UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 52nd session 31 July-18 August 2000

31 July 2001

Madam Chair,

Minority Rights Group (MRG) is concerned about the possibility that the World Conference Against Racism, due to be held in 2001, may be dominated by States’ foreign policy agendas. We are concerned that ‘the Peoples’ of the United Nations may not find a voice which reflects the diversity and pluralism of the modern world

Discrimination is prohibited by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in all its forms, including those more specifically affecting minorities and indigenous peoples.

Article 1 of ICERD records:

’In this Convention, the term “racial discrimination” shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.

Another important United Nations standard reiterates the rights of minorities to participate fully in the life of their communities, including the international community. Article 2.2 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic Religious and Linguistic Minorities recalls:

‘Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life’.

It is our view, and the view of many indigenous and minority groups with whom we work in close partnership, that the participation of minorities and indigenous communities in the meetings connected with the World Conference Against Racism and in its follow-up programme of action is essential.

MRG will seek to involve many indigenous and minority communities in the WCR process. We will strive to help shift the balance a little away from the wealthy and vociferous Northern organizations and States so that the voice of minority and indigenous communities from all parts of the world may be heard.

MRG, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will strive to promote deeper understanding and dialogue between minorities, indigenous communities and governments on the full and effective implementation of the ICERD in each Member State of the United Nations.

Additionally, MRG and its partners will be promoting appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the economic progress and development in their country.

Madam Chair,

We look forward to engaging the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in these initiatives.

MRG will encourage the Sub-Commission to look creatively at how it can help take forward new ideas emerging from minority and indigenous communities.

Last weekend ( Saturday 5 August ) MRG convened a roundtable discussion, in co-operation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, on ways of promoting the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). A majority of the members of CERD were present alongside some Sub-Commission members.

One of the most important issues raised at that meeting was the need to enhance awareness of ICERD, and the work of CERD, and actively promote the implementation of the Convention at the national and local levels.

One of the proposals put forward in this direction was that research be undertaken by members of the Sub Commission. Such research could inform seminars and thematic discussions, which could be held jointly with CERD. In particular, MRG would recommend thematic work on caste issues.

It was also recognized that the link between poverty and racism and between participatory development and the enjoyment of a positive multicultural environment also required research and cooperation between the Sub Commission and CERD.

MRG will disseminate the report of this meeting to all interested members of the Sub-Commission and would invite the Sub-Commission to look closely at how it could work more closely with CERD in the run up to the World Conference Against Racism.

Furthermore, MRG recommends that the World Conference Against Racism is given significant time for discussion by the Sub-Commission at its next two sessions.