– As delivered –
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
19 March 2021
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
In 1966, the General Assembly recognized our collective shortcomings in our pursuit,
“to re-affirm the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.”
Thus, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was created.
Yet, here we are, 55 years later, and racial discrimination continues to exist.
The past year has been a painful year for many people of African descent around the world.
Violence was filmed.
Voices broke silence.
And the Virus took hold.
The General Assembly noted in resolution 74/270, that
“there is no place for any form of discrimination, racism and xenophobia in the response to the pandemic”.
However, there has been a rise in hate speech and intolerance over the past year. An increase in xenophobic and anti-Asian attacks and hate speech has emerged during this pandemic, with tragic consequences.
Furthermore, reports indicate that people of African descent often have unequal access to medical care, and are vulnerable to higher rates of coronavirus infection and related mortality. In some contexts, people of African Descent are twice as likely to die as a result of COVID-19 than their peers. For those that recover from the effects of the virus, the cost of healthcare and the socio-economic impact of the pandemic threatens to push people of African Descent into poverty.
When healthcare, and other systems, such as justice, housing, and education, fail people of African descent, it perpetuates injustices and inequalities. We simply will not meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 10, or indeed Agenda 2030 as a whole, if we leave people of African Descent behind.
Being subjected to racial discrimination is a deeply personal experience, one which some of us truly cannot relate to. We need to listen to, and learn from, those who are comfortable sharing their experiences. We need to consider the impact of policies on those most vulnerable.
No one should be restricted from living a life of their choosing – for any reason and certainly not because of the colour of their skin.
No one should be restricted from living a life of their choosing – for any reason and certainly not because of the colour of their skin.
Excellencies,
The people we serve are looking to us to uphold the principles of the United Nations. We need to take urgent actions now if we are to course-correct.
It has been two decades since the world acknowledged, through the Durban Declaration and Programme for Action, the ongoing victimization of people of African descent. To this end, I trust that you will support the Permanent Representatives of Portugal and South Africa, who will serve as co-facilitators for the modalities of the high-level meeting on the occasion of the 20th commemoration of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and the political declaration.
I am sure that the timely recommendations of the Presidential Statement of the ECOSOC Special Ministerial Meeting, and the upcoming report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on systemic racism and its recommendations, will guide us on the path forward.
I look forward to meeting with you again in May on the occasion of the mid-term review of the International Decade for people of African Descent. This will provide an opportunity for honest reflection upon past failures, ongoing challenges, and to seek reconciliation. This is essential if we are to create a more just and equal world for all.
Furthermore, the Permanent Representatives of Chad and Costa Rica will, in their capacity as co-facilitators, convene consultations on the modalities, format and substantive procedural aspects of the Permanent Forum on people of African descent. I trust that these consultations will conclude soon to establish a platform to start consultations on the draft UN declaration on the fundamental rights of people of African descent.
Excellencies,
The onus is upon each of us to uphold the fundamental human rights of everyone, everywhere.
It is a shameful sign of society today that this needs to be said, but it does.
Let me say here today, in the General Assembly:
Black. Lives. Matter.
I thank you.
