The World Conference on Race

The World Conference is currently being held in Durban, South Africa from August 31 to September 7, 2001. The Conference has several major issues to address. These include: discrimination by reason of caste, discrimination in the determination of nationality and citizenship rights, the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, discrimination in criminal justice, and reparations for slavery and segregation. The primary purpose of the conference is to eliminate racism.

Discrimination by reason of caste is about discrimination in Africa and Asia. Despite law enforcement discrimination remains widespread. Societal norms have continuing reinforcement by a variety of governmental structures including police, lower courts, and municipal authorities. Recognition of the caste system requires caste-based discrimination to bar millions from exercising their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, which create international programs who support the abolition of caste discrimination and expose abuse.

Discrimination in the determination of nationality and citizenship rights refers to the millions who get stripped of citizenship because of their race, national descent, or gender. Many countries deny citizenship to individuals born in certain countries because certain countries don't permit women the ability to transmit nationality to their children. These children in turn receive few rights, if any.

The rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers entail how these groups of people receive constant discrimination, and racist attacks, which creates displacement. Many countries reject giving rights to migrants and impose strict laws on migrants and pay virtually no attention to them. Generous host countries have become overwhelmed with their own problems. These countries can't deal with additional migrants because migrants generate even more problems and so, even the most generous countries feel less accepting of migrants. Countries increasingly reject migrants today.

Discrimination in criminal justice pertains to the potential discriminatory effect. From any level, discrimination arises from practices with racist intent. Some police misuse their authority by racial profiling - labeling someone as a criminal based on their race. By looking at statistics of certain instances, unjustified racism becomes evident. Race definitely plays a role in just treatment of individuals.

Reparations for slavery and segregation refer to those people who should receive reparations (compensation) from government. International panels will get called upon to report past abuse and to counter their current effect. These panels will reveal any government's past racist practices to show their effect in today's world. Reparations will first focus on those who suffer the most right now. A major purpose of reparations is to put those disadvantaged socially and economically back up to speed with everyone else: to make a more balanced society.

The conference provides members the opportunity to discuss problems and explore ideas and solutions within five major topics of discussion. Even though the major purpose of the conference is eliminating racism, racism will still exist today because of extremists and others who simply like to hate. The elimination of racism by government or individuals is merely an ideal. Racism will always exist in any society.

Source: http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/race/