UNHCR chief: Scourge of racism has devastated many lives
New York, US (PANA) - Although the past year has seen the world battling the deadly impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scourge of racism has also devastated many lives with tragic consequences, the UN refugee agency said on Sunday.
Violent and deadly attacks against Black, Brown, Asian and Indigenous people, toxic language, and daily and sustained racially charged acts have rightly forced painful - but necessary - conversations to re-examine prejudice, privilege, the way we view the world, and most importantly how we act.
This is contained in a statement by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to mark International Day for the Elimination if Racial Discrimination on Sunday.
"We must take this opportunity to work towards a world that is not just against racism, but is actively anti-racist," the message said.
Mr. Grandi said as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, he had seen first hand how racism and racial discrimination were a root cause of persecution and displacement.
"Actively combatting racism and racial discrimination can and will help prevent this. It will also reduce the dangerous discrimination and stigmatization that all too often confronts refugees in their countries of asylum."
Mr. Grandi said a failure to eliminate racial discrimination will continue to force innocent people to flee and fear for their lives.
He said today was not only a recognition of the need for others to act. "We must all pause and reflect on ourselves, our organizations, and our actions."
Mr Grandi said UNHCR was looking inwards to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce to deliver on their mandate and respond to the needs of displaced and stateless people around the world.
"We are working to become better cognisant of our unconscious bias and to eliminate discrimination to become a more anti-racist, non-discriminatory organization. This is my commitment as High Commissioner: to ensure that UNHCR is an organization where diversity is not only valued, but where every colleague feels seen, heard, and represented."
He said on the occasion, "I call on all of us to renew our commitment to listen, stand up, speak out, and actively combat racism and racial discrimination," adding "racism and racial discrimination against anyone of us hurts all of us".
-0- PANA MA/AR 21March2021
