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Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Excellencies, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) anchored in the principles of equality and non-discrimination is a milestone in our collective struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Pakistan has undertaken affirmative actions and administrative measures to implement recommendations of the DDPA, to ensure equality of opportunity and empowerment of all citizens, especially women and minorities. Pakistan attaches great importance to the declaration of 2011 as the year of the people of the African descent.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
We welcome progress towards evolving normative standards and instruments for providing protection against different forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. These standards must be transformed into concrete actions to effectively address contemporary forms and manifestations of racism that still persist and unfortunately have increased in some parts of the world, resulting in continued human suffering.
Politicization of immigration, rigid hierarchical social structures, unequal power and economic relations, religious intolerance and situations of foreign occupation are main vehicles for sustaining systematic forms of discrimination. Ideological and political resistance to multiculturalism is one of the root causes of resurgence of racist and xenophobic tendencies.
One of the most insidious forms of contemporary racism is religious profiling and negative stereotyping and the consequential incitement to hatred, Islam and Muslims are particular target of this form of contemporary racism. Recent instances of violence in different parts of the world have further confirmed that terrorism has no faith.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
We are confident that effective implementation of provisions of the DDPA and the Outcome Document of its Review Conference would bring desired positive changes in the lives of all the victims of racism.
Pakistan appreciates efforts made by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to incorporate implementation of the DDPA into the UN system and to promote its wider realization through sustained support.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Victims of racism have high hopes from this gathering. We must respond to these hopes by renewing our commitment to the full and effective implementation of the DDPA and by putting the fight against racism high on our agenda. It is important to recognize and to redress the wrongs done to the victims of racism.
Political will is central to the universal fight against racism. Pakistan supports the Declaration adopted by this Meeting and calls upon all stakeholders to fully commit and intensify their efforts in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It is the key to developing a just and harmonious world for our future generations.
I thank you.