International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

TODAY, Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing United Nations Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
This observance has its origin in the infamous March, 21 1960 incident at Sharpeville, South Africa, where white police, indiscriminately fired into a crowd of black demonstrators killing 69 people who were protesting against the repressive ‘’Pass Laws”. This well documented incident drew international condemnation.

Many of the dead were located days after in the surrounding bush, because of the vultures that circled overhead, as some of the wounded fled there, seeking refuge.
In 1966, as a means of calling the international community’s attention to the scourge of racism, as well as increasing its efforts towards the elimination of racial discrimination, March 21 has since been proclaimed a United Nations Day of observance.
This important signpost was further advanced in 1983, when all states and organisations were encouraged to be part of initiatives to combat racism and racial discrimination. Further impetus was given in 2001, when a World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was convened.

Background of dangerous populism
It is no mere co-incidence, that this year’s observance being held under the theme, “Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination’’, seeks to promote the universality of man, and his oneness, despite the differences in diversity. And this call is taking place against the background of a world, where the portents of racism and racial discord have become a dangerous appendage to the rise of populism.
Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of race or any other kind. Yet racism, xenophobia and intolerance are problems prevalent in all societies, and discriminatory practices are widespread, particularly targeting migrants and refugees as well as people of African descent.

Examples of extreme racism and genocide
There is no doubt that the resultant mass slaughter in Rwanda that resulted in the genocide of 800,000 Hutus, sought to remind the international community of the extremes of intolerance. More significant, also, was the fact that the brutal system of Apartheid, the worst example of institutionalised racism, known in the 20th century, held lessons of the inhumane treatment of fellow humans, and their condemnation to a daily existence, outside of the pale of human decency.
How could the evils of the Hitlerite racist ideology of a superior German race, that slaughtered a recorded six million Jews, be forgotten?
It is sad that none of these examples of visceral hatred because of race have resulted in realisation of the evils and perils of racism.

Rise of far-right leaders
In fact, there are many examples of the rise of far-right leaders, using this ideology effectively to whip up sentiment and support for an anti-immigration agenda from among supporters; but one that is definite and unmistakably inclusive, in promoting racism against minorities, xenophobia, and an anti-Muslim agenda.
Examples of these have seen the rise of Donald Trump of the United States, his executive orders that have targeted Muslims, and the plan to build a wall along the United States–Mexico border; Marine Le Pen, of the far right National Front party in France that made it into the second round of the last French presidential elections; the rise of the Alternative for Germany party, that have gained a few seats in the German Bundestag; Geert Wilders who is anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim in the Netherlands, and the new government in Austria, which comprises far right, and pro-Europe political parties.
Global racism and proliferation of hate groups
In fact, there is evidence that racism exists in other regions of the world, including the Middle East, Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. There is even the rise of Neo Nazism, in Germany and Austria, and the United States of America as explicitly portrayed in the shocking protest at Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
Concomitant with the proliferation of racism and racial discrimination, has been the rise of hate groups, which according to the authoritative Southern Poverty Law Centre, has increased by four percent to 954, between 2016 to 2017 in the United States. There are similar groups throughout Europe.

Guyana’s challenge
In Guyana, despite the relative tranquility and peace, there are challenges with both racism and racial discrimination, that have bedevilled the national social-economic-political landscape, particularly from the early 1960s. Our modern history has evidenced periodic episodes of national ethnic tension, but without the communal clashes, that had marked the earlier period, 1962-1964.

Social cohesion, the ERC
In Guyana, there is a constitutional body, the Ethnic Relations Commission(ERC), comprising members from the components of civil, religious, and cultural groups, that came into being by way of Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000.
As the name implies, this key body is mandated with 24 functions that are designed to promote racial understanding and harmony among Guyana’s diverse cultural and ethnic groups. After a hiatus of three years, this important constitutional organisation was resuscitated for the seminal mandate of furthering unity among Guyana’s peoples.
Additionally, there is also a Ministry of Social Cohesion which is tasked with encouraging and promoting a cohesive society. This is accepted as an urgent necessity if Guyana is to fulfil its true socio-economic potential, with the ethnic groups being able to participate and share equally in the country’s economic wealth, while living in peace, and without fear of each other.

Racism discredited
It must be recognised that racism, which promotes the belief that characteristics and abilities are attributed on the basis of race, with some racial groups being perceived as superior to others, is a social construct that has long been proven false and totally discredited. Yet, it is unfortunate that many leaders would resort to its dangerous use as a weapon to encourage fear or hatred of others in times of conflict, elections, war and during economic downturns.

Education as a tool for combating racism, and supportive laws
Perhaps a most effective tool in beginning to combat this great threat to international peace and stability is that of education that should begin from the young; for it is easy to influence the young mind, which is more amenable to be receptive to new ideas. But the battle must also be supported, and advanced, by laws, since the latter reflects societal values, while at the same time setting the standards for acceptable behaviour. Any society that disavows racism ought to have laws that support such intent, since every person is entitled to human rights without discrimination. The rights to equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of human rights law.

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