UN upholds fight for fairer world on anti-racism day
New York, US (PANA) - With xenophobia, prejudice, and hate speech on the rise, the UN community gathered in the General Assembly Hall on Wednesday to call for action to root out racism and discrimination across the world.
The annual ceremony to mark the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is held to remember the 21 March 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in apartheid South Africa.
This year’s commemoration also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Delivering opening remarks, General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi underlined the need for “relentless efforts” to combat racism as the legacies of the racist systems of slavery, apartheid, and segregation still reverberate in communities, institutions, and our minds.
“Like a virus, racism mutates and adapts itself to different times and contexts. It is said that ‘racism is like a Cadillac, there is a new model every year’. In fact, its manifestations and symptoms may change, but the breadth of its harm remains intact,” he said.
Racism and hate speech are besieging societies from many directions, including through technology and online.
He said algorithms can perpetuate racial stereotypes and biases, while technology can be used to increase illegal surveillance and reinforce discriminatory practices.
Mr. Kőrösi urged countries to “work towards the fair and equal world that the UN was designed to foster”.
“We owe it to the Emmet Tills, the Malik Oussekines, the George Floyds of this world – to all those who have fallen prey to the man-made delusion that is racism,” he said.
“We owe it to the Marcus Garveys, the Rosa Parkses, the Mahatma Ghandis, the Rigoberta Menchu Tums, and the Nelson Mandelas of this world – to all those who have dedicated their lives to combatting discrimination and racial violence.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said every country is affected by racial discrimination, which he described as a deeply damaging and pervasive abuse of human rights and dignity.
“When Governments and other authorities use racism and discrimination for political ends, they are playing with fire,” he warned, noting that the resulting “conflagration of violence and atrocity crimes” has been reflected throughout history.
-0- PANA MA 23March2023
