STATEMENT BY THE FEDERAL MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, H.E. MR. GORAN
SVILANOVIC AT THE WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL
DISCRIMINATION,
XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE
Durban, September 1, 2001
Madam President,
I would like to congratulate you on being elected to the Chair of the
most
important international conference held in the first year of a new
millennium. The fact that this World Conference is being held in South
Africa is a recognition of the role your country has played in the
struggle
for the elimination of racism and apartheid as well as in the creation
of a
new democratic society based on the principles of reconciliation,
tolerance, equality and justice. The former President of South Africa,
The
Right Honorable Nelson Mandela, has become a universal symbol of the
struggle against racism and apartheid. His ideals were fully expressed
in
the Declaration "Tolerance and Diversity: a Vision for the 21st
Century",
that he signed with the President of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki,
and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson. Madam
President, The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia attaches great importance
to the holding
of the World Conference against Racism. Even more so, since we come from
a
region which over the past century has been faced with the most severe
forms of intolerance, xenophobia, national extremism resulting in
serious
conflicts.
The new democratic Yugoslav Government is aware that the territories we
live in bear the legacy of ethnic strife, massive violations of human
rights and of humanitarian law. I am sure that everyone knows the tragic
outcome of more than ten-year wrongful and failed efforts by the
proponents
of various nationalist policies in the region of Southeast Europe,
including those of the former regime in the FR of Yugoslavia, the
consequences of which will be felt for many years to come. Therefore, I
would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our readiness
to discuss openly all the tragic events in these territories. A
comprehensive process of reconstruction and reconciliation means that
truth
should be found out and that all forms of human rights violations and
crimes should be uncovered and punished. The Truth and Reconciliation
Commission set up in the FR of Yugoslavia, and similar commissions
currently being established in other countries, may play an important
role
in this process.
One of the essential elements upon which the new authorities in the FR
of
Yugoslavia want to build a society, is the rule of law and the respect
for
human rights. A lot has been achieved in this field, above all making
the
domestic legislation compatible with the obligations that the FR of
Yugoslavia assumed internationally, in the reorganization of the
judiciary,
improving the human rights record in the country, particularly minority
rights. However, we are still not satisfied and we are aware that this
process is a long-term one and that it should constitute a basis for a
just
and prosperous society.
By the Statement on succession, the Federal Government reaffirmed in
March
2001 that it continued to be a party to all international conventions
concluded in this field within the framework of the United Nations,
including the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. As
an
expression of its commitment to cooperate in a comprehensive manner with
the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in June 2001
the
FR of Yugoslavia acknowledged also the Committee's mandate to consider
grievances made by individuals.
Madam President,
Allow me to briefly touch upon a problem, which is, in our opinion, of
crucial importance not only to the stabilization of the situation in my
country but for the region of Southeast Europe as a whole. It deals with
the status of the national minorities and ethnic communities, as well as
with confidence-building at the national and regional level.
We truly believe that national minorities and other ethnic communities,
which account for a third of the population of my country, represent a
factor of full democratization and development, security and social
stability. At the same time, they represent not only an important
element
for the development of our society, but a test for the promotion of
tolerance and dialogue in a modern State based on the rule of law,
without
threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State they
live in.
In view of the importance of this issue, the FR of Yugoslavia has
started
the process of ratifying the European Framework Convention for the
Protection of Minorities, it has established a separate Federal Ministry
dealing with fundamental problems of improving the status of minorities
and
it is preparing a draft law on minority rights to be adopted soon. We
are
convinced that with a modern and fresh approach, while not forgetting
our
baggage of the past, we shall be able to build a civic society. Madam
President, The promotion and protection of human rights and the struggle
against
racism and racial discrimination have for years been in the focus of UN
activities. We cannot be satisfied with the results achieved so far,
because despite the two World Conferences, the three Decades proclaimed,
the successful work of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, the efforts made at national and regional levels, the
problems of racism and discrimination are unfortunately still very much
in
evidence.
Racism and racial discrimination have always represented a violation of
fundamental human rights embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. They have been and still are the most common causes of human
rights
violations, and of internal and international conflicts. Therefore, no
society can possibly tolerate racism even if it is directed at the
smallest
group without threatening, at the same time, the human rights of all.
The Durban World Conference is being held at a time when the
international
community is faced with the proliferation of some new forms of racism.
Inequality, intolerance, bigotry, exclusion of the entire population
groups
from social life, persecution on the basis of national or ethnic origin,
nationality, religion or language are the main causes that stand in the
way
of further democratization and development of friendly and peaceful
relations between States and nations in the contemporary world causing
and
triggering various conflicts.
Therefore we perceive this Conference as an important encouragement to
the
struggle against all forms of racism, modern, old and still existing. If
the results of this Conference are to live up to our expectations, its
Declaration and Program of Action should be forward-looking and
action-oriented. They should include all contemporary forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance, but
also
contain concrete measures for their elimination as soon as possible. In
line with the past practice, these documents should reflect the broadest
possible consensus of the international community on the above issues.
The
delegation of the FR of Yugoslavia expects that all issues on the
Conference agenda will be discussed in a spirit of tolerance and that
all
of us shall seek to avoid unnecessary politicization that might bring
its
results in question.
We share the views presented in other statements that we heard so far,
that
the success of our common and individual struggle in this field implies
the
improvement of national legislation, efficient implementation of
national
policies against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms
of
intolerance, promotion of education on human rights, adequate campaigns
to
raise the awareness of the need to build a society based on
non-discrimination and tolerance, as well as the strengthening of
international cooperation in this field.
In conclusion, Madam President, I would like to reiterate the readiness
of
my delegation to make a constructive contribution to the success of the
World Conference and to the adoption of the Declaration and the Program
of
Action which would pave the way for true elimination of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance, representing
one
of the major obstacles to the democratization and integration trends in
a
global world.
Thank you.
Serbian News Network - SNN
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