asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans the Government have to mark the UN day to eliminate racial discrimination, on 21 March, the anniversary of the Sharpville massacre.
Written Answers. - Racial Discrimination.
470.
The United Nations have designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the day is observed each year by the UN in special ceremonies in New York. This year the day will be marked as usual by a solemn meeting of the Special Committee against Apartheid on 21 March at which Ireland will be represented.
It is customary that I join in a message to the Secretary General of the UN from the Foreign Ministers of the Ten member states of the European Communities expressing the opposition of the Ten to all manifestations of racial discrimination and in particular to the apartheid policies of the Government of South Africa. Ireland will also mark the day by informing the UN Secretary General of our voluntary contributions for 1985 to four UN funds to aid the victims of apartheid: UN Trust Fund for South Africa, £25,000; UN Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, £25,000; UN Fund for Namibia, £21,000; UN Trust Fund for Publicity against Apartheid, £1,000.