unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/29/89)
smaller countries also had a chance to serve. He proposed that a rotation
system for experts be established.
CHRISTY MBONU, expert from Nigeria, noting the magnitude of the problem,
pointed out that one should differentiate between institutionalized and
non-institutionalized discrimination. It was not surprising that apartheid,
an institutionalized form of discrimination, continued to be condemned by the
whole of mankind. Unfortunately, little progress had been achieved on South
Africa during the Decades to Combat Racism. The report presented by Mr. Eide
recorded very modest results on fighting apartheid and racial discrimination.
She noted that with the beginning of the Decade the fight against racial
discrimination had been intensified. Quite a few measures had been taken
against institutionalized racism and some measures had been also taken against
non-institutionalized discrimination. However, more intensive action was
required to deal with the problem of racial discrimination.
ION DIACONU, expert from Romania, said there were many types of racist
regimes and made special reference to the particular position of national,
religious and ethnic minorities. General solutions could not be found given
the diversity of situations involved. Ethnic conflicts should be foreseen and
avoided at all costs. He was in favour of the recommendations made in the
report for more functional responses to the problems faced by minorities. The
Sub-Commission should not duplicate the work of the Commission on Human
Rights, where a report was being drawn up on minorities.
EYA NCHAMA, observer for the International Movement for the Fraternal
Union among Races and Peoples, recalling that in 1985 the organization had
already spoken to the Sub-Commission on the petition of ethnic minorities,
noted that racism had taken its roots from colonialism, which had created such
phenomena as the ethnic complex. The situation of ethnic minorities was a
problem for Africa since it was not seldom that the power in African countries
fell in the hands of an ethnic minority. Zaire and Equatorial Guinea could
serve as examples of that. In order to put an end to the ethnic complex and
ethnic discrimination which were parts of racial discrimination, African
countries should take into account their national specifics and should not try
to model themselves on other countries.
DANILO TURK, expert from Yugoslavia, recalled the draft declaration on
persons belonging to minorities. Regarding linguistic minorities, guidelines
related to linguistic rights would be most useful and merited further study.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
could be consulted in that regard, he said. Regarding migrant workers, that
was a problem also which deserved a great deal of attention. There were over
20 million migrant workers in Europe. Their population in schools was on the
increase, even though restrictions had been placed on migrant workers. He
then proceeded to make the following four proposals: the processes of
adaptation should be mutual; the countries of immigration should accept the
migrant's political culture; at the level of the economic system, migrant
workers should also be allowed to form their own groups in line with the local
system; and, finally, it was very important that migrant workers be able to
fit into the local community.
HALIMA WARZAZI, expert from Morocco, said the traditional concept of
racism had become obsolete since it was now characterized not only by
discrimination based on race and colour but also related to political
differences and economic life, penetrating deeply into the life of societies.
The causes of racism were not sufficiently known yet; that was why it was so
difficult to deal with the disease. The monitoring mechanism on racism and
racial discrimination needed to be strengthened, and the States had to meet
their financial obligations under the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination.
AIDID ILKAHANAF, expert from Somalia, said that physical struggle was not
enough to eliminate apartheid. Psychological pressure was necessary, and the
international community had to continue exerting pressure on the South African
authorities. Referring to Zimbabwe, he said a peaceful transition was
possible in a fair and democratic process.
THEODOOR VAN BOVEN, expert from the Netherlands, said that the report
presented by Mr. Eide was a landmark study providing a very useful record of
activity of the United Nations during the Decades to Combat Racism. That
study deserved wide dissemination so that everybody could benefit from it. He
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
---
Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information
patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange
-=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-