Elimination of racism and racial discrimination
Speech delivered by Kirsti Pohjankukka, Special Adviser of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to the United Nations General Assembly, 55th session, New York
19 October 2000



Madame Chair, All Red Cross/Red Crescent activities have one central purpose: to help without discrimination those who suffer. All National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are required by the Statutes of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to function without consideration of race, sex, class, religion or political opinions (Article 4.8 of the Statutes of the Movement). All action carried out by each component of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement - including the 176 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - is deeply rooted in the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

These principles are based on the practical experience of individuals and organisations active on the field. They include one universal concept, which is the founding principle of the Movement, as well as the guiding force behind all humanitarian action and what distinguishes all of us as human beings: humanity. Humanity is about the respect for one's fellow human being. It can be manifested simply by acceptance of someone's right to be different.

Madame Chair,

The Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement has traditionally worked to spread knowledge on the Fundamental Principles. Within the Red Cross/Red Crescent action 97 million people around the world, representing every nationality and culture, volunteer to work to uphold those values. When providing humanitarian assistance the Red Cross/Red Crescent workers in the field, from Rwanda to Kosovo and from East Timor to the Middle East, today often have a complementary task of eliminating the ethnic barriers.

Young people have proven to be particularly effective and determined in promoting tolerance. In the beginning of the 1990s, the youth network of the Red Cross/Red Crescent felt the strong need to contribute more to the fight against discrimination. A global youth leadership training was launched in close co-operation with the Council of Europe under the auspices of the campaign 'All different, all equal'. The European network 'Minorities and Human Rights in a Changing Europe' has been the foundation of the development of youth leadership training action pack and training processes. The Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies have universally build the initiative into different national approaches, like the Norwegian Red Cross youth 'stop violence' campaign, which was similarly included in the Colombian Red Cross action for peace. Further, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies organised a youth event in Kribi, Cameroon, on 9-17 September 2000 for the Central Africa region (countries participating included Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tomé and Principé). Almost a hundred youth leaders were trained on different inter active methodology to run programmes related to 'the Culture of Peace'.

Madame Chair,

Still the Red Cross/Red Crescent felt the urgent need to do even more. In the world with increasing isolation, tension and recourse to violence we need to work in partnership in order to encourage respect for other human beings and for the willingness to work together to find solutions to community problems. This particularly as racial discrimination is not only objectionable in itself, but it also is likely to make other action and initiatives much more difficult to carry out. The 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, held in November 1999, adopted the Plan of Action for the Years 2000-2003. In the Plan of Action the States and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement committed to develop strategic partnership and new means to meet the needs of vulnerable people and to reduce discrimination and violence in the community.

Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies and States party to the Geneva Conventions pledged to co-operate and to take initiatives to promote tolerance, non-violence in the community and respect for cultural diversity. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is currently considering ways and means of assisting its member National Societies in this regard, and intends to disseminate information on the work done so that all National Societies and Governments can share their achievements and approaches to problems.

Madame Chair,

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has also enhanced its commitment to the struggle against racism in its Strategy 2010, which was adopted in October 1999. The Strategy was the culmination of a two-year process of consultation with National Societies. Along with an analysis of trends in the external environment, it draws on the lessons learned from within the Red Cross/Red Crescent during the last decade.

One of the core areas in the Strategy 2010 is the promotion of fundamental principles and humanitarian values. The aim is to mobilise the power of humanity in order to influence the behaviour of the people we work with, through a better understanding of humanitarian values. The three main target groups are those working within Red Cross/Red Crescent, public and private sectors, and members of the communities where we work. Based on our experience and operational capacity, we believe that Red Cross/Red Crescent can be a catalyst for change and can make a difference in the way people behave towards each other.

We are now working with National Societies and States in implementing the Plan of Action for the years 2000-2003, to foster a climate of tolerance, mutual acceptance and peace. We hope to be in a position to inform the General Assembly of concrete achievements as implementation proceeds.

Thank you Madam Chair.