IIMSAM Mid-East Office Commemorated International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Online, March 20, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Observing the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said "firm rejection of the racist ideology is an imperative for all of us. Equality, justice and respect for the human rights of all are common threads in our societies that reinforce the fight against racism. They are a central part of our commitment to each other. It is not just a matter for institutional action". He further added "we must remain united in the fight against racism and win. We are damaging our future and denying our common values if we allow the racists to create an agenda in which their actions are acceptable".

The Goodwill Ambassador said "IIMSAM strongly condemns all forms of intolerance, racism, racial and other types of discrimination. IIMSAM continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the international human rights standards underpinning the fight against racism and calls on all states which have not yet signed, ratified or implemented the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination to act accordingly". Speaking on aftermath of such discrimination Dr. Homoud said "racial discrimination not only hurts its victims. It is also damaging to the society which harbors it. A society which ignores, tolerates, encourages or practices discrimination, on racial or any other grounds, is dysfunctional and riddled with risks".

The Goodwill Ambassador reaffirmed that the United Nations remains at the heart of efforts to address the plight of migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, people of African descent and other victims. Such efforts pay particular attention to education, in order to inculcate the values of equality, tolerance, diversity and respect for human rights in all members of society. For this process to be successful, however, both governments and civil society need to take ownership of it. Governments should provide clear policy direction by adopting broad national action plans against racism. This should be complemented by the efforts of civil society to build inclusive societies, in which diversity is seen as an asset and not a threat.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Homoud urged termed racism as a global dilemma. He further asserted that racial discrimination denies its victims the most fundamental of all human rights - the right to equality. "Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are insidious, corrosive and sometimes explosive forces that devastate the lives of many individuals and, if left to fester, can undermine societies as a whole. They present a threat to security and often feature among the root causes of violent conflict" said Dr. Homoud. He further said in times of economic crisis, the dangers of increasing racism and xenophobia, fuelled in part by rising unemployment, insecurity about the future and a growing number of populist political discourses are very real and in this context "states must be ready to control this menace which pose serious threat for accomplishment of United Nations Millennium Development Goals"' Dr. Homoud added.