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Archbishop Renato R. Martino, Monday, 28 January 2002
Mr Chairman, No one can deny that, today, the family of nations needs a concerted programme of action to address Racism. We need to explore new ways to foster, for the future, the harmonious coexistence and interaction of individuals and peoples, in full respect of each other's dignity, identity, history and tradition. We need a culture, to use the words of Pope John Paul II, "in which we recognize, in every man and woman, a brother and a sister with whom we can together walk the path of solidarity and peace". (Angelus, 26 August 2001). Our world needs to be reminded that humanity exists as a single human family, within which the concept of racial superiority has no place. The Holy See worked together with the Delegations of so many countries to ensure that the "World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance" would produce the blueprint for such a programme. Particular thanks are due to the Government of South Africa that hosted and guided the Conference. The preparation of the Conference proved, however, more difficult than was imagined. Certain moments of the preparatory process were tense, certain expressions used were unfortunately inappropriate for a Conference that was to foster tolerance. This is to be regretted. The final results are the fruit of compromise, which may leave many unsatisfied. It must be asked, therefore, why did the family of nations find it so difficult to address the question of racism? Why was it so difficult to address a complex of contemporary issues, which we all recognize as posing a threat to the maintenance of harmonious international relations? Why was it so difficult to address what we all recognize constitutes a clear offence against the fundamental dignity of persons, men and women, our brothers and sisters, created in the image of God? These are questions that the family of nations must legitimately pose, because they say something about the state of international relations. All this, Mr Chairman, must bring us back to what I said in my opening words: the family of nations needs a concerted programme of action to address the question of racism. It needs such a programme urgently and today. The task of launching this programme cannot be put off. We must begin now. Perhaps, in our reflection on the Durban Conference, we should begin by asking another question: can the world do without the constructive contributions, the fruit in so many cases of our common endeavor, which are gathered together in the final documents of the Durban Conference? Can we leave them aside and leave addressing the question of racism and racial discrimination for another day? The answer must be a clear no. The fight against racism is urgent. It must be explicit and direct. Too often in history, uncritical societies have stood by inactive as new signs of racism raised their head. If we are not alert, hatred and racial intolerance can reappear in any society, no matter how advanced it may consider itself. My Delegation therefore urges all nations to take up without delay, individually and in collaboration with other States and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a clear programme to fight racism, using the many positive elements of the Durban documents. Such a programme must begin at the level of national legislation and practice. The World Conference urged all States to ensure that "their legislation expressly and specifically prohibit racial discrimination and provide effective judicial remedies and redress" (Programme of Action, n.163). Such legislation must address in particular the situation of refugees and migrants, who are often victims of discrimination. It must address the situation of indigenous peoples. It must address minority groupings. Legislation must be accompanied by education. Education on racial tolerance must be a normal part of the educational programmes for children at all levels. The family, the basic social unit of society, must be the first school of openness and acceptance of others. Government agencies may never justify racial profiling and the mass media must be alert to avoid any type of stereotyping of persons on a racial basis. In particular, the Holy See would like to address the question of racism and religious intolerance, which is taken up on different occasions in the Durban documents. The Durban Declaration requests that measures be taken to ensure that members of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities should not be denied the right to practice their religion. It recognized with deep concern "the emergence of hostile acts and violence against [certain] communities because of their religious beliefs and their racial and ethnic origin in various parts of the world that in particular limit their right to freely practice their belief'(n.59). True religious belief is absolutely incompatible with racist attitude and racist practices. Pope John Paul II, before the Durban Conference, made an appeal in this sense to all believers, noting that we cannot truly call on God, the father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly way any person, created in God's image. Through their common belief in the dignity of every individual and in the unity of the human family, believers of all faiths can indeed bring strong leadership in fostering understanding and reconciliation among peoples. In a world in which religion is often exploited as a means to deepen existing political, social or economic divisions, it is encouraging to note the growing number of initiatives, both at the local and on the international level, of dialogue among religions. Interreligious dialogue, today more than ever, is a vital element in fostering peace and understanding and in overcoming historical divisions and misunderstandings. Such dialogue can and should be a strong contribution to the fight against racism. The Durban Declaration (n.8) recalls that religion, spirituality and belief play a central role in the lives of men and women and in the way they live and treat other persons. It stresses how religion contributes "to the promotion of the inherent dignity and worth of the human person and to the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance". Religion, above all, can be a strong force for that individual and collective conversion of hearts, without which hatred, intolerance and exclusion will never be eliminated. The fight against racism requires a concerted international programme. But the fight against racism begins in the heart of each of us, and in the collective historical memory of our communities. The fight against racism requires a personal change of heart. It requires that "healing of memories", that forgiveness for which Pope John Paul II called in his last Message for the World Day of Peace, when he said: "No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness: I shall not tire of repeating this warning to those who, for one reason or another, nourish feelings of hatred, a desire for revenge or the will to destroy". We cannot go away from this Resumed Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Chairman, without giving new vigor to the fight against racism. We owe it to the victims of racism, we owe it to our people, and we owe it to humanity. *The Holy See at the United Nations, 2002, New York, Pro Manuscripto, 2002 p.8-10. L’Osservatore Romano, 2.2.2002 p.2. L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly Edition in English n.8 pp. 9,10. ___________________________________________________________________________
Point 117 de l’ordre du jour : Élimination du racisme et de la discrimination raciale**
8. L'Archevêque Martino (Observateur permanent du Saint-Siège) estime que nul ne peut nier que la communauté des nations a besoin d'un programme d'action concerté pour faire face au problème du racisme. Il faut trouver de nouveaux moyens d'encourager la coexistence et l'interaction harmonieuses des individus et des peuples et de forger une culture dans laquelle, comme l'a dit le Pape Jean-Paul II le 26 août 2001, «on peut reconnaître, dans chaque homme et dans chaque femme, une sœur et un frère prêts à cheminer ensemble sur la voie de la solidarité et de la paix». 9. Le Saint-Siège, qui a travaillé avec les délégations d'un grand nombre de pays dans le cadre de la Conférence mondiale contre le racisme, la discrimination raciale, la xénophobie et l'intolérance qui y est associée, remercie le Gouvernement sud-africain des efforts qu'il a déployés en tant que pays hôte de la Conférence. Au cours de cette réunion, il est apparu à l'évidence combien il est difficile d'aborder un problème qui est une atteinte à la dignité même de la personne humaine. C'est pourquoi il est de la plus haute importance d'établir un programme d'action pour lutter contre le racisme. Le Saint-Siège demande instamment à toutes les nations de s'attacher sans retard, individuellement et en collaboration avec d'autres États et le Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme, à établir un programme de lutte précis contre le racisme, en utilisant les nombreux éléments positifs des documents issus de la Conférence mondiale. Les mesures prévues dans un tel programme doivent se refléter en premier lieu dans la législation et la pratique au niveau national. Il faudrait s'intéresser en particulier à la situation des réfugiés, des migrants, des populations autochtones et des groupes minoritaires. En outre, la législation doit s'accompagner d'un effort d'éducation. L'éducation à la tolérance raciale doit figurer dans les programmes d'enseignement à tous les nivaux. L'acceptation des autres doit être apprise avant tout dans la famille; les organismes gouvernementaux ne doivent jamais avaliser des stéréotypes raciaux et que les médias doivent éviter d'encourager ces tendances. Le Saint-Siège est profondément préoccupé par les problèmes du racisme et de l'intolérance religieuse, qui sont évoqués dans les documents de Durban. Il faut garantir la liberté de culte aux membres des minorités religieuses, linguistiques ou ethniques. 10. Dans un monde où la religion est souvent exploitée pour accentuer les divisions politiques, sociales ou économiques, il est réconfortant de noter le nombre croissant d'initiatives, aux niveaux local et international, visant à encourager le dialogue entre les religions; ce dialogue pourrait beaucoup contribuer à la lutte contre le racisme. La Déclaration de Durban est importante car, en insistant sur la promotion de la dignité humaine, elle reconnaît le rôle central joué par la religion dans la lutte contre le racisme, la discrimination raciale, la xénophobie et l'intolérance qui y est associée. **A/C.3/56/SR.57 par.8-10. ___________________________________________________________________________
Tema 117 del programa: Eliminación del racismo y la discriminación racial***
8. El Arzobispo Martino (Observador Permanente de la Santa Sede) dice que nadie puede negar que la familia de naciones necesita un programa concertado de acción para abordar el problema del racismo. Es preciso encontrar nuevas formas de fomentar la coexistencia e interacción armoniosas de las personas y los pueblos, y forjar una cultura en la que, como dijo el Papa Juan Pablo II el 26 de agosto de 2001, «podamos reconocer, en cada hombre y cada mujer, un hermano y una hermana con quien podamos caminar juntos por el camino de la solidaridad y la paz». 9. La Santa Sede, que trabajó conjuntamente con las delegaciones de muchos países en el contexto de la Conferencia Mundial contra el Racismo, la Discriminación Racial, la Xenofobia y las Formas Conexas de Intolerancia, agradece en particular el Gobierno de Sudáfrica por la labor que desempeñó como anfitrión de la Conferencia. En el curso de ésta se puso de manifiesto que es muy difícil abordar un problema que constituye una ofensa contra la dignidad fundamental de las personas. Por ello, es sumamente importante establecer con urgencia un programa de acción para luchar contra el racismo. La Santa Sede encarece a todas las naciones que, sin dilación, en forma individual y en colaboración con otros Estados y con la Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, establezcan un programa claro de lucha contra el racismo utilizando los elementos positivos de los documentos resultantes de la Conferencia de Durban. Las medidas previstas en dicho programa de acción deberán reflejarse en primer lugar en la legislación y la práctica a nivel nacional. En especial, deberá considerarse la situación de los refugiados y los migrantes, las poblaciones autóctonas y los grupos minoritarios. Por otra parte, la legislación deberá ir acompañada de medidas de carácter educativo. En los programas de enseñanza de todos los niveles será necesario establecer componentes de educación que promuevan la tolerancia de las diferencias raciales. En ese contexto, la familia debe ser el primer lugar donde se enseñe la aceptación de los otros; los organismos gubernamentales jamás deben justificar la fijación de estereotipos raciales y los medios de comunicación deben evitar promover esa práctica. La Santa Sede está profundamente preocupada por el problema del racismo y de la intolerancia religiosa, cuestión a la que se hace referencia en los documentos de Durban. Es preciso garantizar la libertad de culto a los miembros de las minorías religiosas, lingüísticas o étnicas. 10. Con todo, el orador subraya que en un mundo donde la religión suele ser utilizada como pretexto para profundizar las divisiones políticas, sociales o económicas, en los planos local e internacional, existe un número creciente de iniciativas de diálogo entre las diversas religiones, diálogo que puede contribuir decididamente a la lucha contra el racismo. Resalta la importancia de la Declaración de Durban pues al hacerse referencia a la promoción de la dignidad de la persona humana se reconoce la función fundamental que desempeña la religión en la lucha contra el racismo, la discriminación racial, la xenofobia y las formas conexas de intolerancia. ***A/C.3/56/SR.57 par.8-10.
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