IRAN WARNS OF RISING DISCRIMINATION, VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIMS, DURING THIRD COMMITTEE DEBATE

27 October 1998

Press Release
GA/SHC/3486

IRAN WARNS OF RISING DISCRIMINATION, VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIMS, DURING THIRD COMMITTEE DEBATE

19981027 Says Fear of Islam Intolerant, Destructive; Committee Continues Discussion of Racism, Self-Determination

Discrimination and violence against Muslims, or the phenomenon of "Islamophobia" was a clear manifestation of xenophobia and intolerance, the representative of Iran told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning, as it continued its consideration of issues related to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

The phenomenon had its destructive consequences and was a serious concern for the Islamic world, he said. It was an issue that fell within the mandate of two special rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights; on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; and on religious intolerance. Also on the issue of religious intolerance, the representative of Libya said an example of inherent racism was the fact that works of violence and terrorism were considered acts of individuals when non-Muslims committed them, but when they were undertaken by Muslims, they were considered to be part of a wider conspiracy. The current century bore a chilling testimony to the danger of racism when it went unchecked and to the importance of weaving tolerance and respect for others into the fabric of society, said the representative of Israel. The recent rise of neo-Nazi and racist parties added new urgency to the goal that the lessons of this century should be heeded in the next. Acts of anti-Semitism and racism could not be contained by persuasion and education alone. Legislation, vigorously enforced, had a proven and direct impact on its spread. At the same time, the representative of Jordan noted, while codes of tolerance and human rights already embodied in legislation were of utmost importance, their real significance was seen when those codes of equality were translated into the values and daily life of peoples. Common ground should be established among all the peoples of the world to facilitate co-existence. Statements were also made by the representatives of Liechtenstein, Morocco and Guyana. The Third Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to conclude its consideration of the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its consideration of issues related to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination. (For background information on the documents before the Committee, see Press Release GA/SHC/3484 of 23 October.)

Statements

CLAUDIA FRITSCHE (Liechtenstein) said the exercise of the right of self-determination was a process, not an isolated act. Like many rights under international law, the right of self-determination required continuing implementation through such means as genuine periodic elections or other appropriate means expressing the will of the people concerned. Also, that right could not be automatically equated with the attainment of independence or statehood. There was still a lack of awareness of that principle, which rendered discussions on self-determination unnecessarily sensitive, controversial and politicized. Further, that right was the prerequisite for the implementation of all human rights and its realization had an immediate bearing on the cause of human rights.

Horrendous atrocities, such as the genocide in Rwanda, had shown that prevention was the only means of effectively dealing with certain problems and, thus, prevention had to be placed higher on the agenda of the United Nations, she said. A more forward-looking and flexible approach to the right of self-determination was a key element of such an approach. The proposals submitted by the Member States were simply aimed at promoting dialogue among communities or between communities living within States and the Government of those States. Such a dialogue would be based on the recognition that communities had the right of self-determination exercised through different degrees of self-administration, in accordance with the principle of territorial integrity.

ORLY GIL (Israel) said this century bore a chilling testimony to the danger of racism when it went unchecked and to the importance of weaving tolerance and respect for others into the fabric of society. The recent rise of neo-Nazi and racist parties added new urgency to the goal that the lessons of this century should be heeded in the next. As victims of the genocidal consequences of hatred, Israelis were acutely sensitive to the need to uproot the seeds of racism before they germinated into violence.

Israel's Ministry of Education had dedicated the coming academic year to the theme of tolerance, under a programme called "The duty to respect and the right to be respected", she said. The nationwide campaign was bringing together government and private groups, educators, community leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Yet, experience throughout the world had shown that acts of anti-Semitism and racism could not be contained by persuasion and education alone. Legislation, vigorously enforced, had a

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proven and direct impact on the spread of racism. The Israeli Parliament had taken several steps against signs of hatred and racism. In the 1980s, the Knesset passed two laws prohibiting racist incitement, and under a 1990 television and radio law, the holders of concessions for cable television services cannot broadcast racist material.

AICHA EL KABBAJ (Morocco) said that racism had led to a resurgence of acute nationalism and a dramatic increase in conflicts, as a result of ideologies based on the superiority of certain groups. That trend had been exacerbated by the use of new technologies and it had caused disquiet, as it impinged on the principles of the United Nations. The human and cultural heritage embodied in the principles of the United Nations Charter could not attain their noble objective without the courage, solidarity and understanding of the international community.

The Third Decade to Combat Racism was an appropriate framework to address all forms of racism, whether institutional or based on religion. The State could use decisive punitive measures, as well as education and other programmes, to reach the goal of a social order based on equality. The decision to hold the conference on racism in the year 2001 would offer the international community an opportunity to find appropriate solutions. If racism persisted, it could lead to the collapse of certain societies.

Migrant workers, in particular, needed protection as they continued to suffer from various kinds of discrimination and intolerance, she continued. The convention protecting rights of migrant workers and members of their families was a milestone to protect migrant workers, but that instrument had not entered into force because of the small number of States that had ratified it. She appealed to States to ratify that instrument in order to protect the rights of migrant workers who contributed to the economies of the States in which they lived.

SAMER NABER (Jordan) said his Government had not only undertaken dialogue with its neighbours -- in a consistently volatile region -- but had continuously sought to mainstream its approach in internal legislation and policies, bolstered by its commitment to 17 human rights covenants, including the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination. Codes of tolerance and human rights already embodied in the Jordanian Constitution and local legislation were of utmost importance, but the real significance was seen when those codes of equality were translated into the values and the daily life of citizens.

Common ground should be established among all the peoples of the world to facilitate co-existence, he said. He welcomed the decision to convene the International Conference on the Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination in the year 2001, and called upon the Commission on Human Rights to play an active role as the preparatory committee for the conference.

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Although many resolutions had been passed on the subject of self-determination, the Palestinian people were still unable to express their just and inalienable right to self-determination on their national soil, he said. He welcomed the positive development in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, and hoped that it would be a significant step towards the just resolution of the Palestinian problem, which would guarantee the Palestinian peoples the right to self-determination and the creation of an independent State .

FATMA ASHOUR (Libya) noted the increase in reports of racism, racist ideologies and xenophobia, and said the international community was duty-bound to fight such phenomena. Racist organizations were also taking advantage of modern forms of communication, in particular the Internet. Neo-Nazis and racists spread their views in full view of the world and were even protected by governments, who believed they were protecting freedom and democracy.

She said another example of inherent racism was the fact that works of violence and terrorism were considered acts of individuals when non-Muslims committed them, but when they were undertaken by Muslims, they were considered to be part of a wider conspiracy. She also supported the call to convene an International Conference on the Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination. Further, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had only one member from Africa, despite provisions to ensure fair geographical representation and that situation should be redressed.

The right to self-determination of peoples was a widely accepted human right, yet many peoples were still denied the enjoyment of that right, she said. That was the case for the Palestinian people. Since 1948, they had been living under occupation or in refugee camps, awaiting implementation of United Nations resolutions that would grant them their statehood.

PAULETTE CORNETTE (Guyana), speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), expressed concern at the increasing manifestation of contemporary forms of racism, such as xenophobia, ethnic and religious cleansing and related intolerance. In addition, there were other more subtle practices of racism and racial discrimination, such as legislation being adopted by many governments, particularly in developed countries, against immigrants and migrant workers. Despite the near universal ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, racist practices persisted, which demonstrated a lack of implementation.

It was an affront to the international community that 50 years after the establishment of the United Nations, people were being denied the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination, she said. In that regard, CARICOM supported the struggle of the Palestinian people for their right to self-determination and called for an early settlement of the Palestinian

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question. Furthermore, the use of mercenary activities to violate human rights and undermine the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination had been recognized and condemned by the Special Rapporteur. She joined in condemning such activities and called on governments to prevent their territories and citizens from being used in such acts.

ESMAEIL AFSHARI (Iran) said discrimination and violence against Muslims, or the phenomenon of "Islamophobia", was a clear manifestation of xenophobia and intolerance. It was a serious concern for the Islamic world and for Iran in particular. His country had warned consistently about its destructive consequences and believed that the question of Islamophobia fell within the mandate of both the Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance.

The abuse of new communication technologies, including the Internet, for the purpose of disseminating ideas based on superiority and incitement to racial hatred was continuing, he said. More than 100 extremist sites and servers had been listed that advocated white superiority and racial hatred. His country was ready to host the Asian preparatory meeting for the international conference on racism. Members of the international community should once again reaffirm their commitment in the real struggle against racism.

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