that is at the core of our discussion today.
If we are to address longstanding forms of discrimination, we must listen to, and learn from, each other’s lived experiences and recognize that privilege has arisen as a result of past injustices which have created current inequalities. Acknowledging past actions is the first step in adopting concrete measures towards reparatory justice. If we are to create more equal, just and peaceful societies – we have no other choice.
Excellencies,
We know that discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance persist. No nation is free from discrimination. The widening chasm within and between nations is being exacerbated by armed conflict and climate change. Those who are furthest behind are at risk of being left behind.
Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the pre-existing vulnerabilities facing the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups. The reality is that COVID-19 may not discriminate, but its impact has been far from even. Even within wealthier countries, ethnic, religious, and racial minorities have poorer outcomes than the rest of society. In marginalized communities, women and girls fare even worse than their male counterparts. That is why today I call upon you to support the equal and fair distribution of vaccines for all within countries and between them.
Despite a landmark political declaration in 2019, Universal Health Coverage has not yet been achieved, and 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty as a result of healthcare costs. Deep structural inequalities often obstruct the full enjoyment of all human rights across social, economic, civic and political spheres.
The onus is upon each of us to remove barriers, take proactive measures to prevent discrimination, collect data, and monitor the quality of, and access to, services if we are to end discrimination in healthcare.
Excellencies,
The 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and its Program of Action is a moment of reckoning. We must be honest when discussing where we have fallen short of the commitments made in 2001. Although many Member States have improved legal regimes that protect rights and provide avenues for effective remedy and redress, there is often a lack of political will to enforce and implement these laws. Discrimination is unfortunately still entrenched in society.
If we are to address longstanding forms of discrimination, we must listen to, and learn from, each other’s lived experiences and recognize that privilege has arisen as a result of past injustices which have created current inequalities. Acknowledging past actions is the first step in adopting concrete measures towards reparatory justice. If we are to create more equal, just and peaceful societies – we have no other choice.
In this Decade of Action we must recognise that we cannot achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda whilst racism and discrimination persists. Instability, economic disparities and social exclusion are fuelled by discrimination and xenophobia.
Let me be clear: there is no place for discrimination at the United Nations.
In the General Assembly, I will convene a debate on the Mid-Term Review of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
I will also seek to finalise an agreement on the modalities and format of the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in order to facilitate its first session this year..
I call on all Member States to lend your will and resources to the collective efforts of the United Nations.
Furthermore, I ask everyone here to take time to reflect upon today’s discussion. We each have a responsibility to reflect upon our own actions, check our own privilege, and work together to uphold the rights of everyone, everywhere. We can all do better.
I thank you.
