Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination
Statement delivered by Malika Ait-Mohamed Parent, International Federation, to the Commission on Human Rights, 57th session, Geneva
23 March 2001



Mr President,

I should first like briefly to greet Mrs Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights. We regret the announcement of her departure in the autumn. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies however congratulates Mrs Robinson's decision to pursue her commitment to Human Rights after completing her mandate.

Our International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies works in the framework of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In this respect, we wish to support the position the ICRC presented here yesterday.

For a number of years now the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has, directly or indirectly, worked to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this respect I recall that, at the 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (held in Geneva from 31 October to 6 November 1999), the States and National Societies pledged to "cooperate and, as appropriate, take initiatives to promote tolerance, non-violence in the community and respect for cultural diversity".

Furthermore, as stated in our Strategy 2010 (ch. 6.3.1., p.15 in the English version), "in a world with increasing isolation, tension and recourse to violence, the Red Cross/Red Crescent must champion the individual and community values which encourage respect for other human beings and a willingness to work together to find solutions to community problems. The International Federation is in a unique position to help bring this about through its mandate, its Fundamental Principles and the esteem in which its emblems are held. Action in this area" moreover is "closely coordinated with the ICRC.

The purpose of this core area is not simply to ensure that people ... know of these principles and values, but to influence their behaviour."

Some National Societies "are already engaged in programmes ... to influence behaviour in the community. These programmes involve initiatives to oppose discrimination (for example, against asylum seekers, immigrants, people affected by HIV/AIDS and the disabled); to stop violence and to build a culture of non-violence in the resolution of difference in the community." (ch. 6.3.1., page 16 in the English version).

The main actors in these programmes, serving their respective communities within the 176 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, are, in fact, the 97 million volunteers who work daily throughout the world, the vast majority of whom are young people and women.

Young people in our Movement have, indeed, often been, and still are, the initiators, catalysts and main actors of programmes to oppose racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and of programmes for integration. The Colombian Red Cross PACO programme and the French Red Cross "modérateurs urbains" programme are two such examples.

Each and everyone of us must be committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

In this regard, the Federation is looking forward to participating in the proceedings of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa, this coming September.

It will thus make a concrete contribution, in its desire to alleviate the suffering of human beings, in line with its mission for the years up to 2010, namely, to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

Thank you.