New York:South Africa has urged the international community to take actionable steps to implement the commitments of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as the United Nations commemorates 25 years since its adoption. This call was made by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a high-level meeting of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the theme 'Mobilizing global public support for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.' The Durban Declaration is seen as a global framework for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
Reflecting on the 2001 World Conference held in Durban, Lamola emphasized its role as a milestone in addressing racism and historical injustices. He noted that the conference produced a framework confronting legacies of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and racial discrimination, and highlighted the importance of involving civil society, communities, and individuals in combating racism.
Lamola acknowledged that racism, xenophobia, and intolerance persist 25 years after the declaration's adoption, exacerbated by online hate speech and resistance to measures aimed at redressing these issues. He linked the persistence of racism to broader challenges of inequality and insecurity, stressing the importance of international cooperation to manage migration pressures.
The Minister also highlighted recent developments at the United Nations, such as the adoption of a declaration recognizing the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as a grave crime against humanity, which bolsters the case for reparative justice. He called for measures to address historical injustices, including formal apologies, truth-telling, reparations, and the return of cultural artifacts.
Lamola urged countries to strengthen independent national human rights institutions to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the commitments made in Durban. He stated that the anniversary should inspire concrete actions rather than merely serve as a moment for reflection, emphasizing that the task of building a world free of racism remains ongoing.