UNITED NATIONS, Mar 18 (APP):Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life across all societies, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday at a dedicated meeting against what he referred to as a catalyst that \u201cnormalizes hate, denies dignity, and spurs violence\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt continues to be a driver of persistent inequality\u2026to deny people their fundamental human rights\u201d, he said in an address to the General Assembly, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.<\/p>\n
He argued that racism destabilizes communities worldwide, \u201cundermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and stymies an inclusive and sustainable recovery from COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commemorated annually on March 21, he described the day as \u201cboth a day of recognition and an urgent call to action\u201d.<\/p>\n
The top UN official drew attention to the links between racism and gender inequality, pointing to overlapping and intersecting discrimination suffered by women of colour and minority groups.<\/p>\n
Moreover, he continued, \u201cno country is immune from intolerance, nor free of hate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfricans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, minority communities, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, and so many others \u2013 all continue to confront stigmatization, scapegoating, discrimination, and violence\u201d.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme \u2013 \u201cVoices for Action against Racism\u201d \u2013 calls on everyone to listen closely, speak out loudly, and act decisively.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all have a responsibility to engage in solidarity with movements for equality and human rights everywhere. And we must extend solidarity to everyone fleeing conflict,\u201d said the UN chief, urging the world to \u201cspeak out against hate speech \u2013 offline and online.\u201d<\/p>\n
He upheld the need to defend civic space by protecting free expression and assembly, describing it is \u201cthe bedrock of pluralist, peaceful and inclusive societies\u201d.<\/p>\n
Guterres called for a rights-based social contract \u201cto tackle poverty and exclusion, invest in education, and rebuild trust and social cohesion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must listen to those experiencing injustice and ensure their concerns and demands are at the centre of efforts to dismantle discriminatory structures,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n
He made a case for \u201creparatory justice\u201d to realize racial equality and atone in a substantive way for centuries of enslavement and colonialism.
\n\u201cHistorical injustices manifest themselves in poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, and social instability for entire communities and countries,\u201d he reminded. \u201cIt is time to recognize and repair longstanding wrongs\u201d.<\/p>\n
A just future, requires mending a discriminatory past, in line with international human rights obligations and commitments, he said.<\/p>\n
The UN chief encouraged States to accelerate racial justice and equality through the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Agenda Towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality; and the UN\u2019s Permanent Forum of People of African Descent.<\/p>\n
He called for concrete action through policies, legislation, and \u201cmore granular data collection\u201d to support efforts at national and global levels.<\/p>\n
The UN has launched its own internal strategic action plan on addressing racism, he reminded, that outlines concrete measures to tackle racism in the workplace through accountability \u2013 for which a Special Adviser and Steering Group are due to be appointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we are committed to making sure people of every race, ethnicity, colour, gender, religion, creed and sexual orientation, enjoy a sense of belonging and safety, and have an equal opportunity to contribute to the success of our United Nations,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Action every day, at every level, in every society is demanded to achieve a world free of racism and racial discrimination.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us unite around our common humanity and speak as one for equality, respect, justice and dignity for all,\u201d concluded the UN chief.<\/p>\n
Hosting the event, General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid, began by expressing his \u201cdeepest concerns\u201d over the violence waged against civilians, and particularly women and girls, in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
As families continue to seek refuge and security in new locations, he said, \u201cour thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the day was established more than half a century ago, the elimination of racial discrimination has continued to elude us, Shahid reminded the participants.<\/p>\n
Despite that the International Convention has reached near universal ratification, he observed, \u201cwe continue to see an increase in hate speech, intolerance, and racism, especially against minorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur moral failure to eliminate racial discrimination is a failure against everything we stand for in the Hall of this Assembly\u201d, he declared.<\/p>\n
The Assembly President drew attention to the long-lasting consequences of racial discrimination, noting that the COVID pandemic has served to exacerbate underlying and long-standing inequalities that plague societies at large, including racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance.<\/p>\n
Many marginalized and vulnerable people have lost decades of precious gains, especially in their social, economic, civil, and political lives, he said.<\/p>\n
We have a moral obligation to tackle racism in all its forms — UN Assembly President.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me be clear: Racial discrimination is an overt stereotyping and prejudice that arises from hate speech and hate propaganda,\u201d Shahid said.<\/p>\n
Rather than acknowledging the beauty of diversity, he maintained that racism gives birth to violence and strengthens inequalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can and we must do better,\u201d said the Assembly president. \u201cWe have a moral obligation to tackle racism in all its forms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Going forward, he encouraged national governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to \u201cwork together to eliminate racial discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 18 (APP):Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life across all societies, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday at a dedicated meeting against what he referred to as a catalyst that \u201cnormalizes hate, denies dignity, and spurs violence\u201d. \u201cIt continues […]<\/p>\n
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