Chair
My contribution today is framed by our contribution to the "World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance", held at Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001, as well as our regular contributions to the Commission on Human Rights in previous years (2001, 2002 and 2003) and to the United Nations General Assembly.
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality,) as you know, provide a solid basis for work to alleviate tension, combat discrimination and have an impact not only on vulnerable persons but on the public as a whole.
In response to the rise in discrimination and violence, in particular against minorities, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stepped up its efforts, intensifying its "Action to reduce Discrimination and Violence in the community", together with other types of intervention such as combating stigmatization of persons living with HIV/AIDS and support for migrants and displaced persons often marginalized and excluded.
I recall that States party to the Geneva Conventions as well as the National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies pledged, during the 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (held in Geneva from 31 October to 6 November 1999), to " cooperate and, as appropriate, take initiatives to promote tolerance, non-violence in the community and respect for cultural diversity".
The Federation has already undertaken a number of Regional Actions, promoting awareness of the problems of discrimination and resulting in programmes implemented by the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the national and local levels.
In Central Africa (July 2002) the biggest programmes were for persons with HIV/AIDS whereas in Central Asia (September 2002) support to displaced populations was given more attention. The approach chosen by the National Red Cross Societies in the Americas (in 2002) was to focus on discrimination through youth programmes, promoting greater understanding and mutual respect for less violence.
Lastly, very shortly the National Societies in southern Asia (August 2003) and Middle East and North Africa (second half 2003) will work more specifically on issues of inter-ethnic cohabitation and gender issues.
The National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, active in this area (such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Columbia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Iceland, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom) have become involved in a process of pooling information and experience in order to collect their practices in real time.
A data bank of good ideas and practices to combat discrimination and violence in the community is being developed as a result.
As announced at the meeting of experts jointly organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO last February in Paris, some one hundred cases contained in the data bank will be posted on our Web site for all persons interested in combating such scourges, as from the end of this year. (http ://www.ifrc.org/what/values/discrimination/bg.asp)
This Action to reduce discrimination involves a number of areas (action, training, information, advocacy, evaluation of results, impact study, communication, awareness and information campaigns) over several years and will, of course, be systematically linked to other problems such as HIV/AIDS, asylum seekers and migrants. Our Action is rooted in the local and community sectors, i.e. where such an action can have a real and lasting impact.
Chair,
We are convinced that More Humanity is always possible. It implies ongoing concrete interventions with all actors in civil society. The combat against racism and racial discrimination requires the commitment of each and everyone.
We will contribute to this collective duty at all times and in particular in the context of the forthcoming International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held in Geneva this coming December, the main theme of which will, as you know, be "Protecting human dignity", in the hope that the States will strengthen their commitment to implement the Agenda for Humanitarian Action.