[WCAR] Amnesty International statements at Commission on Human Rights

* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

28 March 2002
EUR 01/005/2002
51/02


Chairperson,

        The International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination is a fitting opportunity for taking stock of the
achievements of the World Conference against Racism.  Amnesty
International is pleased that at the Conference many important
issues were put on the international agenda as never before, and
that the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme
of Action has started. These documents recognize the damage
caused by past expressions of racism, reflect a new global
awareness of modern forms of racism, and indicate ways for
carrying forward the fight against racism.

        Amnesty international participated actively in the World
Conference, highlighting in particular the impact of racism on
the administration of justice. We made specific recommendations
for eliminating racism from the functioning of law enforcement
and custodial agencies, the judiciary and asylum determination
systems.

Chairperson,

        Amnesty International welcomes the fact that some of its
concerns were reflected in the Declaration and Programme of
Action. We welcome in particular the recognition by the World
Conference that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance persist in the functioning of the penal
system and in the application of the law, as well as in the
actions and attitudes of institutions and individuals responsible
for law enforcement. We are also pleased to note the recognition
of the importance of fair trail proceedings, of the full
implementation of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of
Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and of training for law
enforcement and immigration officials.

        Amnesty international also welcomes the establishment of
the Anti-Discrimination Unit in the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights. We wish to take this opportunity
to pay tribute to High Commissioner Mary Robinson for her
commitment to the fight against racism, and hope that the
newly-established Unit will be provided with the necessary
resources.

        While these are all important achievements, Amnesty
International wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to
those issues that were left unresolved by the World Conference,
because of disagreements and lack of time.

Chairperson,

        Amnesty International wishes to highlight three main
areas of concern that governments should address as a matter of
urgency: the impact of racism on the imposition of the death
penalty, the plight of the Dalits, and the overlap between racism
and sexual orientation.

        First, in countries where the death penalty is still
imposed, we call on governments to investigate any
disproportionate impact of such penalty on racial, ethnic or
national groups, and declare a moratorium on executions pending
such investigations. We also call on countries not to hand over
prisoners to jurisdictions which may impose the death sentence,
including in a discriminatory manner. From the United States to
Saudi Arabia to China, hundreds are facing death in proceedings
corrupted by discrimination.

        Second, we call on governments to recognize the plight of
the Dalits, as victims of discrimination based on work and
descent. Discrimination against them, specifically in southern
Asia, often results in extreme poverty and marginalization. It
also manifests itself in harassment, arbitrary arrests and
torture ? including rape ? with the active participation or
collusion of law enforcement officials.

        Third, we call on governments to recognize and take
action against multiple forms of discrimination, specifically
those affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons.
The abuses they suffer are a worldwide problem, but one which
provokes little outrage. It is time to overcome the prejudices
surrounding these persons and protect them from abuses, including
those deriving from discrimination on grounds of racial and
ethnic origin and sexual orientation.

Chairperson,

        Amnesty International looks forward to this Commission
building on the platform of the World Conference against Racism
to ensure stronger and wider protection for all people, without
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference of any kind.

        Thank you.

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