BANGLADESH Pleasecheckagainstdeliveryt Statement by Tareq Md. Ariful Islam Counsellor, Permanent Missionof Bangladesh the UnitedNations to at the General Debate the Third Committee the 62nd of of Session the I-INGA of on 'Elimination of racismand racial discrimination' [Agendaitem 681. New York, 07 November 2007 Mr. Chairman, world today is going throughmajor political,economicand social the transformations, which often unleash new generation discrimination of and injustice. Various new manifestations intolerance of towards vulnerablegroups, ethnic and religiousminorities,immigrants, refugees and migrantworkersare on the rise. It is unfortunate that in this era of post-modernism global interconnectivity, and racism andracialdiscrimination persist an affrontto humancivilization. still as I thankthe Special Rapporteur his comprehensive for interim reporton contemporary forms of racism,racial discrimination, xenophobia relatedintolerance. share and We the recommendations conclusions and contained his reportand call for their proper in implementation. Mr. Chairman, are deeplyconcemed we aboutthe regression the struggleagainst in racismand racialdiscrimination. This is aftributed the emergence several potent to of andominous trends:the growingpoliticalacceptance democratic and legitimization of racism and xenophobiaby virtue of their use as political, intellectualand media platforms;the increase racismin nationalelites;the resurgence racist violence; of of and the rise in historical revisionism.All these trends pose a grave threat to democracy humanrightsundermining basisfabricof the society. and the The legitimization racismand xenophobia erodingthe very existence distinct of is of valuesof nationalminoritiesand immigrants.This gives rise to identity crisesand brewsracialand religioushatred. Defamation religionis alsoon the rise.Theseare of creatingan ideological divide which, as rightly pointedout in the report,constitute a dangerous slidetowardsa clashof civilizationandreligion.This mustbe arrested. Mr. Chairman,state has a responsibilityto weed out hatred and intolerance and protect its citizens particularly the minorities and vulnerable sections through pationalmeasures. are convinced effective We that 'hatred'can be overcome through 'cultureof peace'. propereducation that inculcates a Theremust not be any impunity for perpetrators hate crimes. Domestic laws must be reinforced and made of compatible with the relevantinternational instruments. National institutionshave to be strengthened implementingthe legal safeguards. for The civil society and the mediamust make significantcontributiontowardsraisingawareness againstracism and establishing religiousand communalharmony.However,without effectiveand

wide rangingcooperation concerted community,fight and effortsof the international racism will remain unmetchallenge. against an prohibitsdiscrimination Mr. Chairman, the Constitution Bangladesh expressly of any of its citizenson grounds race,religion,casteor creed,gender place or against of of birth. It guarantees equality before law, and of opportunityfor all citizensand groups.In accordance provides with affirmativeactionfor particularly disadvantaged wherever our principledposition,we rejectand denounce racismand racist practices and wheneverthey are perpetrated. Also as a party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,Bangladeshremains fully principles to of committed upholdthe sacred andobjectives the Convention. dialogue to We stronglyadvocate importance inter-religious inter-cultural the of and promotereciprocal understanding amongvariousreligions,belief and cultures.We on havefurtherreaffirmed this principlein the recently heldhigh-leveldialogue Interreligiousand Inter-cultural for understanding cooperation peacein New York on and 4 October 2007.This element alsofoundreflection our flagshipdraft resolution has in 'Cultureof Peace' the on this year.We believethis would receive supportof a record numberof member states in the past. as we Mr. Chairman,as a result of our relentless campaign, have now been able to ensure basicfreedoms rightsfor majorityof our peoples. new formsof racism But and and intolerance threatento undermineour achievements. It is unfortunatethat immigrants and asylum-seekers often face severe discrimination.We urge uponthe international communityto protectthe rights of the migrantworkers.Their cultural and religiousspecificities must be respected. Their identitiesand ability to enrich mustbe recosnized. nationalcultures We mustrenewour commitment the full implementation the DurbanDeclaration of to the effortsto assess progress and Programme Action. We needto launchconcerted of made so far, as well as identiff the challenges and obstacles that remain.In this we connection, welcomethe initiative of the Human Rights Council to study the gapsin the existing international to substantive instruments combatracismand find in the ways to bridgethe gaps.We look forwardto the DurbanReview Conference 2009. We urge uponthe memberstates stepforwardin expression political goodwill to of without which eliminationof racismwould remainever elusive.We must live up to our obligationto reaffirrnour commitment fosterrespect, to equalityand diversityin our respective societies. My delegationreaffirmsour unequivocalsupportfor the effortsof the UnitedNationsand intemational communitytowardsthe eliminationof and We all formsof racismand racial discrimination. ferventlyhopethat the genuine will extricate world from this scourge. the collectiveeffort of everyone I thankyou Mr. Chairman.
**d.****{.**{.+*