For equality, respect and dignity we must ‘speak as one’ against racism: Guterres
New York, US (PANA) - Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life across all societies, the UN chief said on Friday at a dedicated meeting against what he referred to as a catalyst that “normalises hate, denies dignity, and spurs violence”.
“It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality…to deny people their fundamental human rights,” added Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in an address to the General Assembly, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discriminaton.
A UN statement said he argued that racism destabilises communities worldwide, “undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and stymies an inclusive and sustainable recovery from COVID-19”.
Commemorated annually on 21 March, he described the day as “both a day of recognition and an urgent call to action”.
The top UN official drew attention to the links between racism and gender inequality, pointing to overlapping and intersecting discrimination suffered by women of colour and minority groups.
Moreover, he continued, “no country is immune from intolerance, nor free of hate”.
“Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, minority communities, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, and so many others – all continue to confront stigmatization, scapegoating, discrimination, and violence.”
This year’s theme – “Voices for Action against Racism” – calls on everyone to listen closely, speak out loudly, and act decisively.
“We all have a responsibility to engage in solidarity with movements for equality and human rights everywhere. And we must extend solidarity to everyone fleeing conflict,” said the UN chief, urging the world to “speak out against hate speech – offline and online”.
He upheld the need to defend civic space by protecting free expression and assembly, describing it as “the bedrock of pluralist, peaceful and inclusive societies”.
Mr. Guterres called for a rights-based social contract “to tackle poverty and exclusion, invest in education, and rebuild trust and social cohesion”.
“We must listen to those experiencing injustice and ensure their concerns and demands are at the centre of efforts to dismantle discriminatory structures,” he insisted.
He made a case for “reparatory justice” to realise racial equality and atone in a substantive way for centuries of enslavement and colonialism.
“Historical injustices manifest themselves in poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, and social instability for entire communities and countries,” he said, adding “it is time to recognise and repair longstanding wrongs”.
-0- PANA MA/RA 19March2022
