“Racial discrimination is wrong and harmful in itself. It is a denial of human rights, an affront to human dignity and a direct assault on the foundation of the human rights edifice – the principle of equality. Discrimination and bias also have a direct impact on a society’s development. A society that tolerates discrimination holds itself back, foregoing the contribution of whole parts of its population, and potentially sowing the seeds of violent conflict.”

- Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Ms. Arbour’s stand becomes even more significant in light of the fact that the Harper government has just refused to take part in a United Nations’ meeting to prepare the 2^nd World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which is scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa, in 2009.

The government’s decision is unacceptable. It is important to remember that the first conference, held in 2001, had resulted in the implementation of an action plan to fight racism – a global plan. A delegation of the Canadian Labour Congress, including members of our union, had participated in this conference and played a pivotal role in the adoption of this plan.

It’s not the first time!

Unfortunately, it’s not the first time that the Harper government has acted in this way. It makes us wonder whether its objective is to simply shirk its responsibilities towards human rights and to withdraw from the UN. The Harper government’s track record includes the following:

• Refusal to sign the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• Refusal to sign the Optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
• Refusal to implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which called for stronger measures to eliminate poverty and fight violence.
• Adoption of policies that promote racial profiling by introducing a no-fly list, security certificates and border controls, and by intensifying the removal of refugee claimants.

It has to stop!

We cannot accept the Harper government’s attitude because this kind of arrogance and shirking of responsibilities can only result in what is feared by Louise Arbour: conflict. To avoid this, we need to take concrete steps right now. We have to force the Harper government to play an active role in preparing the second world conference against racism. On March 21, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, let’s send a message to our federal politicians.