Mr. Chairperson,

The WCAR 2001 will take place in the very same year in which we are called upon to denounce cultures and attitudes postulating a clash of civilizations. We are called upon to advance towards a culture of dialogue among civilisations. The most difficult question facing humanity has not been answered by science and technology. This is the question of « human solidarity and togetherness ». We live in a highly fragmented world in spite of the impression of worldwide unity created by the process of globalization. Human solidarity is the most urgent question that needs to be answered »

The Human Development Report 2000 reminds us that « Every society has known racism, sexism, authoritarianism, and xenophobia, depriving men and women of their dignity and freedom ». No form of racism, overt or hidden, should go unchallenged. This calls for more than just being politically correct in the use of language. In particular, discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, social status, race; geographical locations do provide the institutional basis of poverty. States should endeavour to remove discriminatory practices and manage divisions if poverty has to be reduced or obliterated. We should go beyond tolerance. Pax Romana is concerned about these practices, and in particular about the caste-based discrimination in Asia, which affects approximately 260 million people. The recent census in India illustrates discrimination based on class, as the clauses in the census form indicate. Even the President of India, whose caste did not appear on the form, has criticized this. The enumerators` manual of the of the 2001 census states  scheduled castes (castes referred to as « untouchables») can only be listed among Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. ». This violates 3 Articles of the Indian constitution by denying freedom of conscience, faith and equality. It is illegal to force an Indian citizen belonging to a scheduled cast to embrace only the Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist religions. Scheduled castes and other religions are denied their identity.

Mr. Chairperson

Pax Romana's other concern relates to young people, in particular those belonging to vulnerable groups. Our youth constituency is made up of young people aged between 18-25 years old coming from all continents. We welcome the concern and the encouragement of the High Commissioner on Human Rights regarding youth participation in the WCAR 2001. Mrs. Robinson reminds us that «  children and youth are sometimes not only victims, they are also victimizers. In some societies, they are used by adults as weapons of ethnic and racial wars. They have used and advocated violence, hatred and destruction against religious and ethnic minorities. They have killed and are killed; they have raped and are raped; they have tortured and are tortured. Children who themselves have been victims of racial and ethnic discrimination are easily manipulated when racism is used to motivate revenge. Only a few
Regional preparatory meetings -- Strasbourg (October 2000), Santiago de Chile (December 2000) and Teheran (February 2001) -- reflect these concerns, but rather superficially.
Youth should not be included as objects or mere testimonial presence in the WCAR 2001, but as actors engaged in all activities. Their full and active participation should be real and effective, before during and after the WCAR. This is the best contribution to the empowerment of young people and to their struggle against Racism

Mr. Chairperson,

Pax Romana notes with greatest concern that CERD is not fully accepted among many UN member states. Not only are there a big number of countries -- Paraguay, Kenya, Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, North Korea, Pacific Island States-- that did not sign it yet. Yet others, which did ratify this convention, do not live up to their obligations. Thus, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka did not submit their periodic reports.

Mr. Chairperson

Pax Romana will end this statement with 3 recommendations:

• Firstly, States should create active youth involvement in the struggle against racism at the national, regional and international levels.
• Secondly, and regarding the particular context of the WCAR 2001, young people should be part at every stage of this Conference. Pax Romana wishes that the Draft Declaration be explicit in its Participation Programme and Plan of Action of which youth should be the co-architects.
• Thirdly, Pax Romana urges all UN member states to sign and/or ratify the CERD convention and obey to the obligations contracted.