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Mr. Chairman,
We associate with the statement made by Yemen on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms that all human beings have an inalienable entitlement “to equal protection against any discrimination” and “against any incitement to such discrimination.”
The existence of institutionalized form of racism in the past had been responsible for grave injustices and intense conflicts in the world. While the world is still trying to undo the wrongs of the past, unfortunately we are witnessing emergence of new forms of related intolerances and in some cases resurgence of older ones. In recent times politicization of immigration, rigid hierarchical social structures, unequal power and economic relations, religious intolerance and the situations of foreign occupation continue to provide validation and sustenance to systematic forms of discrimination.
Mr. Chairman,
Ideological and political resistance to multiculturalism is one of the root causes of the resurgence of racist and xenophobic tendencies. In our view, rejection of diversity has led to the negation of the rights of immigrants, foreigners and minorities. The most serious manifestation of racism is the legitimization of racism and xenophobia in the guise of defending ‘identity or preference’. The instances of racism and racial discrimination are on the rise in some societies, this has been widely documented. The violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of minorities including migrants and ethnic communities have gained a new political form and legitimacy which actively discriminate and violate the fundamental human rights of these groups.
Mr. Chairman,
One of the worst forms of racism is the incitement to racial and religious hatred, which has manifested itself in the shape of negative stereotyping of race and religion including defamation of religions and sacred personalities. Defamation of religion has no basis in the concept of constructive criticism or debate and is rather directed to spread hate, discrimination and violence against specific religions or their individual adherents.
Some portray defamation of religions as a clash between freedom of expression and freedom of religion, some try to avoid it under the garb of sociological construct and yet others try to portray it as granting rights to beliefs thereby changing the orientation of human rights discourse.
The debate on the subject has been wrongly linked with malafide intentions to its perceived clash with another fundamental right i.e. freedom of opinion and expression. While existing jurisprudence allows freedom of expression to be exercised with responsibility, the proponents of its unbridled use exercise selectively and have themselves restricted it, and rightly so, in some cases, but justifying its unhindered application in regard to productions which defame Islam.
Yet, no one can either justify any defamatory campaigns or deny the negative stereotyping of religions and its negative impact on the enjoyment of the human rights by the individual adherents of those religions or beliefs. As civilized societies we are all bound to exercise our freedoms with responsibility and claim our fundamental rights within the parameters of internationally accepted norms.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan attaches great importance to the subject of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. We have remained actively involved in the promotion of anti-racism agenda at all forums including the legal fight against the legacy of colonialism at the United Nations. Our engagement is based on the principle that racism in all its forms and manifestations counters the fundamental values of peace, equality, justice and universal brotherhood espoused by Islam and all religions of the world.
Pakistan was actively engaged in the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and its outcome document i.e. Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). Last year during the Durban Review Conference, we continued to play an active and constructive role in helping achieve a successful outcome.
The Outcome document of the Durban Review Conference expressed international community’s affirmation of the minimum standards with which to combat the scourge of racism at all levels. At the same time, this document also makes a significant contribution by identifying new forms of discrimination and intolerance, in particular, negative stereotyping and profiling on the grounds of religion and belief.
Mr. Chairman,
Althoguht significant progress has been made towards evolving normative standards, as a response to emerging forms of racism, we look forward to further develop the international legal regime through the work of the Adhoc Committee on Complementary Standards. We also await to the series of expert workshops being organized by OHCHR on the prohibition of incitement to national, racial or religious hatred. These workshops will provide an opportunity to gain better understanding of legislative patterns, judicial practices and different types of policies, in countries of the various regions of the world, with regard to prohibiting incitement to national, racial, or religious hatred.
It is easy to recognize extreme forms of racisms, and racial discrimination, the challenge for us is to be vigilant of increasing number of subtle cases which are as harmful, and as morally reprehensible. History teaches us that discrimination in all its forms and manifestations, when not dealt with, has become a threat to the fabric of our civilization, for it is an ill that only festers and worsens with time, if not addressed to its core.
I thank you.