SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE TO COMBAT RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (1983)

Declaration

Having met at Geneva from 1 to 12 August 1983 in accordance with General Assembly resolution 37/41, and marking the culmination of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,

Recalling that the Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of the dignity and equality of all human beings and seeks among its basic objectives to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of a political, economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Further recalling that the General Assembly designated the ten-year period beginning on 10 December 1973 as the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,

Recalling also the first World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in 1978 in Geneva,

Reaffirming the goals of the Decade: to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin, especially to resist all policies and practices that contribute to the strengthening of racism, racial discrimination or apartheid; to identify, isolate and dispel the fallacious and mythical belies, policies and practices that contribute to racism, racial discrimination and apartheid; and to counteract the emergence of alliances based on mutual espousal of racism and racial discrimination,

Having reviewed national, regional and international activities undertaken in the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,

Determined to promote the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (1958) of the International Labour Organisation and the Convention Against Discrimination in Education (1960) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,

Endorsing the Programmes of Action Against Apartheid adopted by the International Conference on Sanctions Against South Africa, held in Paris from 20 to 27 May 1981, and the International Conference in Support of the Struggle of the Namibian People for Independence, held in Paris from 25 to 29 April 1983,

Considering that racism and racial discrimination are serious violations of fundamental human rights and that for the full enjoyment of these rights, which are indivisible and interdependent, national and international actions are required to improve the living conditions of men and women of all nations, at the political, economic, social and cultural level,

Noting with the gravest concern that apartheid, which is a crime against humanity, as well as racism and racial discrimination, which are an affront to the conscience and dignity of mankind, continue to afflict the world and pose a serious danger of greater conflict and increased international tension,

Recognizing that the economic and social injustices emanating from racism, racial discrimination and apartheid call for all-out and continuous efforts to eradicate the root causes of these evils,

Affirming the importance of education, teaching and training for the elimination of racism and racial discrimination which, in particular, should expose the myths and erroneous theories inherent in racism and racial discrimination,

Affirming its conviction that the mass media can provide dominated groups with the means of expressing themselves and can thereby contribute to understanding and to a respect for differences,

Recognizing the importance of the support given to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by 121 States and the additional support provided by States declaring their recognition of the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to receive communications from individuals and groups of individuals,

Reaffirming its appeal to States which have not yet become parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to do so as part of their contribution to the objectives of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and its conviction that until such States ratify the Convention they should utilize the provisions of the Convention as guidelines in combating racial discrimination and in securing the realization of the principle of equality at both the national and international levels,

Recognizing the central importance of national legislative, judicial and administrative action to combat racial discrimination, and the specific value of recourse procedures for the implementation of human rights norms,

Recognizing that persons belonging to national, ethnic and other minorities are protected under the relevant international instruments, in particular under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including its article 27, and that continued vigilance is required to obviate any measures which discriminate against such groups; and that United Nations initiatives in respect of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and indigenous populations merit the widest support,

Recognizing that in order to achieve the aim of conducting an effective struggle against racism and racial discrimination it is necessary to work for the immediate establishment of a just and equitable international order and that, to that end, the establishment of a new international economic order would be a very important step in combating the causes that give rise to racism and racial discrimination,

Recognizing that international co-operation is an essential condition for effectively combating racism, racial discrimination and apartheid,

Recognizing the rights of indigenous populations as laid down in existing international instruments,

Recognizing that apartheid is a deliberate policy of the racist white minority to ensure and perpetuate the exploitation and degradation of the black majority in South Africa,

Solemnlv reaffirms and declares that:

1. All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights. Any doctrine of racial superiority is, therefore, scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and has no justification whatsoever;

2. Racism and racial discrimination are continuing scourges which must be eradicated throughout the world;

3. Consequently, national, regional and international educational resources should be developed and used in ways which will promote mutual understanding between all human beings and demonstrate and teach the scientific basis of ethnic and racial equality and the value of cultural diversity with a view to destroying the basis of racist attitudes and practices;

4. All peoples and all human groups have contributed to the progress of civilization and cultures which constitute the common heritage of humanity;

5. All forms of discrimination are violations of fundamental human rights, and governmental policies which are based on the theory of racial superiority, exclusiveness or hatred also jeopardize friendly relations among peoples and co-operation between nations, and thereby jeopardize international peace and security;

6. Apartheid as an institutionalized form of racism is a deliberate and totally abhorrent affront to the conscience and dignity of mankind, a crime against humanity and a threat to international peace and security;

7. In South Africa the most extreme form of racism has led to a form of exploitation and degradation which is in clear contradiction to the principle of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations;

8. The creation of bantustans is an inhuman policy designed to dispossess the African people of their land, deprive them of their citizenship and consolidate the political and economic domination of the minority white population of South Africa; this policy has been condemned by the international community, and should continue to be rejected and condemned;

9. United Nations sanctions against the racist South African regime must be implemented strictly and faithfully by all States in order to isolate it further. Assistance and collaboration in the economic, military, nuclear and other fields constitutes an impediment to the struggle against apartheid. It is the obligation of all Governments to develop appropriate legislation and regulations that would prevent transnational corporations from following those practices which assist and support the racist regime in Pretoria or which exploit the natural resources and people of South Africa and Namibia;

10. All those who contribute to the maintenance of the system of apartheid are accomplices in the perpetuation of this crime;

11. The Conference commends the selfless efforts of the people of South Africa and Namibia under the leadership of their national liberation movements for national independence and the establishment of a non-racial democratic society. It also reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggles and calls upon the international community to increase its moral, political and material support to these peoples;

12. Support should be provided to national liberation movements recognized by their respective regional organizations as a concrete form of international solidarity with all oppressed peoples and with all victims of racism and racial discrimination, colonialism and apartheid;

13. The Conference condemns the frequent and unjustified acts of aggression, destruction and sabotage, which the racist South African regime, directly and through the use of mercenaries and armed bandits, continues to perpetrate against the front-line States and other independent African States in the subregion because of their opposition to apartheid, assistance to refugees and support for the liberation movements. It therefore calls on all States to offer such assistance as would enable the front-line States and the other independent African States in the subregion to strengthen their defence capacity and peacefully rebuild their countries;

14. The Conference expresses its deep concern that many neo-Nazi and Fascist organizations have stepped up their activities which have encouraged tendencies towards racism and racial discrimination. Accordingly, measures should be taken against all ideologies and practices, such as apartheid, nazism, fascism and neo-fascism based on racial or ethnic exclusiveness or intolerance, hatred, terror or systematic denials of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

15. The proscription of racism and racial discrimination by law should be accompanied by vigorous efforts to ensure equality in the economic, social and cultural fields; and in particular special programmes, such as affirmative action programmes, should be developed to address the problem of racism and racial discrimination inherent in the system and institutionalized;

16. Education and information should provide an efficient means of action to combat racism and racial discrimination; the Conference supports the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for a more efficient utilization of education and information to combat racism and racial prejudice; it is also the responsibility of all Governments and all leaders of opinion within each society to educate people, especially children and youth, by all available means, to promote an awareness of the evils of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid and to ensure respect for the dignity and worth of all human beings. Information media should be encouraged to disseminate information on United Nations activities and programmes related to the elimination of racial discrimination;

17. Apartheid, racism and systematic racial discrimination are gross violations of human rights emanating from and leading to serious inequalities in the political and economic fields as well as in the fields of education, health, nutrition, housing, job opportunities and cultural development, and consequently the action required to combat such policies and practices should include measures at the national, regional and international levels, to improve the political, economic, social and cultural living conditions of men and women of all nations. International co-operation for development has an important role to play in securing the resources required by the developing countries to overcome these obstacles;

18. Governments should make clear their condemnation of all propaganda and all organizations which are based on ideas and theories of the superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin, which attempt to justify or promote racial hatred and discrimination in any form, and should adopt measures designed to eradicate all incitement to, or acts of, such discrimination in accordance with article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;

19. The Conference condemns any form of co-operation with South Africa, notably the existing and increasing relations between Israel and the racist regime of South Africa, in particular those in the economic and military fields, and deplores and warns against co-operation between them in the nuclear fields; it particularly deplores the expansion and intensification of those relations at the time when the international community is exerting all its efforts towards the objective of completely isolating the racist regime of South Africa; the Conference views this co-operation as an act of deliberate choice and a hostile act against the oppressed people of South Africa, as well as a defiance of the resolutions of the United Nations and the efforts of the society of nations to ensure freedom and peace in southern Africa; the Conference also notes with concern the insidious propaganda by Israel against the United Nations and against Governments which are firmly opposed to apartheid;

20. The Conference recalls with deep regret the practices of racial discrimination against the Palestinians as well as other inhabitants of the Arab occupied territories which have such an impact on all aspects of their daily existence that they prevent the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; the Conference expresses its deep concern about this situation and calls for the cessation of all the practices of racial discrimination to which the Palestinians and the other inhabitants of the Arab territories occupied by Israel are subjected;

21. Persons belonging to national, ethnic and other minorities can play a significant role in the promotion of international co-operation and understanding, and the national protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities in accordance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including its article 27, is essential to enable them to fulfil this role; the Conference stresses that granting persons belonging to minority groups the opportunity to participate fully in the political, economic and social life of their country can contribute to the promotion of understanding, co-operation and harmonious relations between persons belonging to the different groups living in a country; the Conference also recognizes that in certain cases special protection of the rights of persons belonging to minority groups may be called for, in particular by the adoption of effective measures in favour of persons belonging to particularly disadvantaged minority groups; the Conference endorses the action taken so far by the competent United Nations bodies to protect persons belonging to minorities, especially the present action of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft declaration on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and is confident that future action currently envisaged will appropriately enhance the international protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities; in promoting and guaranteeing the rights of persons belonging to minorities, there should be strict respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the countries where they live and for non-interference in their internal affairs;

22. The rights of indigenous populations to maintain their traditional economic, social and cultural structures, to pursue their own economic, social and cultural development and to use and further develop their own language, their special relationship to their land and its natural resources should not be taken away from them; the need for consultation with indigenous populations as regards proposals which concern them should be fully observed; the Conference welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Group on Indigenous Populations;

23. Whenever there is racial discrimination, women are often doubly discriminated against; consequently, further special efforts are called for to eliminate the effects of racial discrimination on the status and situation of women, and to ensure conditions promoting women's equal participation in the political, economic, social and cultural life of their societies. In this context, the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is of particular importance;

24. Relevant national and international bodies should consider specifically the psychological and physical consequences for children who are victims of racial discrimination, and should take care that special measures to counteract these effects are included in their future programmes;

25. The general principle of non-discrimination, with particular regard to refugees fleeing from apartheid, racism and racial discrimination, should be applied scrupulously in regard to refugees, particularly in respect of their admission, treatment and non-refoulement in countries providing refuge, including refuge on a temporary basis, and of international solidarity in providing assistance and in promoting durable solutions;

26. The urgent need to protect the rights of immigrants, migrant workers, as well as the human rights of those who are undocumented, and their families all over the world requires that States should ensure that their legislation, administration and other practices fully conform with international standards protecting the rights of migrant workers and their families, to mitigate and eliminate the social, economic and other causes of discriminatory measures or attitudes still existing to the detriment of migrant workers and their families; the Conference urges States Members of the United Nations to speed up the present work within the United Nations to elaborate a draft Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families;

27. States, international organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, local and private institutions, religious institutions and trade unions should ensure the total and effective realization of the goals and objectives of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

28. A Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination should be launched by the General Assembly with a view to achieving the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

To this end, the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination adopts the following Programme of Action:

Programme of Action

A. Action to combat apartheid

1. The Conference calls on all States, United Nations organs and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure the full and universal implementation of mandatory Security Council resolutions and to make efforts to implement other United Nations resolutions. Particular attention should be paid to specific measures, including those contained in the present Programme of Action, designed to ensure the implementation of the provisions relating to apartheid.

2. The Conference reaffirms that the system of apartheid in South Africa is the most extreme form of institutionalized racism, a crime against humanity, an affront to the conscience and dignity of mankind, and that South Africa's policies and practices constitute serious breaches of and threats to regional stability and to international peace and security. The Conference calls upon all States, international organizations, private institutions and non-governmental organizations to render increased political and material assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia, and to accelerate greatly campaigns for obtaining the release of all political prisoners imprisoned for their activities against apartheid.

3. The Conference further reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia and their national liberation movements for the elimination of apartheid by all available means, including armed struggle, and the special responsibility of the United Nations and the international community to provide them with moral, political and material assistance in the realization of their quest to exercise their right to self-determination.

4. The Conference reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to the total eradication of apartheid and to the establishment of a democratic society in which all the people of South Africa as a whole, irrespective of race, colour, sex or creed, will enjoy equal and full human rights and fundamental freedoms and participate freely in the determination of their destiny.

5. The Conference reaffirms the international community's rejection of the bantustanization policy and similar measures which are an integral part of the discriminatory apartheid system and which deny the black majority their legitimate rights to their land and to their citizenship of South Africa.

6. The Conference further confirms the international community's rejection of the regime's so-called reforms, especially the limited parliamentary representation for the coloureds and Asians designed to split the black alliance and buttress the apartheid system.

7. The Conference requests all States to implement strictly the embargo on the sale and transfer of arms and related military materials imposed against South Africa under Security Council resolution 418 (1977). The Conference further urges the Security Council to adopt urgent measures to strengthen the arms embargo in accordance with the recommendations of the Council's committee established under its resolution 421 (1977).

8. The Conference requests the Security Council to consider urgently the imposition of mandatory sanctions, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, against the apartheid regime of South Africa, and in particular:

(a) The cessation of all collaboration with South Africa in the nuclear field as such collaboration would enhance South Africa's capacity to develop nuclear weapons;

(b) The prohibition of all technological assistance or collaboration in the manufacture of arms and military supplies to South Africa;

(c) The cessation of foreign investments in, and financial loans to, South Africa;

(d) An embargo on the supply of petroleum, petroleum products, and other strategic commodities which would enable South Africa to continue implementing its apartheid policy;

(e) The interruption of trade relations with South Africa.

9. The Conference strongly condemns the racist regime of South Africa for its systematic oppression of and discrimination against the overwhelming majority of the population of South Africa and for its continuing illegal occupation of Namibia. The Conference also condemns acts of military aggression and acts of political and economic destabilization perpetrated by South Africa against the independent neighbouring States of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as South Africa's activities of recruiting, training, financing and arming mercenaries for aggression against and destabilization of the neighbouring States which creates instability in this part of the world.

10. The Conference calls for increased international assistance and support to front-line States and other independent States in the subregion subjected to threats and actions of aggression and destabilization by the apartheid regime of South Africa, in order to enable them to strengthen their defence capacity, defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity, fight the adverse South African and other propaganda that undermines the racial harmony and peace in the subregion, and peacefully rebuild and develop their countries.

11. The Conference calls upon States to sever all sporting, cultural and scientific links with the racist regime and with organizations or institutions in South Africa which practise apartheid and to discourage their nationals from having any such contacts.

12. The Conference calls on all States that have not yet done so:

(a) To refrain from any relations with the apartheid regime which could contribute to the continuance of the apartheid policy;

(b) To discourage or prevent, all business enterprises, including transnational corporations, in so far as they are under their jurisdiction or control, from any collaboration with the racist regime of South Africa, as such collaboration may contribute towards the continuance of its apartheid policy.

13. The Conference, reaffirming the direct responsibility of the United Nations for Namibia pending its achievement of genuine self-determination, national independence and territorial integrity, demands the immediate and unconditional implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) of 29 September 1978 and calls upon all States, intergovernmental organizations, private institutions and non-governmental organizations to make an active contribution to this aim. The Conference further calls on all Governments and transnational corporations to implement Decree No. 1 for the protection of the natural resources of Namibia adopted by the United Nations Council for Namibia, and also calls for the implementation of the measures referred to in section C of the General Assembly resolution 37/233 on Namibia.

14. The Conference calls on all States, intergovernmental organizations, private institutions and non-governmental organizations to continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the termination of all economic and financial collaboration with the racist regime of South Africa as such assistance will contribute to the continuance of the policies of apartheid and to refrain from taking any action that might imply recognition of, or support for, the illegal occupation of the Namibian territory by that regime. In this connection, the Conference cautions against unilateral attempts to relax the application of the sanctions already imposed by the Security Council.

15. The Conference urges the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund as well as similar institutions to refrain from extending any credits to the racist regime of South Africa.

B. Education, teaching and training

16. The Conference calls upon all States to use effectively education, teaching and training to create an atmosphere for the eradication of racism and racial discrimination. These media should serve as channels for exposing the myths and fallacies of theories, philosophies, ideas and attitudes that are inherent in discriminatory actions based on differences of race, colour, descent and ethnic or national origin. It is imperative for all States to apply strictly the principle of non-discrimination and equality in the matter of education as contained in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization Convention against Discrimination in Education. The Conference invites States:

(a) To examine history, geography and social studies textbooks with a view to correcting any erroneous assessment of historical and social data, or their unbalanced presentation, giving rise to racial prejudice;

(b) To ensure that teachers are made conscious of the degree to which they may reflect the prejudice of their society and are instructed to avoid such prejudices;

(c) To provide adequate opportunities in schools and institutions of higher learning for the study of the activities of the United Nations in combating racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

(d) To provide pupils and students at all levels with access to literature and documentation on racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

(e) To ensure that the teaching staff of institutions reflect, as far as possible, the racial and ethnic composition of the community. Affirmative action programmes should be instituted to facilitate the hiring of teachers who represent the racial, ethnic and linguistic composition of the community;

(f) To make available the resources of schools and of teaching and training facilities to persons belonging to all population groups;

(g) To take remedial measures in instances where particular racial, ethnic, linguistic or other groups have had a history of being placed at a disadvantage because of their origin and where such a situation has contributed to a lower level of education and a lower standard of living for persons belonging to various population groups. This is the responsibility of society. This might necessitate special educational programmes at all levels of the society;

(h) To make law enforcement agents aware in their training of the possibility of reflecting the prejudice of their society;

(i) To ensure that school curricula promote a dialogue between persons belonging to the various groups of the society. These should be responsive to the needs and backgrounds of all these persons and foster, where possible, an interchange of cultural experience. In this regard, persons belonging to ethnic minorities and racial groups should be allowed to inculcate in students the practices and values of the respective cultures. Efforts should also be made to allow the topic of human rights to permeate the curricula.

17. National institutions should inform the general public of the nature of their human rights as provided for in the existing international instruments directed towards combating racism, racial discrimination and apartheid as well as in other instruments based on the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or as otherwise covered in national legislation. The general public should be advised by the national institutions on the means of enforcing their rights according to national law. National institutions should ensure that persons are made aware of their own rights and those of others and should assist them in the matter of protecting and enforcing their rights. These institutions should mobilize public opinion in their countries against violations of human rights, especially gross and massive violations, and in particular against the practice of apartheid, racism and genocide.

18. One of the fundamental objectives of programmes of education and scientific research undertaken in national institutions should be the elimination of racial discrimination and prejudice.

19. It is imperative that all States apply strictly the principle of non-discrimination and equality in the matter of education and adhere to the principles set forth in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention against Discrimination in Education. It is important that the right to enter any school should be guaranteed to every child. The availability of special or supplementary education for children belonging to disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups may be appropriate in some cases for their development.

20. International agencies such as UNESCO should continue their work in the field of human rights education and promote such programmes on a continuing basis as guidelines for textbook analysis, teacher training, curriculum development and other undertakings and, in particular, should develop materials explaining how discrimination inherent in the system and institutionalized can be addressed through remedial programmes such as affirmative action plans.

21. As recommended by the International Conference on Apartheid and Health, which was held in Brazzaville from 16 to 20 November 1981, the World Health Organization should continue to implement the Plan of Action in favour of the victims of apartheid, in particular in the fields of health, education and training.

C. Dissemination of information and the role of the mass media in combating racism and racial discrimination

22. The mass media should play a vital role in disseminating information on methods and techniques used in combating racism, racial discrimination and apartheid. The mass media should, taking into account the Declaration adopted by UNESCO in 1978 on basic principles concerning contribution of the mass media to strengthening peace and international understanding, promoting human rights and combating racism and apartheid and incitement to war, regard it as their task, by disseminating information on the aims, aspirations, cultures and needs of all peoples, to contribute to eliminating ignorance and misunderstanding between peoples, to making nationals of a country sensitive to the needs and desires of others, to ensuring respect for the rights and dignity of all nations, all peoples and individuals without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or nationality and in that way to contribute to protecting them against any influence of propaganda supporting racism and racist regimes.

23. Mass media should contribute to raising the awareness of peoples of the close link between the struggle against apartheid and all forms of racism and racial discrimination and the struggle for international peace and security, in conformity with the provisions contained in the UNESCO Declaration of 1978.

24. Lack of self-expression through the mass media on the part of persons belonging to racial and ethnic minorities in society can often cause the mass media to become one-sided or distorted. Media of all kinds - radio, television, films, the press, advertising, booklets and public meetings - as well as traditional forms such as drama and story-telling could play a vital role.

25. Events and activities aimed at combating racism and racial discrimination should be given broad coverage by the media. Mention may be made of such activities as conferences, seminar workshops and round-tables, as well as meetings of United Nations organs dealing with a particular question and publication and wide distribution of pertinent resolutions and decisions of such bodies. Success stories in combating racial discrimination through legislation, executive action or community action programmes should be given publicity, and the negative and evil side of racism and racial discrimination highlighted. Comic strips, films and magazines for children and adults should be screened with a view to eliminating any form of racial stereotyping, whether favourable or unfavourable. Events having a racial aspect should be presented in their economic and social, cultural and political context; they should not be treated as mere news items.

26. The negative and positive influences exercised by the media in their role as information-conveyors, entertainers, educators and advertisers should be studied. In addition, the media should seek to raise public consciousness about the positive roles and achievements of racial and ethnic groups from all walks of life throughout history. Efforts should be made to produce radio and television programmes depicting the evils of racial discrimination in a vivid way - for example, by illustrating the plight of individual victims of racial discrimination. Such audio and visual presentations are likely to have great impact, particularly in areas where literacy is not widespread.

27. There should be adequate opportunity within the mass media for persons belonging to groups which are victims of discrimination to express their own points of view, particularly by producing programmes or reports themselves. In addition, persons belonging to such groups should have equal access to the professions within the mass media, especially journalism.

28. National institutions should widely publicize basic texts on the elimination of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid as well as other human rights texts

D. Measures for the promotion and protection of human rights of persons belonging to minority groups, indigenous populations and peoples and migrant workers who are subjected to racial discrimination

29. Throughout the various regions of the world there is a diversity of peoples, cultures, traditions and religions that encompasses, in many instances, various minority groups. There is a need for constant effort and continued vigilance on the part of all Governments to obviate any form of racial discrimination based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, in accordance with article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of A11 Forms of Racial Discrimination.

30. National and local institutions, as adapted to the needs and conditions of each country, can play an important role in the promotion and protection of human rights, in the prevention of discrimination and the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities, of indigenous populations and of refugees. Such national and local institutions could be of varying types, including judicial, administrative, conciliatory, social and educational. Any or all of these types of institutions could be utilized by individual countries according to their own circumstances and needs.

31. In the area of legislation, Governments should abolish and prohibit any discrimination within their jurisdiction. Such legislation should seek to promote and protect the human rights of persons belonging to minority groups in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other relevant international instruments. Persons belonging to minorities should enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination as to national or ethnic origin, language, religion or sex.

32. Governments should create favourable conditions and take measures that will enable persons belonging to national or ethnic minorities within their jurisdiction to express their characteristics freely and to develop their education, culture, language, traditions and customs and to participate on a non-discriminatory and equitable basis in the cultural, social, economic and political life of the country in which they live. In maintaining their culture and traditions such persons should be in a position to develop the necessary contacts inside and outside their country with due respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, the principle of non-interference by one State in the internal affairs of another State, and the political independence of the States concerned.

33. States should undertake to combat the causes of inter-group antagonism by adopting concrete measures designed to promote understanding, co-operation and harmonious relations among members of population groups. Where tension and friction exist, their elimination cannot be achieved if the realities of political, economic, cultural, religious and linguistic differences between the various components of the society concerned are not taken into account.

34. With respect to indigenous populations, Governments should recognize and respect the basic rights of such populations:

(a) To call themselves by their proper name and to express freely their own identity;

(b) To have official status and to form their own representative organizations;

(c) To maintain within the areas where they live their traditional economic structure and way of life; this should in no way affect their right to participate freely on an equal basis in the economic, social and political development of the country;

(d) To maintain and use their own language, wherever possible, for administration and education;

(e) To enjoy freedom of religion or belief;

(f) To have access to land and natural resources, particularly in the light of the fundamental importance of rights to land and natural resources to their traditions and aspirations;

(g) To structure, conduct and control their own educational systems.

35. Indigenous populations should be free to manage their own affairs to the fullest practicable extent, and should be consulted in all matters concerning their interests and welfare, wherever possible through formal consultative arrangements. Special measures should be taken to remedy past dispossession, dispersal and systematic discrimination.

36. Funds should be made available by the national authorities for investments, the uses of which are to be determined with the participation of the indigenous populations themselves, in the economic life of the areas concerned, as well as in all spheres of cultural activity.

37. Governments should allow indigenous populations within their territories to develop cultural and social links with related or similar populations, taking into account the important role of international organizations or associations of indigenous populations, and with due respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of those countries in which indigenous populations live.

38. The Conference further urges States to facilitate and support the establishment of representative non-governmental international organizations for indigenous populations through which they can share experiences and promote common interests. The Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities should ensure that the urgent work being carried out by its Working Group on Indigenous Populations is continued so that the complex issues involved can be analysed and appropriate measures taken at the international and national levels.

39. In view of the vulnerability of indigenous populations to discrimination and violations of their human rights, and of the gravity of the threat faced by indigenous populations in some parts of the world, Governments should pay close attention to situations in which the rights of indigenous populations may be violated or denied, in order to prevent such violations, which should be widely publicized as soon as they are detected.

40. States receiving migrant workers should eliminate all discriminatory practices against such workers and their families by giving them treatment no less favourable than that accorded to their own nationals. Host countries should eliminate from their legislation any type of legal or other provisions which may discriminate against migrant workers on the basis of their respective nationalities. This should pertain, inter alia, to vocational training, the type of posts that migrants may occupy, the type of contracts accorded to migrant workers, the right to seek employment in any part of the country, regulations governing working conditions, trade-union activity and access to judicial and administrative tribunals to air grievances concerning discrimination. With a view to combating xenophobia, host countries should develop information campaigns in order to disseminate the idea of equality between nationals and migrant workers.

41. The following measures could also be undertaken by Governments to protect the rights of migrant workers:

(a) The General Assembly should complete, as soon as possible, the elaboration of an international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families. The Conference considers that the conclusion of this convention by the United Nations would constitute an important contribution to its endeavours to protect fundamental human rights, because the convention would be added to the other instruments protecting these rights; the Conference recommends, pending the conclusions of the above-mentioned Convention, that a joint consultative mechanism be established in host countries with a view to contributing to good relations and mutual understanding;

(b) States should ratify, accede to and implement the international instruments aimed at protecting migrant workers from discrimination, including the relevant conventions of the International Labour Organisation;

(c) Migrant workers and members of their families should have the same rights as citizens of the State concerned as regards access to and treatment by the courts and tribunals;

(d) All migrant workers should enjoy treatment no less favourable than that accorded to nationals of the receiving State in respect of remuneration;

(e) Migrant workers should be ensured equal treatment with national workers in the field of social security, including the right to a retirement pension and similar social rights, while having their lawful residence in the host country;

(f) Host countries should be invited to co-operate with countries of origin to provide migrant workers and their families with the necessary facilities in the fields of education and information for safeguarding their cultural identity;

(g) The children of migrant workers should be enabled to receive education in their mother tongue and on different aspects of their cultural achievements with a view to preserving their national identity;

(h) The State of origin and State of employment should as far as possible co-operate with a view to helping to create new job opportunities for migrant workers returning to the State of origin.

E. Recourse procedures for victims of racial discrimination

42. The Conference invites States to take into account, within their domestic recourse procedures, the following considerations:

(a) Access to such procedures should be as broad as possible;

(b) Existing recourse procedures should be publicized within their respective jurisdictions, and victims of racial discrimination should be assisted in utilizing the procedures where appropriate;

(c) In each jurisdiction the rules relating to the initiation of complaints should be made simple and flexible and capable of being entertained in the language of the complainant;

(d) Complaints of racial discrimination should be dealt with as expeditiously as possible, and there should be a reasonable time-limit with regard to the length of investigations;

(e) Indigent victims of racial discrimination should receive legal aid and assistance in prosecuting their complaint, with the help of an interpreter when necessary, in civil or criminal proceedings.

43. Victims of racial discrimination should have the right to seek from tribunals just and adequate reparation or satisfaction for any damage suffered as a result of such discrimination.

F. Implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other related international instruments

44. The Conference urges States which have not yet become parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to do so as part of their contribution to the objectives of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and until such States ratify the Convention they should utilize the provisions of the Convention as guidelines in combating racial discrimination and in securing the realization of the principles of equality at both the national and international levels. The Conference calls upon States parties to the Convention to consider the possibility of making the Declaration provided for in article 14 of the Convention.

45. Such States should enact, as a matter of the highest priority, appropriate legislation and other suitable measures to prohibit and bring to an end racial discrimination, to abrogate, amend, rescind or nullify any policies or regulations that have the effect of creating or perpetuating racial hatred and to declare the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority and hatred to be an offence punishable by law, taking duly into account the provisions appearing in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

46. The Conference also appeals to States which have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to, as soon as possible, other relevant international instruments adopted under the aegis of the United Nations and specialized agencies, such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity (1968), the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (1973), the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (1958) of the International Labour Organisation, the Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979); States are urged to comply with the reporting requirements called for by the relevant conventions.

G. National legislation and institutions

47. The Conference suggests that States that have not already done so should consider the urgent enactment, as a matter of the highest priority, of appropriate legislation and other suitable measures to prohibit and bring to an end racial discrimination, to abrogate, amend, rescind or nullify any policies or regulations that have the effect of creating or perpetuating racial hatred and, with due regard to the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the UNESCO Declaration on Fundamental Principles concerning the Contribution of the Mass Media to Strengthening Peace and International Understanding, to the Promotion of Human Rights and to Countering Racialism, Apartheid and Incitement to War (1978), the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice (1978), and the rights set forth in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to declare the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority and hatred to be an offence punishable by law.

48. The Conference calls on all States that have not yet done so to take effective legislative and other measures, including those in the field of penal law, to prevent the recruitment, use, financing and training, transit and transport of mercenaries, in particular when they are aimed at assisting racist regimes, and to punish such mercenaries as common criminals. The Conference urges the Ad Hoc Committee established by the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session to complete, as soon as possible, the draft international convention-against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries.

49. The Conference urges all States to adopt strict legislation to declare an offence punishable by law all dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred and to prohibit organizations based on racial prejudice and hatred, including neo-Nazi and Fascist organizations, private clubs and institutions established on the basis of racial criteria or propagating ideas of racial discrimination and apartheid.

50. With regard to national legislation, the Conference recommends that:

(a) Governments, where necessary, should guarantee non-discrimination on grounds of race and equal rights for all individuals in their constitutions and legislation;

(b) Governments, where necessary, should undertake to review and update all national legislation and remove all discriminatory provisions;

(c) Legislation should be consistent with international standards embodied in relevant international instruments;

(d) Victims of discrimination should be informed and advised of their rights, by all possible means, and given assistance in securing those rights;

(e) Governments should, where necessary, establish appropriate and effective mechanisms, including conciliation and mediation procedures and national commissions, to ensure that such legislation is enforced effectively, and thereby to promote equality of opportunity and good race relations.

51. A regular system of review and appraisal should be continued to enable Member States, all organizations of the United Nations system, including relevant regional bodies and non-governmental organizations, to assess the measures taken towards achieving the aims and objectives of the Decade.

52. Within the framework of their national legislation and policy and according to their means, States should set up national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. National institutions should study legal developments and review the laws and policies of the national Government with a view to ensuring the elimination of all discriminatory laws, prejudices and practices based on race, sex, descent, colour and national and ethnic origin.

H. Seminars and studies

53. The Conference recommends that, as part of future activities to combat racism and racial discrimination, consideration should be given to the organization of international and regional seminars on such subjects as:

(a) Political, historical, economic, social and cultural factors leading to racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

(b) International support and assistance to peoples and movements struggling against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

(c) Ways and means of denying support to racist regimes with a view to making them change their policies;

(d) The historical and current dimensions of tribalism;

(e) Main obstacles to the full eradication of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid;

(f) The human rights of persons belonging to ethnic groups in immigrant countries;

(g) Equality of treatment for persons belonging to ethnic and racial minorities and disadvantaged groups, such as indigenous populations;

(h) Community relations commissions and their functions.

54. The Conference also recommends that studies should be continued regarding ways and means of ensuring implementation of United Nations resolutions on apartheid, racism and racial discrimination. In particular, the Conference strongly encourages the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to continue to research, study and conduct seminars on racism and racial discrimination.

I. Action by non-governmental organizations

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