STATBMENT BY

MR. ADE PETRANTO
COUNSELLOR

BEFORETHE THIRD COMMITTEE OF SIXTY-FIRSTSESSION THE UNITED NATIONSGENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON AGENDAITEM 6s (A), (B) AND 66: ELIMINATION OF RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, IMPLEMENTATION OF AND FOLLOW-UP COMPREHENSIVE TO THE DURBAN DECLARATION AND PROGRAM ACTION TO SELFDETERMINATION AND RIGHT OF PEOPLES

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Thank you Mr. Chairman. My delegation would like to associateitself with the statementof the distinguisheddelegateof South Africa on behalf of the G 77 and China. Indonesia attachesgreat importanceto the discussionof the agendaitem before uS, "Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrirnination" and its deliberation. Before I continue, permit me to acknowledgethe interim report of the forrns of racism,racial discrimination, on SpecialRapporteur contemporary xenophobiaand related intolerance,transmittedby the Secretary-General The report once again pursuant to General Assembly resolution 601144. reminds us of an alarming situation in our efforts to eliminate Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,and of our actionto dealwith thesepractices. to responsibility takeconcrete In this connectionMr. Chairman,my delegationwould highlight, among our attention. level that requires at other,threeelements the international The first of these concernsthe rise of racist violence and the resurgent platformsand on established racistand xenophobic activitiesof associations in charters somepart of the world. of This is achievednot only through the resurgence racist and xenophobic violence, but also and especially, through the legal and democratic applicationof those platforrnsusing political allianceswithin government including the leaders of these parties, now invested with democratic legitimacy and at the heart of power. As a result of thesedevelopments, in threatto democracy many societies the racismindeedconstitutes greatest on all continents. to thereis a needfor MernberStates pay close In the view of my delegation, attentionto the linkagebetweencombatingracism,racial discriminationand xenophobia and the construction of a democratic, interactive and multiculturalsociety. Second,the need for a strategyto combat racism,racial discriminationand xenophobia through education and the adoption of political, economic, interactionand crosssocial and cultural initiatives in order to encourage fertilizationbetweendifferentnationalcommunities.

promotingdialoguethrough educationis For the Governmentof Indonesia, the way to instill in everyonethe principle of respectfor the fundamental identities of other people-racial, ethnic or religious-and thereby promotingand protectingthis right. the error of some people and critics in In recenttimes, we have witnessed Westerncircles who attributeto Islam a propensityfor violence. The only way to liberatethe human mind from theseerrorsis through intensiveand dialogue. extensive To this end, Indonesia has been actively prornoting interfaith and interculturaldialoguein the Asia-Pacificregion and within the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), a deliberatestrategyfor challengingor underminingthe the ideologyof the terroristswhile strengthening voice of moderation. Last "APEC Interculturaland we October,in Yogyakarta,for instanee, hostedthe Trust." to Faith Symposium Strengthen with Norway to host the first 2006,we collaborated Similarly, in September Global Intermedia Dialogue to promote mass media sensitivity to other cultures and faiths without compromisingfreedom of expression. It was attendedby leading mass media practitionersfrom five continents.We believethat only this kind of dialoguecan open the eyesof the media and make its practitionersan ally. The IntermediaDialogue has now become and institutionalized will be held annually. The third element is the need to establishbalancebetween freedom of expressionand religious freedorn. We must examine the existing norms religiousfreedomand non-discrimination, relatingto freedomof expression, of which we stronglybelievethat we needto ensurefaithful observance the and its spirit and letter of the provisionsgoveming freedomof expression ICCPR. especially instruments, in as restriction, contained international that the exerciseof the In relationto such freedom,it must be emphasized It carriesspecialdutiesand responsibilities. rights to freedomof expression (a) may thereforebe subjectto certainrestrictions: respectof the rights or of reputations others;(b) for the protectionof nationalsecurityor of public orderor public healthor morals'

Mr. Chairman, The InternationalConventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial the constitutes Discrimination,which has now been ratified by 170 States, normative basis upon which international efforts to elirninate racial discriminationshould be built. The Committee,basedon this Convention, should increaseits efforts to prevent racially rnotivatedoffencesand hate speech,and ensure that relevant criminal law provisions are effectively by implemented Member States. Concrete action should also be taken to address poverty and as underdevelopment racism also thrives on the frustrationand economic peace and social disparitiesthey create. Indeed,given that development, is the and humandignity are inseparable, stakein this partnership the destiny of the humanraceas a whole. Let me close by reiteratethat a partnershipfor developmentis also a partnershipfor peace, and therefore a partnershipfor the dignity of the to the humanbeing. That being so, it becomes obligationof this Cornmittee advise Member Statesof the central importanceof their political will in effortsto combatracismandxenophobia.

item 66 on the issue on Now I would like to turn into the discussion agenda of self-determination. Mr. Chairman, had whose right of self-determination more than 300 yearsbeen Indonesia, would like to bring particularattentionto in the hand of foreign occupation, the issue of the Palestinianpeople. It is ashamedthat although we are People and debatingthis rights every year,and yet the Palestinian discussing The long suffering cannot fully exercisetheir right of self-determination. to People,which is in no small way attributable situationof the Palestinian stresses racism,shouldfinally be broughtto an end.In this regard,Indonesia the right of Palestinian people to self-determinationleading to the state. Palestinian of establishment the independent I thank you.