GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST INTOLERANCE REMAINS MAJOR CHALLENGE OF PRESENT ERA, ASSEMBLY'S THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

6 November 1997

Press Release
GA/SHC/3437

GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST INTOLERANCE REMAINS MAJOR CHALLENGE OF PRESENT ERA, ASSEMBLY'S THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

19971106 As Wide-Ranging Debate Begins, Speakers Highlight Current Problems, Including Use of Internet for Racist Propaganda

Speakers called for the international community to fight against the false doctrines of racial superiority as well as xenophobic tendencies, as the General Assembly's Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to begin its consideration of the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the rights of peoples to self-determination.

The representative of Angola, speaking for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said the fundamental goal of eliminating racism remained one of the biggest challenges facing the present generation. On the issue of minorities, he said the SADC subregion had a peculiar situation, because of the history of colonialism in those countries, whereby minorities were the propertied group and controlled the economy to the exclusion of the majority. Efforts were being made to correct the imbalance.

The representative of Israel said the Third Committee should be alerted to the re-emergence of anti-semitism. Despite some decline in violence against Jews, she said two developments seemed to threaten that trend -- the "Swiss gold affair" and the electoral success of European ultra right-wing parties.

The United States was described by the representative of Cuba as an example of a society filled with the scourges of racism. He said white men made up 30 per cent of the population, and yet they constituted nearly 90 per cent of members of the Senate. By contrast, men in racial minorities were 20 per cent of the population but represented 59 per cent of those subject to capital punishment. He said that in most economically advantaged countries, racist mercenaries and neo-nazi groups were active with virtually no restrictions on their activities.

The representative of the United States said the battle against racism in his country was a proof of commitment, not a sign of failure. Changes came much more slowly than anyone wished, but positive change concerning race in

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American society was the norm, and "news" of discrimination focused on the exceptional event, not what was normal. Progress could be seen in the large African-American middle class, and in the increase in interracial marriages.

Addressing the issue of the right of peoples to self-determination, the representative of Ukraine said it was an inalienable right of all nations. However, the principle of self-determination did not automatically imply the right to territorial secession. It was necessary to draw a dividing line between the right to secession and territorial separatism.

Expressing his Government's support for peoples who still suffered from colonialism and other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, the representative of Brazil said the right to self-determination should not include action which would impair the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign States whose governments represented the whole population without distinction of any kind. A political system that fully respected democratic principles and protected the rights of minorities, was the best shield against the dangers of separatism.

Statements were also made by Luxembourg (on behalf of the European Union and other States), Egypt, Ecuador, Guyana on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Liechtenstein, China, Ukraine and South Africa. A representative of the League of Arab States also made a statement.

Reports were introduced by the Special Rapporteurs on the Use of Mercenaries to Undermine the Rights of People to Self-Determination, and on Measures to Combat Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance introduced their reports. The latter emphasized the need to adopt measures at the international level to combat the phenomenon of using the Internet to spread racist propaganda.

The Director for the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights introduced other reports.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) will meet this afternoon to hear the introduction of draft texts and take action on others. It will also continue its consideration of the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the rights of peoples to self- determination.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to begin its consideration of issues related to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

On the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, the Committee had before it the relevant sections of the Economic and Social Council report and the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It also had before it two reports of the Secretary-General on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. Also before the Committee is a note by the Secretary-General transmitting the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on measures to combat temporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances.

On the right of peoples to self-determination, the Committee had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and a note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries to undermine the right of peoples to self-determination.

Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination

In the letter transmitting the report of the 18-member Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/52/18), the Chairman of the Committee, Michael Banton, states that the Committee was, in 1994, among the first bodies within the United Nations system to express concern about the dangerous situation that was developing within the Great Lakes region of Africa. It would have been better had preventive action been taken before open hostilities broke out. Since then, atrocious human rights abuses within the region have multiplied. Improved methods for preventing such disasters must be identified.

The letter also states that the Committee's priorities remain: the examination of reports by States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; prevention of racial discrimination, including early warning and urgent procedures; action on communications under article 14 of the Convention; and the implementation of the Convention in States whose reports are seriously overdue.

This year, the letter notes, the Committee (which held two regular sessions -- in March and August), had adopted an important General Recommendation to States parties about reporting on the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, who -- it is stated -- are often unable to attract attention to abuses of their human rights and deserve the assistance of the international community.

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On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman requests the Secretary-General and the States parties to the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to make it possible for the Committee to meet occasionally in New York to have more access to more diplomatic representatives stationed there. This would facilitate the consideration of reports from States whose initial reports are overdue by five years or more. The Committee also asks the Secretary-General to see if there were other ways he can assist these States to fulfil their reporting obligations.

Finally, the Chairman notes that the Committee has no backlog of unconsidered State reports. It continues to advise States parties of their legal obligations to prevent discrimination on grounds of race and ethnic or national origin and adapts its working methods to the changing situation within the United Nations and in the wider world.

The Committee's report states that as at 22 August 1997, there were 148 States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which entered into force in January 1969.

During its session in March, the Committee adopted a working paper to guide it in its future work concerning possible measures to prevent, as well as more effectively respond to, violations of the Convention. The Committee noted in its working paper that efforts to prevent serious violations of the Convention would include early-warning measures aimed at addressing existing problems so as to prevent them from escalating into conflicts, as well as confidence-building measures to identify and support structures to strengthen racial tolerance and solidify peace in order to prevent a relapse into conflict in situations where it has occurred.

In March, the Committee reviewed the situation in Burundi, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda, and conducted a dialogue with representatives of the States parties concerned but took no formal action. At its fifty-first session, in August, the Committee reviewed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and Papua New Guinea and adopted four decisions.

By a decision on Israel, the Committee expressed its serious concern that the continuing policies of expansion of settlements, and notably the establishment of an Israeli settlement on Jabal Abu Ghenaim in East Jerusalem, all of which changed the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied territories, including Jerusalem, gave rise to increasing tensions in the region, and jeopardized the peace process.

The Committee also emphasized the need for all appropriate measures be taken against extremist and terrorist organizations that promote racial hatred, incite to violence and commit terrorist acts. The Committee rejected measures amounting to collective punishment imposed by the Israeli authorities

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in the wake of the dreadful suicide bombings in Jerusalem on 30 July 1997. Such measures had a devastating effect on the life and well-being of the Arab population, and were a serious obstacle to the peace process.

In its decision on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Committee said Bosnia and Herzegovina remained a deeply divided country with patterns of discrimination and separation based on national or ethnic origin, contrary to the basic principles of the Convention. The Committee was concerned about obstacles to people wishing to return to their homes and property laws remaining in effect in the two principal entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina which were contrary to the Peace Agreement. The Committee was disturbed at the lack of progress in apprehending persons indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal.

By the terms of its decision on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Committee said it was alarmed about the reported disappearance of large numbers of refugees in the eastern part of the country and ongoing human rights violations in contravention of the Convention. The Committee hoped that the Secretary-General's new investigative team may be able to act effectively, with cooperation from the Government.

In its decision on Papua New Guinea, the Committee said that, despite repeated Committee requests, that country had not submitted information on the issue of Bougainville. The Committee condemned the killing of the leader of the Bougainville Transitional Government, Theodore Miriung, on 12 October 1996 by unidentified assailants, which resulted in a serious setback for efforts to find a solution of the Bougainville problem.

The Committee reviews its consideration of reports from the following States: the United kingdom, Afghanistan, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Belarus, Luxembourg, Jordan, Nepal, Germany, Pakistan, Belgium, Cameroon, Iceland, Iraq, Bulgaria, Mexico, Panama, Swaziland, Rwanda, Seychelles, Mongolia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Philippines, Denmark, Poland, Guyana, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Argentina, Burundi, Norway and Burkina Faso.

On the United Kingdom's report, the Committee welcomes efforts to increase the role of ethnic minorities in public office. It expresses concern at the continuing failure to incorporate questions relating to the racial or ethnic origin of persons in population census questionnaires in Northern Ireland, and also at remaining instances of racial discrimination in the field of employment, as well as the exercise of stop-and-search and some occurrences of ill-treatment by the police, and some occurrences of ill-treatment by the police.

For some countries, the Committee expresses concern with racist and xenophobic acts, and the fact that racist organizations are not prohibited by law, as in the case of Luxembourg and Belgium. In the case of Denmark,

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concern is expressed over reports of discriminatory practices affecting residents of non-Danish ethnic or national origin, especially in respect of employment, housing and bank loans.

In the case of Germany, the Committee is concerned at manifestations of xenophobia and racial discrimination, including "acts of anti-Semitism and hostility against certain ethnic groups, and racial violence that still occur on a substantial scale in Germany". Concern is also expressed at instances of police brutality against foreigners, particularly Africans and Turks, which have been reported in the press. The report calls for better police training, and stricter disciplinary action against perpetrators.

In Bulgaria, the Committee notes, the economic crisis has affected people from ethnic minorities disproportionately, and in this respect, there is persistent marginalization of the large Roma population, despite continuing efforts by the Government.

In Iraq, the Committee states, the human rights situation is a matter of grave concern. The report recognizes that the economic and social hardships following the international embargo since the Gulf war and the continuing situation in the northern areas of the country, precluding Iraq from exercising its jurisdiction, makes the full implementation of the Convention more difficult. Although the withholding of basic supplies of food and medicine in itself constitutes a grave violation of human rights, the Committee believes that the situation does not absolve the Government of Iraq from its responsibility to implement the Convention. Concern is expressed about the situation of the inhabitants of the southern marshes.

In the case of Algeria, the Committee says the climate of violence which has been in existence in that country since 1989, and which severely affects the civilian population, is a serious obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention.

In response to States parties such as Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines and Argentina, the Committee expresses concern about discriminatory practices directed against indigenous populations and the related social inequalities and poverty, as well as unresolved issues related to their land rights.

The Committee invited States parties like Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda, and Cameroon which had not submitted a report for some years, to do so in time for the Committee's next session.

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Reports of Secretary-General

The Secretary-General's report on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/52/463) states that Assembly resolution 47/111 in 1992, amended Article 8 of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. That amendment requested the Secretary-General to take appropriate measures to finance the Committee from the United Nations regular budget, beginning with the 1994-1995 budget, and to take the necessary measures to ensure that the Committee meets as scheduled until the amendment enters into force. A subsequent resolution urged States parties to accelerate their domestic ratification procedures with regard to the amendment to the Convention regarding the financing of the Committee and requested the Secretary-General to continue to ensure adequate financial arrangements and appropriate means to enable the functioning of the Committee.

The report states that in 1997 the Committee's two regular sessions had been financed, in accordance with resolution 47/111, from the regular budget. Consequently, no State party assessments were made in 1997. However, a number of States parties are still in arrears from the non-payment of previous assessments. As of 30 September 1997, the total outstanding arrears amounted to $224,499. Annexed to the report is the amendment to the Convention and the Status of Contributions to the Committee as at September 1997.

A report by the Secretary-General on implementing the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (document A/52/528) describes activities related to the world conference on racism planned for no later than the year 2001. It notes plans for a United Nations seminar in Geneva from 10 to 14 November on the role of the Internet in provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The seminar will address such topics as racism on the Internet, technical aspects of screening racist propaganda at the national and international levels, juridical aspects of prohibiting racial propaganda on the Internet, elements for an eventual code of conduct and recommendations.

The report states that contributions to the Trust Fund for the Programme of Action continue to be below expected levels, with annual contributions remaining under $100,000, and as a result, few activities planned since 1994 were being carried out.

By a note, the Secretary-General transmits a report on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/52/471) prepared by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights. The report is based on communications from some Member States and non-governmental human rights organizations, complemented by reliable international press sources to make up for the lack of information resulting from the failure of the majority of Member States to cooperate.

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The report indicates two new missions to be undertaken, one to Australia, in response to allegations of racism regarding Aborigines and Australians of Asian origin, and another to South Africa in response to inter- ethnic conflicts as a legacy of apartheid. The report says the most significant new events with regard to contemporary forms of racism concerned discrimination against immigrants and migrant workers; human rights violations in holding areas in France; the role of the media, particularly the Internet, inciting racial hatred and violence; discrimination against gypsies and travellers; and discrimination in applying the death penalty in the United States.

A major issue regarding racism, the report adds, is the flow of populations from underdeveloped areas into peaceful, developed areas, resulting in restrictive, discriminatory policies by industrialized countries of the North against foreign workers from the South. The Internet is documented as a vehicle for racist propaganda. Reports on steps to improve specific situations within their own countries, received from Germany, the United States, France, Brazil and Austria, are summarized in the report.

Overall, the report states that an alarming increase in manifestations of intolerance noted last year had improved very little at the global level. The use of new communication technologies, particularly the Internet, were leading to new forms of racism and racial discrimination. Regardless of legislative or judicial measures, the situation continues to be a concern and needed a more proactive approach at both national and international levels.

The report recommends the immediate convening of a world conference on racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and the start of studies, research and consultations leading to international action on the use of the Internet as a vehicle for racist and xenophobic propaganda.

Letters

A letter dated 14 April from the Permanent Representative of Georgia (document A/52/116-S/19997/317) transmits a copy of a report on the policy of ethnic cleansing/genocide conducted in the territory of Abkhazia, Georgia, and the need to bring to justice those responsible.

In a letter dated 10 June, the Charge d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations (document A/52/187), requests the Secretary-General to correct the record of the fifty-third session of the Committee on Human Rights specifically with regard to the "the Palestinian Observer's libel" during the session, in which it was claimed that Israel had injected 300 Palestinian children with the HIV/AIDS virus. If uncorrected, the letter states, the allegations may take on an assumed validity of their own, with the imprimatur of the United Nations.

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A note verbale dated 17 July (document A/52/254) transmits a letter from the Foreign Minister of Albania in which he condemns the "unprecedented act of brutality against Albanians in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" in July this year. The letter says the excessive use of force was aimed to suppress any peaceful and democratic attempts at equality and justice for the Albanian population. It calls on the Secretary-General to request a report from the Commander of United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) "on the recent brutal events in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". In response, a letter dated 25 August, from the Permanent Representative of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (document A/52/301) expresses "unpleasant surprise and deep disappointment at the array of disinformation" contained in the Albanian letter. He says there was political manipulation of certain political groups of the Albanian minority. Three deaths and injuries to dozens of people resulted from a clash between police forces and demonstrators. The letter states further that "the Government of the Republic of Macedonia shall persist in its policy of full respect .... the rights of minorities and their cultural and ethnic identity."

A letter from the Permanent Representative of Colombia (document A/52/447-S/1997/775) encloses the Communique of the Meeting of Minsters for Foreign Affairs and heads of delegations of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, held on 25 September.

Rights of Peoples to Self-determination

The Secretary-General's report on the rights of people to self- determination (document A/52/485) responds to the Assembly's resolution 51/84 which asked the Commission on Human Rights to continue to give special attention to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self- determination resulting from foreign military intervention, aggression and occupation. The items were considered by the fifty-third session of the Commission on Human Rights which adopted three resolutions on the situation in occupied Palestine, the question of Western Sahara, and the Middle East peace process.

A note by the Secretary-General transmits a report on use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the right to self-determination (document A/52/495) prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the question of use of mercenaries. The report describes mercenary activity as a form of violence condemned by the United Nations because its use hampers the right to self-determination and violates human rights. Mercenaries offer their services to parties in armed conflict in exchange for payment and contribute to causing damage to people and territories.

Recently, the report states, the nature of mercenary activity has been expanding to include criminal acts involving terrorism and trafficking in drugs and weapons. Companies sell advisory, training and security services in

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return for money and natural resource concessions. The newest trend, the report adds, seems to be for such companies to provide services to governments, going beyond terms of their contracts, and becoming involved in internal affairs. Such was suspected to have happened in Sierra Leone and Papua New Guinea. The profitability of these mercenaries is compounded by lack of legislation at either the national or international level.

The report states that after seven years the International Convention against the Recruitment, Financing and Training of Mercenaries has been signed by only 11 States. The lack of a united front against the practice was weakened by legal gaps and inadequacies, concealing mercenary activities and endorsing mercenary employment.

Recommendations to the General Assembly contained in the report include: suggesting to all States that they incorporate practical measures in national legislation to prohibit use of mercenaries; appealing to States to ratify the Convention; monitoring activities of the newly emerging mercenary companies; and a closer investigation by the Special Rapporteur of the activities listed in the report with a view to making proposals for better legal classifications of global advisory companies and their activities.

A letter from the representative of the Republic of Korea conveys, as an annex, the report on the 1997 Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting held in Seoul (document A/52/139). The letter states that the meeting adopted resolutions on cooperation for world and regional security and stability; safeguarding the status of Jerusalem; and international action to meet the emergency situations in Albania and the former Zaire. The report of the Committee for Sustainable Development is also annexed.

A letter from the representative of Pakistan transmits the text of a memorandum on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute (document A/52/286). The memorandum asks the international community to send a loud and clear message to India condemning its human rights violations against the people of Kashmir. It urges the Secretary-General to actively encourage, facilitate and support efforts leading to a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue and to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of the oppressed Kashmiri people. A letter dated 23 September (document A/52/413) from the Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands, in his capacity as Chairman of the South Pacific Forum members of the United Nations, transmits the Communique of the twenty-eighth South Pacific Forum held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 17-19 September.

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Statements

ENRIQUE BERNALES-BALLESTEROS, Special Rapporteur on the Use of Mercenaries to Undermine the Rights of People to Self-Determination, introduced the report on mercenaries being used as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self- determination. He said mercenary activities were actually being undertaken more boldly. The presence of mercenaries had been noted in numerous internal armed conflicts. Mercenaries were camouflaging themselves as private businesses, such as management and services, interfering with the rights of peoples to self-determination.

Africa was the continent that had been hardest hit by the phenomenon, he said, citing, the conflict in the former Zaire where the Mobutu regime had hired mercenaries to defend itself during the recent conflict in that country. The mercenaries had operated from Kisagani.

He said the recent attacks on hotels in Havana had been undertaken by a mercenary paid for by an organization operating in Miami. The Cuban Government had communicated that information and other details of organizations operating in the southern part of the United States to the Special Rapporteur.

He said that the increasing phenomenon of firms selling security services was particularly attractive to governments with internal security problems, and what was emerging was "mercenarism that was being formally tolerated", and which presented a danger of transnational colonialism by such firms, particularly since they were interested in States that were rich in natural resources. If the functions of security were entrusted to private firms, States would be conceding aspects of their sovereignty to such firms. The matter needed to be studied and systematic analyses done to provide proposals for the international community to address the dangers which loomed over weak States that could not control order and security in their own countries. The "metamorphization of firms" into companies that offered protection services in weak States was grounds for concern. States had an interest in approving measures that would limit such firms, including the protection of human rights.

MAURICE GLELE-AHANHANZO, Special Rapporteur on Measures to Combat Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, introducing his report, emphasized the need to adopt measures at the international level to combat the phenomenon of using the Internet to spread racist propaganda. He said the problem of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, remained worldwide and called for the research, analyses, and consultations, at the international level, on ways to combat the use of the Internet for racist propaganda and for xenophobic purposes.

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PURIFICACION QUISUMBING, New York Office Director for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced reports on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, and the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. She also made introductory remarks on reports related to the rights of people to self-determination.

SYLVIE SCHOSSELER (Luxembourg), speaking for the European Union, and for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated country of Cyprus, as well as Iceland, said 1997 had been designated the European Year against Racism, to draw attention to the danger that racism represented to society. Among measures taken in the Union to control the phenomenon was the setting up of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. Such initiatives had been carried out in collaboration with civil society, including non- governmental organizations and victims of racism.

She said preparations for the World Conference on Racism should be undertaken at the national and regional levels; it should include participation by the United Nations specialized agencies. The High Commissioner for Human Rights should coordinate, and the Conference should deal with all forms of racism and racial discrimination based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin, along with the resulting xenophobia and intolerance in regions.

The role of government was crucial. Each State, as a priority, had to identify and analyse the phenomena in its own territory, and take firm action against rise of the manifestations. The roles of the police and the judicial system were particularly important. She said the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the two Covenants on human rights were categorical on the rights of peoples freely to determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Violations were a threat to the freedom and dignity of persons. Peoples had the right to change their government without the threat of coup e'etat, state of emergency or armed intervention.

KARIM WISSA (Egypt) said self-determination was a basic human right affirmed by numerous conferences and international instruments, but the Palestinian people were still fighting for their freedom. The United Nations was the symbol and embodiment of such rights, and the peace process involving "land for peace and rights" had been established by United Nations resolutions.

Many times it had been affirmed that the Palestinian people had legitimate national interests, the most important the right to self determination.

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He said Egypt supported the strategic option to establish a regime that could bring a durable peace, one that was just and comprehensive, one where justice and equity reigned in a balanced approach that would enable the people and future generations to live in peace and stability. As in the last three sessions of the General Assembly, Egypt would submit a special resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self determination. He hoped it would find numerous sponsors and be adopted by consensus.

He said he agreed with the Special Rapporteur's report on mercenaries, especially with the position of seeking to better define their activities. Use of mercenaries was in violation of the United Nations charter; they obstructed the right of people to self-determination. Collective actions must be taken against the phenomenon.

AFONSO VAN-DUNEM "MBINDA" (Angola), speaking for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) -- Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe -- said that despite years of efforts, expenditure and constitutional and legislative reforms, there still was a long way to go to achieve the goals set forth in the Convention against racial discrimination.

The SADC was deeply disturbed by the situation of national ethnic minorities in some countries, he said. Despite systematic pledges by governments to guarantee their rights, those groups were still either unrepresented or underrepresented in the power structures of most countries, and they had little access to property ownership. It was a peculiar problem in the SADC subregion in countries with a history of colonialism, where minorities were the propertied group and controlled the economy to the exclusion of the majority. That situation was inexcusable and all efforts were being made to correct the imbalance.

He said the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism provided hard evidence that foreign minorities, particularly migrant workers and members of their families, continued to be the main targets of discrimination, and were used as scapegoats by some governments for internal economic or social problems. Unless effective measures were taken by governments to promote multiculturalism and integration, many immigrants and migrant workers would remain marginalized and discriminated against.

The spreading of racist propaganda, particularly through the Internet, was of grave concern, he said appealing to governments to reinforce existing measures against racist organizations and punish severely their acts of incitement to racial hatred and violence. He said the Assembly should consider providing the necessary funds to implement the Programme of Action related to the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The

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convening of a world conference on racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was a priority and had the fullest support of the SADC.

LUIS VALENCIA RODRIGUEZ (Ecuador), a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, said his country had adjusted its penal code to be in line with the Convention. It had declared as illegal, organizations that promoted racial discrimination. Noting that a wide range of ethnic cultures and groups existed in his country, he appealed to all States that were multiracial and multiethnic to promote and respect all cultures.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, he said it wanted to strengthen its communication with the General Assembly as a means of improving the discharge of the Committee's functions. He stressed the need to achieve universality of acceptance of the International Convention since the struggle against racism and xenophobia and other intolerance should be pursued by the entire international community. He urged States that had not submitted reports to the Committee for more than five years to fulfil their reporting obligations. Those periodic reports were a vital element for the Committee to take cognizance of the situations regarding racism in States. He said the Assembly should allow the Committee to convene some of its sessions in New York to facilitate contact with more States parties.

JORGE FERRER RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said mercenaries of the kind described in the Special Rapporteur's report were now seen in the most highly developed countries. In addition, discrimination against immigrants was occurring in those countries, and one of the most hideous forms of racism was that against immigrants, especially in the materially advantaged countries.

He said the United States was a good example of both scourges. White men represented 33 per cent of the population, but represented 90 per cent of Senators. By contrast, men in racial minorities were 20 per cent of the population, but 59 per cent of those subjected to capital punishment. Affirmative action was being removed; "exclusivist, xenophobic practices" were out of control. In all such affluent countries, he said, mercenary and xenophobic groups were active, with almost complete impunity, and campaigns were designed to abet xenophobic trends.

He regretted lack of support for the Fund for the Third Decade. The conference on racism should be held by 2001 at the latest, and it should have as a goal the development of ways and means to fight the scourge. "Victims cannot go on waiting", he concluded. "It is important to eradicate racism before it is irreversible."

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JACK SPITZER (United States) said visitors to his country might not realize the efforts to eradicate racism in all its forms that were taken by civic groups, churches, non-governmental organizations and private citizens. The battles against racism were proof of commitment, not signs of failure. There were searing debates and concrete steps, which led to progress, such as a large African-American middle class and the increase in interracial marriages. The changes came more slowly than anyone wished, but positive change concerning race was the norm, with "news" of discrimination focusing on the exceptional event, not the norm.

Citing President Clinton's five-point initiative to articulate goals of racial conciliation and to bridge racial divides, he described the central elements as outreach, actions and recruitment of advisors and leaders. Those goals were in line with the Committee's resolution to fight racism, but the United States did not support the call for a world conference on racism.

He said the issue of racism was a matter of vital international concern and merited the highest level of attention from all Sates. The General Assembly also needed to become a more relevant global deliberative forum to consider issues of major global concern, and racism was precisely the kind of theme to be brought before the Assembly in a special session as a means of enhancing the Organization's standing and relevance.

PAULETTE CORNETTE (Guyana), speaking for countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the demise of apartheid marked only a first stage in the fight against racism. The battle was far from over, as shown by the Special Rapporteur's report on contemporary forms of the phenomenon. Xenophobia and the use of the Internet to spread racism were the worst manifestations. Combined with reports of new, enlarged and more organized forms of mercenary activity the situation was alarming.

She said progress in fighting racism depended on Governments honouring their obligations to all the international human rights instruments. The proclamation on the Third Decade to fight racism was a testament of international commitment, but it was disheartening to learn that implementation of the programme as planned for 1994 to 1997 had not taken place because there was no financing.

The United Nations could not remain quiet on issues of racism, but had to take concrete steps to eliminate the scourge. Holding the world conference on racism was crucial for the international community to focus on particular measures to eradicate the great divider in all parts of the world.

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She said the continuing denial of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people was a serious obstacle to efforts aimed at guaranteeing all people full exercise of their rights and freedoms. The exercise of the right was indispensable for the realization of a firm and lasting peace in that region.

RICARDO NEIVA TAVARES (Brazil) said that as the century ended, the international community faced with the resurgence of false doctrines of racial superiority, as well as xenophobic tendencies. These should be fought and eliminated everywhere in the world. Discrimination faced by migrant workers and ethnic minorities was cause for deep concern; the acts of violence and intimidation based on ethnic considerations had cost loss of lives and remained an overwhelming obstacle to the full respect of human rights. It was time to face those problems and take vigorous measures to eliminate them. He said all governments had a primary responsibility in that respect. Brazil was unequivocally committed to the fight; Brazilian society was based on a genuine diversity of races and ethnic groups, which contributed to its richness. Racial discrimination was a crime under the terms of the Brazilian Constitution.

At the international level, the framework of action provided by the Third Decade to Combat Racism must continue to receive the highest support of the international community, leading to the convening of a world conference not later than the year 2001, as an important way to address the issue in a comprehensive manner. It should be action-oriented and focus on practical measures to eradicate racism.

He said Brazil was deeply committed to the right of peoples to self- determination and supported peoples who still suffered from colonialism and other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation. The right to self- determination should not include action which would impair the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign States whose governments represented the whole population without distinction of any kind. A political system that fully respected democratic principles and protected the rights of minorities was the best shield against the dangers of separatism.

ERELLA HADAR (Israel) said her country had always been colour-blind and absorbed into its society peoples from the five continents. The Third Committee should be alerted to the present occurrences regarding the re-emergence of anti-Semitism. Despite some decline in violence against Jews, she said two developments seemed to threaten that trend -- "the Swiss gold affair" and the electoral success of European ultra right-wing parties. The Swiss gold affair highlighted both the outstanding debt to Jews, as individuals and as communal and national entities, and the domestic question of collaboration with the Nazis. In Switzerland, anti-Semitism, long dormant, was now openly being expressed in a variety of forms, at both the official and individual levels.

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She said extreme right-wing parties in Europe had made alarming gains in the past two years -- in such countries as Austria, France, and in Belgium. In spite of the differences that existed among the political parties, they shared common characteristics of racial hatred and ideological concepts. They blamed "foreigners" for severe unemployment, for rising crime rates and for spreading epidemics, especially HIV/AIDS. The foreigners included new immigrants, blacks, muslims, and citizens that had arrived years ago from Turkey and other countries, as well as Jews.

In addition, he said, the use of anti-semitic language had increased in the last year in the Arab media and at public and political meetings. The newest forms of technology, such as the Internet, were being increasingly used by extremist groups and had become the main means today for disseminating images and propaganda of racist hate.

CLAUDIA FRITSCHE (Liechtenstein) said there were many communities who felt their distinctive identities and qualities were insufficiently acknowledged, and who were driven to seek independence as the only way of achieving recognition. In cases where independence was an unreal option, self-administration could offer recognition without the strains of independence that led to conflict.

She said the notion was based on "communities" within States; instead of independence for groups, there would be self-administration within the continuing structure of the States. The elements would be flexible and chosen by the States and communities concerned, in light of the particular circumstances. Setting up the programme was a long-term endeavour for which practical measures were being developed. Pamphlets were available for fuller explanation.

XIE BOUHUA (China) said the theory of racial superiority was still exerting considerable influence, especially in some Western countries, where there was widespread prejudice, xenophobia and neo-nazism bred by differences in race, color, religion and belief. These forms of racism not only hampered rights and freedoms but aggravated social tensions.

He said China believed the United Nations should undertake a comprehensive study on contemporary forms of racism, to include an in-depth analysis of social and historical causes as well as manifestations of racism, along with recommendations on how to eradicate it. China also proposed a vigorous strengthening of activities under the Third Decade, with adequate financing, and it supported the convening of a conference on racism.

He said the principle is self-determination had received increased attention in recent years. China agreed that the international community must safeguard the inherent meaning of the principle. The principle should not be used as an excuse to encourage activities to split a country or violate its

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territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. He said restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people at the earliest date, including their right to self-determination, was the key to realizing peace and stability in the Middle East.

VLADYSLAV V. ZOZULYA (Ukraine) said to combat racism it was important to exchange national experiences, as well as to disseminate information on good practices and effective strategies undertaken at the local, national and international levels. Maximum use should also be made of promoting the Decade on Human Rights Education, and the European Year Against Racism which was being observed this year. Early warning procedures to improve the capacity of the United Nations to prevent conflicts resulting from racial and ethnic tensions deserved careful consideration.

In Ukraine the existing system of legal guarantees forbade racism and racial discrimination, he said. The country attached special importance to the rights of national minorities which constituted a quarter of the population. It also recognized the right of peoples to self determination as an inalienable right of all nations, but the principle of self-determination did not automatically imply the right to territorial secession. It was necessary to draw a dividing line between the right to secession and territorial separatism.

HUSSEIN HASSOUNA of the League of Arab States said the exercise of self- determination of the Palestinian people had been the focus of attention by the League since its inception. They had been deprived of their fundamental right available to all peoples and as enshrined in the United Nations Charter as well as in other international instruments. The Heads of States of the League members had continuously reaffirmed that right, which required the full withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian territory. The Israeli Government should be reminded of the statement by one of the founders of Israel, that Arabs in Palestine had the right to self determination. Why did the Israeli Government continue to challenge the legitimacy of that right? he asked.

MATHE DISEKO (South Africa) said the Special Rapporteur's report on new forms of racism did not properly reflect South Africa's situation. Explaining that there were technical reasons why the Special Rapporteur's visit to his country had been delayed, he asked that an exchange of correspondence related to the issue to be circulated.

Discrimination and intolerance had caused tragedies and sufferings in South Africa, he said, and the Government had enacted laws to outlaw racially inspired crimes which were products of ignorance, greed and opposition to change and civilization. Those laws were necessary in reinforcing the Governments's commitments and dedication in annihilating discrimination.

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