|
UUA at UN World Conference on Racial Discrimination UU United Nations Office |
||||||
|
UUA at UN World Conference on Racial Discrimination UU United Nations Office |
||||||
Speaker: Rev. Olivia Holmes
Should the U.S. and Canadian governments send delegations to the World Conference Against Racism. The GA delegates certainly think so, judging by the overwhelming vote in favor of Action of Immediate Witness #6 (AIW6) "World Conference against Racism."
The US government has threatened to withdraw from the WCAR if compensation for slavery is on the agenda. At present, this issue is suggested by the word "compensatory" in theme 4 of the provisional agenda at the WCAR portion of the UN web site http://www.un.org/WCAR/ and the South African WCAR NGO Forum site, http://www.racism.org.za/. It appears our government's participation hangs on the inclusion or exclusion of a single word.
Non-government organizations (NGOs) can attend even if the U.S. government withdraws, and both the UUA and the UUSC are planning to send delegations. Rev. Olivia Holmes will lead the UUA delegation.
Holmes discussed some of her particular concerns, especially the plight of the untouchables in India and double discrimination against women. Untouchable women are discriminated against both because of their cast and their gender. The Indian constitution outlaws the cast system, but problems persist, said Holmes. However, the inclusion of a problem that is specific to a single country is politically sensitive. In contrast, a broader and deeper question that should be discussed is: what is the connection between poverty and race?Reported for the Web by Mike McNaughton
General Assembly 2001 · Program Grid
 |
Information Feedback |
