UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DISCUSSES RACISM,

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001100

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL PREF SMIG PNAT PBTS KPAL KWBG
KIRF, KISL, AORC, UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DISCUSSES RACISM,
SELF-DETERMINATION, AND THE UNHCR REPORT

REF: USUN NEW YORK 1054


1. SUMMARY: From November 3-5, the UN General Assembly Third
Committee formally discussed the elimination of racism and
racial discrimination, the right of peoples to
self-determination, and the report of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees. Speakers from several Islamic
nations noted a trend of "Islamophobia" since the September
11, 2001 attacks, and argued that limitations needed to be
placed on freedom of expression to prevent defamation of
religion. Arab delegations said that Israel's "occupation"
of the West Bank and Gaza violated the Palestinian people's
right to self-determination. The United States and Israel
noted concern regarding the Durban Review Conference's
singling-out of Israel. The UN High Commissioner for
Refugees called for a serious debate regarding the
international response to forced displacements. Delegates
noted the need to close the funding gap between emergency
humanitarian assistance and longer-term development, and
agreed that voluntary resettlement remained the preferable
option for refugees in most situations. END SUMMARY

RACISM, SELF-DETERMINATION
--------------


2. In three formal meetings November 3-4, the UN General
Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee discussed the elimination of
racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance; comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to
the Durban Declaration and Program of Action; and the right
of peoples to self-determination. Speakers included the
Vice-Chair of the Durban Review Conference Preparatory
Committee; the Chair of the Committee for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination; the Special Rapporteur on contemporary
forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance; the Chair of the Working Group on the
use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the
right of peoples to self-determination; representatives of 35
countries and the Palestinian observer; and observers from
the Council of Europe and the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Complete texts of
all U.S. statements can be found at
www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov.


3. The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
said that in recent decades, migrants have become one of the
most vulnerable groups to racist and xenophobic attitudes and
attacks. He said that the number of conflicts breaking out,
particularly since the end of the Cold War, has deepened
ethnic cleavages, mobilizing racially- and ethnically-defined
nationalism worldwide, and noted that human rights played a
key role in conflict-prevention. He also pointed to the link
between racism and poverty. In the question and answer
session following the Special Rapporteur's presentation,
Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Pakistan inquired about his
approach to the link between defamation of religion and
freedom of expression. Without specifically mentioning
defamation of religion, Kuwait and Cuba expressed concern
regarding the link between discrimination and freedom of
expression. The Special Rapporteur responded by noting the
need for a shift from the idea of defamation of religion to
incitement to religious and racial hatred. Libya took the
floor again, arguing that freedom of expression should be
limited in cases of its "misuse" to insult or incite others
to hatred or intolerance.


4. During the general discussion, on behalf of the G-77 and
China, Antigua and Barbuda said that while freedom of speech
was a valuable component of a democratic society, its
exercise should not infringe upon the rights of others.
Further, referring to "attempts to disguise incitement to
racism and hatred under the cloak of freedom of speech," the
delegate called for the establishment of an ad hoc committee
to provide a framework to combat all forms of contemporary
racism, including incitement to racial and religious hatred.
Bangladesh and Iran also expressed concern over the perceived
increase in defamation of religion under the pretext of
freedom of expression, and Egypt said that racial
discrimination against religious groups often took place
under the guise of security. Cuba complained about developed
countries' xenophobic and racist immigration policies which
had "demonized" Islamic groups. Several speakers from Arab
nations shared their perception that discrimination against
Muslims had been increasing since the September 11, 2001
attacks, with some referring to the trend as "Islamophobia."


5. The United States and Israel emphasized concern regarding
the Durban Review Conference's (Durban II) singling-out of


Israel, with the United States noting its disappointment that
Durban II participants would focus on anti-Semitism and
demonizing Israel, and Israel noting its fear that Durban II
would be another venue for "obsessive vilification" of
Israel. The United Kingdom also emphasized that the process
should not be biased, and called for the Conference to
address anti-Semitism and Holocaust remembrance. Several
Arab delegations and the Palestinian observer noted that
Israel's "occupation" of the West Bank and Gaza was violating
the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. Cuba
called for the United States to return the "illegally
usurped" territory of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba. Russia
expressed concern regarding the growth of neo-fascist and
neo-Nazi groups, and said that some European governments were
distorting history and honoring so-called "heroes" who had
actually cooperated with the Nazis. (NOTE: Russia's related
draft resolution on racism passed Committee on November 18 by
a vote of 122-1(U.S.)-54 - septel.) Pakistan said that
India's occupation violated the Kashmiri people's right to
self determination. Georgia accused Russia of engaging in
racial discrimination against Georgians and other ethnic
groups in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Without referring
directly to Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan provided a thorough
analysis of "misinterpretation" of the right to
self-determination, arguing that it applied to peoples, not
minorities within a country.

UNHCR REPORT
--------------


6. In two formal meetings November 4-5, the UNGA Third
Committee discussed the Report of the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR),questions relating to refugees,
returnees and displaced persons, and humanitarian questions.
Speakers included the UNHCR; representatives of 28 countries;
and observers from the International Committee of the Red
Cross, the International Organization for Migration, and the
IFRC. The High Commissioner said that displacement was
increasing due to climate change, extreme poverty, and
conflict. He briefed on the UNHCR's internal reform efforts,
and noted the need for greater financial resources to finance
the UNHCR, which was being asked "to do more and more to
respond to greater and greater demands." He also called for
a "serious and systematic debate" regarding the international
response to the growing scale and complexity of forced
displacement.


7. During the general discussion, many States noted the need
to close the funding gap between the stages of emergency
humanitarian assistance and longer-term development. Many
delegates thanked the countries hosting large refugee
populations, most of which are also developing countries, and
several of the host countries solicited assistance to ease
the infrastructural burden caused by these populations.
Several speakers noted the need for greater safety provisions
for humanitarian aid workers, particularly in situations of
conflict. Most delegates agreed that voluntary resettlement
remained the preferable ultimate solution for refugees in
most situations. (NOTE: The Committee adopted by consensus
a draft resolution on the UNHCR on November 11 - reftel.)
Khalilzad