Menu
23/01/2004
Rise in discrimination threatens peace-building: UN
Issues of intolerance, prejudice and discrimination worldwide are now so profound that they are threatening to disrupt collective efforts to promote peace and development in the new century, the United Nations chief information and communication official said today.
Moderating the first briefing in 2004 for members of UN non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor said that there had been an "alarming resurgence" of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism in many parts of the world.
He added: "They are distinct phenomena with many different manifestations, but they also share common roots that grow out of ignorance, poverty, violence and the irrational fear of The Other."
Hate crimes are also on the rise in urban areas in an "atmosphere of intolerance and violence wilfully exacerbated by fundamentalist rhetoric and the backlash of xenophobia in both North and South", Mr Tharoor said.
The UN is and must continue to be a leading force in combating intolerance worldwide, he said.
He referred to the words of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who earlier this month said: "The United Nations, for its part, must reject all forms of racism and discrimination. Only in so doing, clearly and consistently, will it be true to its Charter and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to people of all creeds and colours striving for their dignity."
In addition, Mr Tharoor said, everyone had the responsibility to recognize and systematically fight "these insidious and corrosive forces" and prevent their spread.
(gmcg)
Moderating the first briefing in 2004 for members of UN non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor said that there had been an "alarming resurgence" of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism in many parts of the world.
He added: "They are distinct phenomena with many different manifestations, but they also share common roots that grow out of ignorance, poverty, violence and the irrational fear of The Other."
Hate crimes are also on the rise in urban areas in an "atmosphere of intolerance and violence wilfully exacerbated by fundamentalist rhetoric and the backlash of xenophobia in both North and South", Mr Tharoor said.
The UN is and must continue to be a leading force in combating intolerance worldwide, he said.
He referred to the words of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who earlier this month said: "The United Nations, for its part, must reject all forms of racism and discrimination. Only in so doing, clearly and consistently, will it be true to its Charter and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to people of all creeds and colours striving for their dignity."
In addition, Mr Tharoor said, everyone had the responsibility to recognize and systematically fight "these insidious and corrosive forces" and prevent their spread.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 March 2004
More work needed to end workplace discrimination for women: UN
Women are entering the global labour force in record numbers but they still face higher unemployment rates and lower wages, the United Nations labour agency has reported today.
More work needed to end workplace discrimination for women: UN
Women are entering the global labour force in record numbers but they still face higher unemployment rates and lower wages, the United Nations labour agency has reported today.
09 October 2003
UN fears Middle East violence set to escalate
The UN has warned that there will be further violence in the Middle East as the situation between Israel, Syria and Lebanon, has "deteriorated sharply" in last few.
UN fears Middle East violence set to escalate
The UN has warned that there will be further violence in the Middle East as the situation between Israel, Syria and Lebanon, has "deteriorated sharply" in last few.
20 August 2003
Rescue operation scaled down in devastated Baghdad UN HQ
The search for people trapped alive in the devastated Baghdad headquarters of the UN is being scaled down following yesterday afternoon's bomb attack. The latest casualty figures for those killed stands at 17 and 100 people injured in the blast that ripped through the hotel building collapsing part of the structure.
Rescue operation scaled down in devastated Baghdad UN HQ
The search for people trapped alive in the devastated Baghdad headquarters of the UN is being scaled down following yesterday afternoon's bomb attack. The latest casualty figures for those killed stands at 17 and 100 people injured in the blast that ripped through the hotel building collapsing part of the structure.
03 February 2004
UN official calls for clampdown on Internet-driven racism
A top UN human rights official has called for further measures to prevent the propagation of racial hatred carried on the Internet.
UN official calls for clampdown on Internet-driven racism
A top UN human rights official has called for further measures to prevent the propagation of racial hatred carried on the Internet.
18 March 2010
Move To Freeze Terrorists' Assets
Public consultation has opened on a permanent bill that would allow the Treasury to freeze the assets of those involved in terrorism. The Terrorist Asset-Freezing Bill which was published in draft on 5 February 2010.
Move To Freeze Terrorists' Assets
Public consultation has opened on a permanent bill that would allow the Treasury to freeze the assets of those involved in terrorism. The Terrorist Asset-Freezing Bill which was published in draft on 5 February 2010.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Any fog and low cloud burning off this morning. Then sunny intervals with a few showers breaking out this afternoon, these mainly across southern counties. Warm. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Any showers dying out this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with variable amounts of cloud. Low cloud and fog developing in the early hours. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
