SUDAN
Statement by
H.E Mr. ALI MOHAMED OSMAN YASSIN
Minister of Justice
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN
Before the Third World Conference against Racism
SUDAN
Statement by
H.E Mr. ALI MOHAMED OSMAN YASSIN
Minister of Justice
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN
Before the Third World Conference against Racism
Durban,
August 31 st - 7t' September 2001
Madame President,
Allow me at the outset, to congratulate you on your election to steer this important
gathering. Our congratulations are also extended to the members of the bureau.
I would also like to register our thanks to the people and Government of South
Africa for their hospitality in hosting this world Conference. We salute the
heroic struggle of this great nation against Apartheid; we also pay tribute
to the wisdom of its leadership. We share with the People of South Africa their
grief for the loss of a great son of Africa, the late Govan Mbeke.
Madame President,
My country attaches great importance to this conference, which we hope will
contribute to the creation of a better world that rids itself of the evils and
abhorrence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The strict observance and adherence to the spirit of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action would
guide the pursuit of equality and nondiscrimination in all countries and societies.
To reflect the aspirations of the peoples of the world in their magnificent
diversity, governments must affirm the implementation of economic, social and
cultural rights along civil and political rights. In this context we recognize
the importance of the civil society in assisting governments by proposing and
implementing strategies for the fight against racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance.
Madame President,
Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, positive developments
took place in the international, regional and national laws emphasizing and
underpinning equality. Notwithstanding that, racist attitudes still remain entrenched.
We also note with sadness and regret that minorities, indigenous people, migrants,
asylum seekers and refugees still suffer from widespread inequalities and racial
discrimination.
Education, Madame President, remains a key to the promotion of respect for racial,
ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of societies, and for the promotion
and protection of values, which are essential to prevent spread of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. New information technologies
including the Internet should contribute to combating racism and should also
be used to enhance and augment tolerance and respect for diversity.
Madame. President,
This is the third World Conference to be held to combat racism, racial discrimination
and related intolerance. It is our desire that the outcome of this conference
be recorded by history as ultimate remedial solutions in the path of creating
a world free of racism. Looking for a better future requires healthy present
and in-depth study of the past. The injustices of the past should be recognized.
The slave trade, particularly against Africans was an appalling tragedy in the
history of humanity, not only of its abhorrent barbarism but also of its enormous
magnitude, its institutionalized nature and transnational dimension and particularly
its negation of the essence of the victims. History recorded that economic prosperity
in some quarters of the world was built on the miseries of Africa and the Africans.
The economic marginalization of Africa started by its deprivation of capable
and strong manpower by slave trade; followed by the uneven exploitation and
sometimes siphoning of its natural resources during the colonial era, and is
culminating nowadays by virtue of economic globalization where Africa doesn't
have the capacity to compete commercially in the world economy. Justice and
fairness necessitate that those responsible for these injustices should bare
the responsibility and assist in rectifying this unfortunate situation.
Madame. President,
It is imperative upon this World conference to address and. condemn the ongoing
Israeli practices of occupation based on settlement, displacement, blockade,
collective punishment and extra judicial killings against the Palestinian People,
committed in flagrant defiance of the international community and legality.
Madame. President,
Our Constitution in the Sudan was drafted in conformity with the International
Bill of Human Rights particularly those sections that deal with rights, freedoms,
duties and responsibilities. The Constitution stipulates for the freedom and
sanctity of life for all Sudanese and for being free from subjection to slavery,
forced labour, humiliation and torture; for the right of equality before the
law and that "there shall be no discrimination for reasons of sex, race
or religious creed"; for sanctity of life; for freedom of movement; for
freedom of creed and worship; for freedom of thought and expression and for
freedom of organization and association. Article 27 of the constitution stipulates
for the sanctity of cultural communities where "there shall be guaranteed
for every community or group of citizens the right to preserve their particular
culture, language or religion, and rear children freely within the framework
of their particularity".
Madame President,
It is only by solidarity, cooperation and by deepening the understanding that people should have equal rights, can we confront and circumvent racism. We, however, should endeavor to inculcate the principles and norms embodied in the UN Charter and relevant International Covenants in our constitutions and national laws. States are called upon to take all necessary constitutional, legal, legislative and administrative measures including appropriate form of affirmative action to prohibit and redress discrimination in all of its manifestations and ensure that these measures are respected and implemented by all state authorities at all levels.
Thank you Madame. President.
Source: High Commissioner of Human Rights