Vol. 542 No. 2
131 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view of the definition which constitutes racism in the context of the recent United Nations Convention on the subject; and if the imposition of ethnic or religious tests for citizenship of a country comes within his understanding of racism. [21106/01]
The 1978 UNESCO Declaration and the 1969 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination are the most widely acknowledged definitions of racism and racial discrimination. These definitions have been accepted by successive governments in framing legislation in this area and provided the conceptual background to the proceedings of the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 8 September 2001.
The UNESCO Declaration states: "Any theory involving the claim that racial or ethnic groups are inherently superior or inferior, thus implying that some would be entitled to dominate or eliminate others who would be inferior; or which places a value judgment on racial differentiation, has no scientific foundation and is contrary to the moral and ethical principles of humanity".
The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to which Ireland is party, states: ". . . racial discrimination shall mean any distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life".
The World Conference Against Racism in Durban, acting on those definitions and principles, declared: " . . . that all human beings are born free, equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected along with theories which attempt to determine the existence of separate human races".
I am glad to have had the opportunity, at this time, to place on record in the House these definitions and principles which inform the Government's attitude to the pernicious doctrine that is racism.
