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South African Millennium Statement on
Racism and Programme of Action
Preamble
Whereas President TM Mbeki in his State of the Nation
Address on the occasion of the official opening of parliament on 4 February 2000, called
for a National Conference on Racism and requested the South African Human Rights
Commission to convene such an event;
Whereas the South African Human Rights Commission
convened a National Steering Committee which included the Commission on Gender Equality,
South African Non-Governmental Organisational Coalition (SANGOCO) and government
representatives to guide it in the organisation of the National Conference;
Whereas the National Steering Committee adopted
certain principles which would guide the conduct of the National Conference on Racism:
that it would be truly national and representative of all sectors of South African
society; it would be fully participatory and interactive in order to ensure that
the views, experiences and visions of ordinary South Africans were heard. To this end
comprehensive provincial public consultations and public meetings were undertaken and
nation-wide public submissions and contributions solicited to inform the National
Conference. Further, the National Conference would be outcomes-oriented in order to
commit all South Africans to a common programme of action to combat racism;
Whereas it was resolved that the objectives of the
National Conference on Racism were to promote understanding of the nature, meaning and
manifestations of racism in South African society, devise a common programme for the
elimination of all forms of racism and make preparations for the United Nations 3rd
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
due to be held in South Africa in August / September 2001;
Whereas the United Nations General Assembly has
declared the year 2000 to be the International Year for the Culture of Peace and 2001 the
International Year of Mobilisation against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance and also proclaimed 1993-2003 the 3rd Decade to Combat
Racism and Racial Discrimination.
Whereas South Africa is guided by the Constitution
which asserts the values of "human dignity, the achievement of equality and the
advancement of human rights and freedoms" as among the highest aspirations of
national life;
Whereas those values are more fully elaborated upon
and protected in a justifiable Bill of Rights and enacted in legislation, principally
among which are the Employment Equity Act, 1998 and the Promotion of Equality
and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000. Sections of the latter law came
into effect on 1 September 2000 during the course of the National Conference on Racism;
Whereas South Africa developed a National Action
Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights which was duly deposited with the
United Nations on 10 December 1998 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that a National Consultative Forum on Human
Rights has now been established; that the National Action Plan recognises that racism is a
major problem that prevents the full enjoyment of human rights, especially economic and
social rights and affects the development of a culture of human rights in South Africa;
Whereas South Africa is a proud member of the
community of nations and shares the universal abhorrence of racism as stated in
international instruments such as the International Bill of Human Rights, the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the
Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which it is party, and endorses the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action (1993), the Grand Bay (Mauritius) Declaration and Plan
of Action adopted by the 1st OAU Ministerial Conference on Human Rights (April
1999) and other statements and resolutions of the United Nations, the Organisation of
African Unity and the Southern African Development Community (SADC);
Noting that reports of racial violence and
persistent forms of racial discrimination continue to concern all honourable and
decent-minded South Africans; that some institutions of national life do not yet fully
promote the development of effective non-racialism and that structural systems do not
sufficiently reflect and honour the diversity of cultures, social systems, values and ways
of life as recognised in our Constitution;
Noting also that persistent forms of racial
discrimination, particularly manifested in economic and social disparities created by
colonialism and apartheid and perpetuated by negative aspects of globalisation, continue
to undermine the realisation of a truly non-racial society;
Noting further that national efforts at
reconciliation, nation-building, social development and economic prosperity as embodied in
the spirit of the African Renaissance will never succeed in an environment where racism
thrives; and that negative aspects of globalisation enhance the economic disparities
amongst people and nations;
Noting finally that the task of eliminating racism
is a national responsibility which must engage all sectors of society in a common effort
and national resolve to combat racism and build a society that affirms and respects the
dignity of all South Africans regardless of their colour, culture, religion, language,
ethnicity or social origin.
The National Conference on Racism accordingly adopts the
following statement:
I – INTRODUCTION
The 1st National Conference on
Racism was held at Sandton, Gauteng on 30 August – 2 September 2000 under the slogan,
COMBATING RACISM: A Nation in Dialogue.
Over 1000 South Africans representing
diverse groups from civil society, racial, linguistic and cultural groups, social and
political structures of society, government at all levels and from across the length and
breadth of our country, independent national institutions, statutory bodies and public
enterprise institutions gathered at conference during four days of deliberations on
racism. About 20 observers from Australia, Brazil, the United States of America and from
Nigeria, as well as observers from international NGOs based in Europe attended the
conference. In the light of the forthcoming United Nations World Conference against
Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance to be held in
South Africa in 2001, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva was
also represented.
The Conference was officially opened by His
Excellency President TM Mbeki who noted the need to address the white fears and black
expectations that have surfaced in the wake of the democratic changes ushered in 1994. He
expressed confidence that, as a basis for national dialogue, South Africans had the
wisdom, ingenuity and sensitivity to the human condition to overcome racism. Among the
keynote speakers was Prof Jakes Gerwel, Prof Patricia J Williams of the USA and Ms Nozipho
January-Bardill, who is a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination.
Three themes were adopted: The History,
Nature and Sources of Racism; The Consequences, Impact and Contemporary Forms of Racism;
and Strategies to Combat Racism: The Way Forward. Each theme was elaborated into
sub-themes and working groups discussed and debated the sub-themes. The outcome of the
sub-themes in the working groups has been consolidated into a report on the themes and has
been presented to the Conference.
The mood of the conference throughout was
engaging. Participants undertook the tasks of the conference with determination and
singular resolve. Discussions were frank and honest, sometimes there was anger and passion
but the spirit of the conference was sustained throughout. The spirit of listening, of
sensitivity and tolerance, of differing views and opinions about the interpretation of
history, about the understanding and experiences of racism, about action strategies to
eliminate racism and about a vision for the future, prevailed throughout. The character of
the conference was one of dialogue, as the slogan directed. Critical to any strategy for
dealing with racism, it was widely agreed, was the need to acknowledge the damage done by apartheid,
to recognise the effects of that past on contemporary social arrangements and the reality
of ongoing racism, direct and indirect, formal and informal, structural or instititional,
in South African society.
II - PRINCIPLES
Conference affirms that the practice of
racism is both anti-human and constitutes a gross violation of human rights. Racism
mutates and re-invents itself according to the prevailing social and historical
circumstances. It manifests itself in complex ways, affecting the psychological, social
and cultural spheres of life.
Conference affirms that all who live here as
citizens are, in equal measure, South Africans, with equal responsibility to give content
and expression to the founding principles of nationhood as contained in our Constitution.
Conference therefore resolves that the task before us is to give effect to the principles
and values enshrined in our founding documents and reflected in our history and in the
progress towards a just, democratic and equal society.
Conference is committed to support all
efforts to eliminate racism and gender-related discrimination in our society. Conference
believes that racism often manifests itself in the discrimination against women so
prevalent in South African society.
Conference recognises that the establishment
of a society free of racism will contribute to the eradication of poverty and the
promotion of sustainable human development.
Conference acknowledges that economic
policies of the past have served to marginalise rural people and their communities and
have thus created a reservoir of poverty which has become a contemporary manifestation of
racism.
Conference recognises the social exclusion
and discrimination experienced by people with disabilities. This is to be found in social
support systems, institutionally-based care and education facilities. Furthermore, this
exclusion is often compounded by racism. Racism continues to manifest itself amongst
disabled people due to past apartheid policies.
Conference believes that xenophobia may, in
certain circumstances, be a manifestation of racism.
Conference recognises that with the advent
of the new democracy South Africa has had to assume its responsibilities among the
community of nations. Among these is the duty and responsibility to provide sanctuary for
and express solidarity with the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. Their presence in
our country has led to unacceptable levels of xenophobia and intolerance in our
communities. Public institutions have a duty to ensure that xenophobia is not tolerated in
the implementation of policies, particularly those relating to immigration and crime
prevention.
Conference endorses the need for affirmative
action and corrective measures to promote the achievement of substantive equality and to
address the continuing effects of past discrimination and disadvantage.
Conference accordingly affirms that the
foundation of a society free of racism is the practice of tolerance as a virtue which may
be adopted as a way of life as set out in the UNESCO Declaration of Principles on
Tolerance (1995). Tolerance, according to the Declaration, is born out of respect of
difference and is not threatened by cultural or any other diversity and upholds human
rights, democracy and the rule of law as the birthright of all humanity. Tolerance implies
accepting that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech,
behaviour, and values are, nonetheless, equal in dignity and worth.
Conference therefore adopts the following Programme of
Action:
III – PROGRAMME OF ACTION
That government and parliament are hereby
petitioned to declare the period 2001-2010 as the Decade for National Mobilisation against
Racism;
That 16 December 2000, National Day of
Reconciliation, be devoted to activities to promote reconciliation among all the people of
South Africa.
That SANGOCO and other agents of civil
society are urged to establish and spearhead a national antiracism forum which will
develop into a movement against racism at all levels of society;
That during this International Decade for
Human Rights Education (1995-2004), anti-racism education and training be provided in all
educational institutions, especially at primary and secondary school levels; that
anti-racism training be made available to public service officials and other service
providers, such as professionals, business, hospitality as well as leisure and
entertainment industries, who interact with the public in the course of their duties;
That government should speedily address the
question of provision of reparations for victims of racism as recommended by the TRC
Report (1998). The issue, however, should be considered holistically taking account of
appropriate intervention measures to redress the effects of apartheid.
That policies and measures aimed at reducing
the disparities in wealth, including land and tenure reform, access to capital, skills and
training, be implemented;
That, at international level, the question
of compensation for the nations and peoples who have suffered as a result of slavery,
imperialism and colonialism over many centuries, be considered. This matter, however,
should be considered together with the need to make adjustments to the world economic
order and to address the problem of extreme poverty, particularly in Africa.
That inasmuch as the twin evils of racism
and patriarchy define social inequality in South Africa on the basis of race and gender,
and where the unevenly distributed power relations have resulted in violence against women
and children, it is imperative that any strategy against racism must seek to address
gender inequality with the same vigour.
That the programme of "National
Dialogue to Combat Racism" which characterised this National Conference be extended
and intensified so as to engage all sectors of society.
That government should take immediate steps
to ratify outstanding international rights instruments like the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Protection of
the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families, the Protocol to the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and
People’s Rights as well as the Statute of Rome on the International Criminal Court.
That measures be adopted which would restore
and enhance the usage and recognition of diverse cultures, languages and religious extant
in our country and that steps to establish the Commission for the Promotion and Protection
of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities, be speeded up.
That research be undertaken to find ways of
effectively promoting and deepening respect for traditional lore and cultures of all the
people of our country with a view to ensuring and understanding for their search for
identity, respect for their cultures and values so that a common nationhood may be forged
out of difference and diversity.
That transformation in the administration of
justice system be accelerated to as to ensure better representivity in the police, the
prosecutorial service and the judiciary so that they may better reflect the diversity of
cultures and world-views represented in our society, ensure rule by consent, engender
popular participation in the justice system and implement measures to provide support for
victims of crimes motivated by racism.
That with the promulgation of the Promotion
of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 the criminal justice
system be equipped to enforce provisions to prevent and punish racist offences and that
officials in the justice system be trained in race sensitivity and racism awareness.
That appropriate social assistance for
asylum-seekers and refugees be considered in cooperation with NGOs which would help with
their integration into South African society and increase their contribution in skills and
expertise towards national development. Conference calls for the development of closer
cooperation between government and the National Consortium on Refugee Affairs and the
UNHCR in order to coordinate and improve service to asylum seekers and refugees.
IV
To give effect to the above measures,
Conference recommends that the South African Human Rights Commission should develop and
adopt a comprehensive national action plan and strategy to combat racism. Such a plan
should include, amongst other things, indicators of success, timeframes and
responsibilities, and effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
All South Africans are urged to give maximum
support to the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia
and Related Intolerance to be held in South Africa in 2001, to be involved in all
preparatory activities and participate fully in all events to mark this international
endeavour.
Postamble
As a nation we stand at the threshold of the African
Century. This century beckons us towards exciting new possibilities. Outstanding
achievements lie in wait for our nation and our Continent. We believe that during this era
of the African Renaissance much rests on our shoulders to create a better tomorrow for
ourselves and for future generations. Racism negates our collective aspirations and is a
counterforce to our common vision.
As a nation we can do no better than pledge our allegiance
in the words of the motto on our national coat of arms: !KE E !XARRA !!KE.
This ancient wisdom from one of the aboriginal communities of our land will inspire and
guide us like a lodestar that illumines our path. The pledge we make today is that no
South African shall ever again be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content
and quality of their character.
Sandton, Gauteng,
2 September 2000
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