Durban Dispatches

Communiqué du représentant du CSN

2009-04-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

Communiqué de la Confédération des syndicats nationaux (Conférence de Durban, Genève Suisse, du 20 au 24 avril 2009)

La Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), en tant qu’organisation syndicale, s’est toujours intéressée aux grands débats sociaux. Tant sur le plan de son action que de son idéologie, elle vise à assurer la promotion et l’avancement des droits fondamentaux en plaçant la personne humaine au premier rang de ses préoccupations. C’est donc avec beaucoup d’intérêt qu’elle a participé à la conférence de Durban qui s’est déroulée à Genève, en Suisse du 20 au 24 avril 2009, en tant que membre de la Confédération syndicale internationale (CSI), comme bon nombre d’organisations syndicales à travers le monde.

Cette conférence, qui se veut une évaluation des progrès réalisés depuis la dernière Conférence mondiale contre le racisme, la discrimination raciale, la xénophobie et l’intolérance qui y est associée tenue à Durban en Afrique du Sud en 2001, s’est révélée un véritable succès dans la mesure où elle a permis à la communauté internationale d’avoir en sa disposition des outils concrets lui permettant de lutter contre le racisme sous toutes ses formes

A l’ère de la mondialisation caractérisée par une forte interrelation entre les nations, les races et les individus de cultures différentes, aucun État ou gouvernement ne peut prétendre être à l’abri du racisme. En ce sens, nous regrettons l’absence du gouvernement canadien signifiant son refus de participer aux importants débats tenus à cette conférence. La politique de la chaise vide ne peut être une option pour le Canada quand il s’agit de défendre les droits fondamentaux des êtres humains. La lutte contre le racisme, la discrimination raciale, la xénophobie et l’intolérance qui y est associée doit être une préoccupation de toutes et de tous.

Néanmoins, cet engagement ferme que vient de prendre la communauté internationale renforce la position de la Confédération des syndicats nationaux, en tant qu’organisation syndicale, dans la lutte de tous les jours qu’elle mène dans les milieux de travail contre toutes sortes de discrimination ou exclusion fondées sur la race, la couleur, le sexe, l’orientation sexuelle, la religion et autres. Ce message clair de la communauté internationale invite l’ensemble des organisations syndicales à travers le monde à intensifier leurs interventions afin de permettre aux travailleuses et travailleurs d’avoir accès à un travail décent ainsi qu’à de meilleures conditions de vie.

Sans aucun doute, la CSN fera de la déclaration et du programme d’action de Durban un outil pratique et efficace qu’elle utilisera dans ses actions visant à forcer les gouvernements national, provincial et local à se donner des cibles précises et réelles afin d’éradiquer le racisme au sein de notre société. La lutte contre la discrimination est légitime. Elle vise le respect de l’égalité, lequel constitue un des fondements de la Charte des droits et libertés de la personne du Québec.

Jean Dalcé CSN

Joint statement of the Canadian Civil Society

2009-04-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

JOINT STATEMENT OF

THE AFRICAN CANADIAN LEGAL CLINIC
THE CANADIAN ARAB FEDERATION
THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS
THE CHARTER OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES
THE COUNCIL OF AGENGIES SERVING SOUTH ASIANS AND
INDEPENDENT JEWISH VOICES

Durban Review Conference
April 20-24 2009, Geneva

This is a joint statement on behalf of African Canadian Legal Clinic, Canadian Arab Federation, Canadian Labour Congress, Charter of Human Responsibilities (Canada), Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, and Independent Jewish Voices (Canada).

We represent a broad and diverse cross section of racialized and ethnic communities from Canadian civil society, committed to combating racism.

We denounce the failure of our government to participate in the Durban Review Conference, a process of critical importance to victims of racism the world over. As civil society organizations, we are here to affirm our commitment to this Review Conference, which is intended to assess the progress UN member nations have made to implement the DDPA.

As Canadian civil society organizations we are deeply dismayed with our government’s decision to withdraw from the conference, long before even a single substantive paragraph had been written. Canada’s refusal to participate in the UN process is a demonstration of its failure to acknowledge the persistence of racism and state responsibility to address it.

The governments which have chosen not to participate have maligned the Durban process itself by describing it as anti-Semitic. While the struggle against anti-Semitism is important, in this instance it is being used as a pretext for ignoring all other issues before this critical conference. We are witnessing a cynical alliance among Western nations to avoid addressing the legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the human rights of Palestinian people, and the expropriation of the land and resources of indigenous peoples across the world.

As Canadian civil society, we know that racism is a pernicious reality faced in our workplaces and communities on a daily basis by Aboriginal peoples, African Canadians, Arabs and Muslims and racialized communities as well as racialized immigrants, refugees and migrants.

What binds these communities are disproportionate levels of poverty, lack of access to decent work, education, housing and healthcare -- all colour-coded inequalities that are on the rise in Canada. With economic conditions continuing to deteriorate, these marginalized communities will continue to suffer disproportionately.

Governments have withdrawn from this Conference in order to avoid addressing these fundamental human rights issues. We are here to demand these rights be actively respected and promoted. Their withdrawal clearly indicates lack of commitment and refusal to address the growing problem in their countries and around the world.

The situation of racialized and indigenous populations in Canada has worsened since 2001, with no little or no comprehensive government remedial action. Our Canadian government would have received a failing grade, had it chosen to participate.

We join in solidarity with other racialized and colonized communities all over the world. With or without our government, Canadian civil society will continue to fight to eliminate racism everywhere.

Photos of the prep-meeting of the canadians meeting the UN's Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

2009-04-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

List of the Civil Society participants meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.
African Canadian legal Clinic
• Margaret Parsons
• Marie Chen

Canadian Arab Federation
• Mohamed Boudjenane

Canadian Council of Chruches
• Hazel Campagne

Canadian Labour Congress(CLC)
• Hassan Yussef
• Karl Flecker

Canadian Union of Public Employees(CUPE)
• Brian Barron
• Yolanda McLean
• Harminder Magon

Canadian United Post Workers (CUPW)
• Fred Turner
• Benita Raponi
• Irwin Nanda

Public Service Alliance of Canada(PSAC)/Alliance de la Fonction Publique du Canada.(AFPC)
• Seema Lamba
• Danielle Dubuc

Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux(CSN)
• Jean Dalcé

Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
• Neethan Shan

Independent Jewish Voices
• Fabienne Presenty
• Sid Shnaid &Diana Ralph

Absent: Terry Downey (Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL))

Brian Barron's blog on Thursday's events at the DRC

2009-04-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today, I stood at the Tram station in Geneva waiting to board the number 15 that would take me to my destination the Durban Review Conference. I shared my ride with Sisters and Brothers from the world community. I could feel the excitement and anticipation mounting as the tram approached the United Nations stop.

Many discussions were occurring all around me about the past days events and what was waiting for today. As a member of the CLC delegation representing Canada I have quickly become accustomed to expect the unexpected by my comrades staying at the IBIS Hotel here in Switzerland. They have lead me on adventures that have concluded in many laughs and many miles to contemplate the plight of the Human Rights Community as we trekked the roadways of Geneva having got off the bus way to soon, and waving to the buses carrying other activist to the same destination.

When you think about the United Nations, you think a little about security. Well, I can tell you they ‘live’ security at the UN. Search after search started me questioning whether I would reach the General Assembly or any event for that matter. The vast size of the facility alone is quite intimidating for a prairie boy to fathom, let alone the huge number of police and security. My dad always said there’d be days like this; I just didn’t know I would be across the world from my home.

Well, I made it into the main building and wandering quite hopelessly around as delegates and diplomats race quite confidently to their destination. It is very difficult to be in a place of worldly thinkers and problem solvers and not look dumb as you follow people going in the opposite direction to where you need to get to. However, I rely again on that good old prairie common sense, if questioned about being in the wrong place I simply answer “I meant to do that”. So far so good!

After attending the NGO meeting I was able to meet with a few familiar faces purely by accident, no doubt, as again I was racing to nowhere trying to get my United Nations bearings. I spotted the rest of the CLC delegation and quite confidently marched up to them, although I was quite exhausted as I had trekked yet again many needless kilometers and the day was just beginning. After a short meeting with my comrades it was off again to start the business of combating racism.

Brother Karl had asked me to make contact with Kenneth Deer from the ICT task force. Well, the Great Creator must have been watching out for me as I nearly bowled him over as I left Salle 17. After a brief chat he informed me that he was the moderator for the session on “The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Contributing to the realization of the DDPA”.

The session was really eye opening for me for starters as I bumped into the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-Wah Kang with a quick apology and was off again. I am still suffering from jet lag combined with an inner ear inflammation which shuts my balance down for short bursts without warning. I quickly and embarrassingly found a seat and listened attentively to the 4 panelists from around the world. As each speaker shared and spoke about their experiences and the international challenge, it was becoming quite evident that in spite of the many committed expert activists challenging racism it has not been diminished in its capacity to craft influence on the world forum yet today. As each panelist shared their views and experience it was apparent that the world has become increasing intolerant to the acts of racial discrimination and racism of today. The framework of the DDPA must play a role in the fight against this type of behavior. As well, it was suggested that perhaps it’s an opportunity for activists to evolve in strategies. The notion was suggested by Catherine Odimba that parallelism of action with the DD and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples could play a role.

Perhaps what was most intriguing of the event for me was Tom Calma from Australia who spoke of the striking similar circumstances of Aboriginals in his country and First Nations Peoples in Canada. He spoke of the potential to reverse legislation for the politicians to recognize and be accountable for the past mistakes that have been made.

It has been a wonderful day as I have met with a Mohawk man from Kanawake , who through our brief yet intense discussion, reinforced my belief that Indigenous People across the world hunger for equality and have grown impatient with the lack of action. That the challenge to equality, is in fact, not race based as others would have us believe.

It is quite late as I sit and compose this message in the surrounding area by the hotel; someone is playing a piano. It made me think of music back home and the songs of Bob Dylan resonated in my mind. Dylan wrote a song many years ago titled something like ”The Times are changing”. I believe this was to prepare populations of the impending evolutionary changes coming. Well, Mr. Dylan, it appears those times may be changing. However, based on what I have experienced to date at the Durban Review Conference, the song remains the same with regard to Human Rights.

Aborignal realities shared with UN Human Rights Commission

2009-04-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the First Peoples of Canada Deputy High Commissioner Kyung-wha Kang.

My name is Brian Barron and I am from the Ojibway Nation Treaty 1 of Canada Turtle Island, a member of the Canadian Labour Congress delegation, and CUPE member. I bring forward specific concerns of the lack of accountability and action from our elected officials of Canada.

First Nations poverty is extreme and epidemic in remote communities of the north and south, alarmingly high rate of unsafe housing and also lack of inhabitable housing. Far too many communities exist without safe potable water creating unsafe drinking water complications for the First Peoples in poor health; our government is eroding the pledge to provide education opportunities diminishing the future of our Peoples to compete for jobs.

I seek guidance and support as a member of the First Peoples of Canada who now have reached 1 million in our country. Coming to Geneva I had hopes to learn lessons that would help our Elders, Leaders address the compromised state our peoples are enduring. Poverty is crippling to our people in the north and south. Poverty directly affects 60% of Aboriginal children, yet nearly 50% of First Peoples live in Cities with incomes lower than other Canadians. The aging population of First Peoples are not even a consideration at this juncture as current daily living conditions remain at the forefront. First Peoples population has increased 45% over a decade making it one of the fastest growing human resources yet unemployment for men is 21% and 17% for women.

Housing in the north is in dire straits with this Fast growing population families are forced to live together with as many as 5 families living in a dwelling built to safely house 1 family, due to the neglect and lack of attention by our government.
Over 100 communities live with a boil water order; sickness and poor health is a by-product of lack of safe water for hygiene as well to use for consumption. Again this overlap of non recognition and lack of attention has placed our people in a position of disadvantage.

Elected leaders are seeking not to honour the promise of education in exchange for treaties signed by our ancestors. Elders and Chiefs had the foresight to look to the future and trusted Canada would honour their pledge.
There are simply no schools or schools, in such a sad state that they are unusable due to our harsh climate as well unsafe due to mold infestation.
We speak of solutions as if solutions were over; solutions are taking place every moment of our lives. Canada must act now as time is running out for many as suicide rates are high.

Negativity must not be the catalyst for lessons that our youth must endure, the future should hold promise and opportunity.
As I listened to a representative from Australia I heard of the sincere recognition and accountability by their government i could only ponder my governments lack of accountability and responsibility. Someone must tell Canada to listen to the people as it appears they have decided to not participate.

Brian Barron
For The CLC delegation at the Durban review Conference
The Diversity Vice-President Representing Aboriginals for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Canadians meeting with Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Canadian Civil Society

2009-04-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

A group of Canadian civil society organizations including the CLC met with Ms. Kyung- wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights for a brief meeting this morning.

We had met the night before to discuss the agenda items for this meeting. There was consensus that we wanted to support the work of the High Commissioner`s office and let her know that we did not agree with our government`s decision to withdraw from the preparatory meetings and the actual conference itself.

Knowing that our time would be brief with the Deputy High Commissioner, we prepared an agenda on issues that we wanted to highlight. Again, there was consensus on the topics which included: introduction of civil society in Canada; role of the High Commissioner in the monitoring and implementation of the DDPA and the DRC Outcome document; post Durban mechanism and the current situation in Canada.

At the meeting, our diverse civil society delegation were able to discuss anti-terrorism legislation and the impact on racialized communities; the impact of political bias and consequent decisions to silence and cut funding of community organizations such as Canadian Arab Federation; and the situation of First Nations, African Canadians, migrants, racialized immigrants and other racialized communities. Our delegation were able to provide specific examples of racism experienced by these communities including the racialization of poverty, impact of discriminatory governmental policies such as the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, and lack of political action on issues of housing, employment, education and access to social services. Lastly, in response to the criticism of the Conference, the Independent Jewish Voices expressed their support for the conference as Jewish people.

The Deputy High Commissioner was receptive to our information and emphasized the importance continuing this work back home. She clearly indicated that her Office would continue to push forward the fight against racism. She noted that it was the NGO`s that pushed for this review conference and that they play an important role in ensuring the DDPA was not forgotten. In closing, we noted that it was important for civil society to work closely with her office to ensure that government`s are accountable for their progress in eliminating racism.

Overall this meeting was a successful in conveying our message that the Canadian government would have received a failing mark under the DDPA or the Conference Review Outcome document. There was still much racism that our government still refuses to address.

Being the sharp end of a stick

2009-04-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

It felt a little bit like lining up at Tim Hortons, waiting in anticipation for that jolt of morning java.

Early this morning some 20 Canadians representing a range of civil society groups who are here at the Durban Review Conference entered from different sides of the massive UN building.

Everyone was very focused, but not on getting a Tim’s coffee. We were looking for the correct pathway in the maze known as Building A that would take us to the 6th floor.

We had a meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Kyung-wha Kang.

We figured, just because Canada has failed to send an official delegation to this important conference, should not hold us back from going to the top and telling the High Commissioners Office what we know to be happening in the struggle to eliminate racism and discrimination.

Our crew was warmly greeted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Our objective, given Canada’s official absence, was to share a few cases of the persistence of racism and discrimination in Canada.

Our crew filled a long boardroom table with representatives from the African Legal Clinic, Canadian Arab Federation, Canadian Council of Churches, Canadian Labour Congress, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, and Independent Jewish Voices.

Margaret Parsons, from ALC outlined civil society groups came together from around the world to participate in workshops before the DRC began. She noted these events were useful and enriching but also difficult due to a shortage of resources and official connection to the DRC.

It was tough, because part of a strategy to try and tank this conference by colonial nations was to withhold thier funding obligations. Had member nations provided their obligatory funding to ensure comprehensive civil society participation the difficulties could have been overcome.

Member nations that opposed this conference either withheld or provided their funding commitments at the last possible minute, thus making organizing efforts for the victims of racism to be present and fully engaged in the process extra ordinarily difficult.

The High Commissioner herself had originally stated this fact to a briefing of all NGO’s who are here just yesterday. Chalk up yet another way to quash the efforts of civil society to contribute to eliminate racism.

After Margaret spoke, members from our crew gave examples of how racism persists in real terms in Canada.

Brian Barron, who is part of our delegation and from CUPE’s Aboriginal Senate, spoke about the situation for aboriginal communities in Canada.

His inputs are also on this blog. See Aboriginal Realities shared with UN High Commission

On behalf of the Congress I noted that all of us are struggling to resist government policies and programs that are embedding systemic racism in the workplace and social fabric.

For example, Canada has joined too many other OECD countries in changing their immigration policies to favour temporary vs. permanent residents. As of 2008, for example the number of migrant workers exceeded 250,000 while the number of permanent resident’s barely topped 240,000.

The result of a series of policy shift creates a disposable and largely racialized workforce. Close to 40% of migrant workers coming to Canada are from countries that are predominantly racialized.

These workers endure inadequate workplace protections, face fraud at the hands of unscrupulous employers/labour brokers and some are victims of human trafficking.

Others simply die on the job like 27 year old Chinese scaffolder, Liu Hongliang and 33 year old electrical engineer Ge Genbao.

Both were killed and 4 others injured in April 2007, when the roof of a massive oil container they were working on collapsed on a CNR /Horizon tar sands project.

Just this week and after two years, the Province of Alberta finally announced the company was now facing 53 charges under the provinces occupational health and safety Act.

The charges describe a situtaion where workers --in this case migrant workers from China, are placed in an unsafe workplace. I wonder if the migrant workers families will ever see justice….

We pointed out that migrant workers and newcomers without status are often trapped in vulnerable relationships with employers. Now that our economy is tanking, we are witnessing large and targeted deportations of migrant workers.

According to a post in the Bullet the very recent workplace raids of April 2-3, 2009 resulted in the arrest of nearly 100 refugee claimants, live-in caregivers, temporary workers and non-status people who have fallen outside of the strict and official compliance with immigration regulations.

41 of the nearly 100 arrested were tricked into signing waivers that removed their right to a hearing and a chance at protection from deportation. They were promised a quick return to Canada and deported on Sunday, 19 April.

At last count, 29 had been removed and many more were awaiting travel documents. It is extremely doubtful these migrants will ever be allowed back into Canada. The last time pressure tactics on this scale were used was during Project Thread in 2003 when 23 Pakistani men were picked up on terrorism charges that were never laid and most were swiftly deported.

That migrant workers are racialized and so easily disposed of, stands as very current example of why Canada would fail the test this UN Review conference is posing for it member nations.

We begin to talk about how we can work with the UN High Commissioner’s Office to hold Canada accountable.

The conference is winding down now, as is our meeting. The Deputy High Commissioner points out the UN office will be following up with those countries –ours included that chose not to participate and will be urging them to get them back to the table.

We agree to work on this project together.

Likely it will take more than the jolt a cup of coffee provides, in this case we will have to be the sharp of the stick to make things happen back home. So what else is new for activists?

Labour movement addresses the Assembly

2009-04-23T03:28:00.001-07:00

Today, Hassan Yussuff, Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress addressed the UN Assembly during the final days of the UN Durban Review Conference.

His inputs were made on behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress, Education International, International Trade Union Confederation and Public Services International.

Here is the text of his inputs.

Joint statement of
Canadian Labour Congress
Education International
International Trade Union Confederation
Public Services International

Durban Review Conference
Geneva, April 20-24, 2009

Delivered by Hassan Yussuff
Secretary Treasurer, Canadian Labour Congress

Thank you for this moment to speak.

Moments in time, though fleeting hold tremendous implications.

The Secretary General welcomed us an important message about the significance of the review conference.

He made clear, now is the moment when we must stand firm on the fundamental principles that bind us.

We have no other choice but to act in ways that demonstrate human rights and dignity for all.

We all face immense social, economic and environmental challenges in this moment. If not now… when will be the moment when we equally and without evasion, truly eliminate racism, discrimination and related intolerance?

The Secretary General appeared to be talking to my country’s empty seat – Canada when he said, “Some nations, who by rights should be helping to forge a path to better future, are not here.”

The international trade union movement knows that leaving the table is not an option.

The international trade union movement has been challenging racism and discrimination in workplaces and our communities for a long time.

Some of our best practices include successful workplace training programs and collective agreement protections that support and advance human rights.

We continue to stand in solidarity with too many who forfeited their lives in the defence of human rights.

Our commitment to this struggle is long standing.

Though we don’t see trade unions reflected in the text, we know our presence lives in the DDPA and we will hold our governments accountable to rid workplaces and communities of the ugly thing that brought us all here.

The text and the DDPA will be tools we will use to combat and eradicate the worst of ideologies –the mistaken notion that some are not equal.

No document is perfect, and it is with great regret that still some categories of people vulnerable to racism, xenophobia and discrimination have received an inadequate measure of justice for reasons of cast, sexual orientation or gender.

It is unfortunate the Millennium Development Goals were not framed as a key link to unshackle us from the bonds of system forms of racism and xenophobia.

We will continue to monitor and admonish governments who failed to sign, ratify or implement international mechanisms such as ILO standards; the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, rights of people with disabilities or migrant worker’s rights.

We will use DDPA and the DRC outcome document to pressure our governments to ensure we all have access to decent jobs; good working conditions;; equal pay for equal work; end the persistence of discrimination in the world of work which for too long has enabled racial discrimination.

My time is nearly up, let’s hope ours is not.

Photos the Surialanga Dance Compagny, same dance presented at the opening of the DRC Conference

2009-04-22T05:04:00.000-07:00

Photos Assembly Hall conference DRC 20th -22 nd April

2009-04-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT FORM THE GLOBAL TRADE UNIONS

2009-04-22T02:56:00.000-07:00

CONFÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE INTERNATIONALE (CSI) CSI en ligne062/210409 Conférence de l'ONU sur le racisme Bruxelles, le 22 avril 2009 (CSI en ligne): Des représentants de membres de Global Unions et une délégation composée de plus de quarante syndicalistes issus de 25 organisations syndicales nationales participent activement à la Conférence, qui fera le point sur l'application de la Déclaration et du programme d'action de Durban 2001 contre le racisme, la discrimination raciale, la xénophobie et les formes connexes d'intolérance. Des syndicalistes en provenance des quatre coins du monde prennent part aux travaux de la Conférence, qui a lee lundi 20 avril. Par leur mobilisation, les syndicats réaffirment leur engagement en faveur de l'éradication de la discrimination raciale et de la xénophobie dans le monde du travail. La journée préparatoire du 19 avril, intitulée « Vers la conférence de Durban », qui s'adressait aux syndicats et s'est tenue au siège de l'Organisation internationale du travail (OIT), à Genève, a donné lieu à une session d'orientation, suivie d'un débat à l'issue duquel les participants ont convenu de souscrire à la Déclaration conjointe de la société civile et des États membres concernant leur participation à la Conférence de Durban. Celle-ci appelle les parties à participer de façon constructive, en assumant leurs responsabilités sans renoncer au dialogue, qui est le propre de tels forums mondiaux. Par ailleurs, les syndicalistes ont assisté à un événement parallèle organisé par l'OIT et intitulé « Combattre la discrimination raciale par le travail décent. » Guy Ryder, secrétaire général de la CSI a salué « les progrès engrangés dans la lutte contre la discrimination raciale par les syndicats représentés au sein de la délégation syndicale nombreuse et a insisté sur le fait que le travail décent constituait un instrument important dans la lutte contre tout type de discrimination. » Les syndicats restent fermes dans l'exercice de leur droit à la participation en tant que parties prenantes de la société civile. La CSI, l'IE et l'ISP oeuvrent conjointement pour faire en sorte que cette conférence atteigne les objectifs projetés, avec l'adoption d'un document de référence qui nous permette de faire des progrès significatifs dans la lutte contre le racisme, la xénophobie et toutes les formes d'intolérance, principalement vis-à-vis des groupes les plus vulnérables qui sont aussi ceux qui en ont le plus besoin. Déclaration syndicale à la Conférence des Nations unies sur le racisme : http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/20090422112751-Microsoft_Word_-_UN_Durban_II_Statement_21_abril__FR__2_.pdf

Statement by
the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC),
Public Services International (PSI) and Education International (EI)
to the United Nations Conference on the review of the Durban declaration and action plan (South Africa – 2001) concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

The International Trade Union confederation (ITUC), Public Services International (PSI) and Education international (EI), fully support the holding of this Conference, considering it to be of major importance, particularly within the current context in which discrimination of every kind is worsening and having serious repercussion not only on the workers concern on the working of our economies and societies in general.

The trade union movement expresses its commitment to the Conference goal to eradicate racism, discrimination and related intolerances. The ITUC, PSI and EI appreciate the challenges and constructive efforts made to adopt the outcome document as this Review Conference.
The international trade union movement will continue to hold member States accountable rough their national commitments to combat and eradicate racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.
The international trade union movement deplores that certain categories of people vulnerable to racism and xenophobia have received inadequate attention through this Conference process, specifically those who are discriminated against for reasons of cast, sexual orientation or gender.
In addition, the international trade union movement has observed that important gaps remain, particularly as regards discrimination in the world of work, since despite the legislative progress in some countries on equality issues; discrimination at work remains the principal form of racial discrimination.

The international trade movement is also very concerned that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are not presented as key link in the chain of actions for fighting racism and xenophobia. Failing to fill this gap will come at the risk of missing the main point of this Conference.
For these reasons, and with a view to ensuring respect of human and employment-related rights, the international trade union movement will continue to advocate that member States implement the following:
A universal approach should predominate, both in the identification of problems and in the search for solutions. The governments need to reaffirm their commitment to the goals and principles of equality and non-discrimination contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The governments must ensure that all the victims are recognized and benefit from adequate responses to the problems of discrimination they face.
2. Respect for the universal right of all to a decent work, good working conditions, equal pay and adequate income to cover their essential economic and social needs.
3. Recognition of the existing international legal framework and, above all, an emphasis on the importance of the ratification and concrete application of these standards, in particular ILO standards, through their transposition into national legislation.
4. A preventive approach must be a vital component of all policies for combating racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination. Investigations, sanctions and compensation for the victims must also be considered as preventive measures.
The trade union movement calls upon members States to use decent work as a tool to combat all forms of discrimination, by reaffirming their commitment to the creation of healthy, just and equitable economies, through the implementation of strategies aimed at productive and full employment.

Geneva, April 21, 2009

Canada's empty seat is noticed

2009-04-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Monday April 20.09

Walking through the gates to access the Main Assembly of United Nations, you pass between the flags of nearly 200 some countries on the planet. This place works hard to be representative of the planet

Those headed to work in this building are speaking many languages; they are also as colourful as the flags lining the walk.

The aura of diversity and inclusivity in this place is also evident in the long walkways and hallways which host intriguing posters, photo displays and presentations. The hallway that takes our delegation to the Assembly Hall for example has a powerful set of panels that convey the horrific reality of the Trans Atlantic slave trade.

Walking alongside me are their descendants of this racist history who have come here to advocate for justice and reparations so that we can all move forward as equals.

Due to the large number of civil society organizations that have come to this conference, and limited number of seats in the Assembly Hall a badge system is in play. Every NGO delegation can only have one access badge to enter the Hall and these limited seats are further distributed between the ground floor and two upper floors that overlook the main hall.

Getting the single badge for our 11 person delegation requires me to line up each day at 7am. We share the badge so that interested members can enter for part of the day’s agenda each day. The conference proceedings are also broadcast into another Hall so others can monitor things via simulcast. At the same time, a number of side events are taking place addressing issues such combating racism in the world of work; migrant workers rights; transatlantic slave trade, or issues specific to the Asian community.

Inside the Assembly Hall, UN member country seats occupy three rows of the centre and face the podium where UN officials sit. Near the front of the alphabetically spread of countries is Canada’s seat, which for this conference will remain empty.

Canada’s seat is empty.

The Conservative governments’ decision not to participate in this conference long before a single paragraph of the draft outcomes text was even written, occupies the vacancy of the Canada’s seat in the Assembly Hall with disgrace. Throughout our time here, international comrades’ remark they once knew Canada to be a champion of human rights and now ask with puzzlement, “why is your government not here? “

Immigration Minister Jason Kenny had said Canada would boycott this conference early in 2008. One activist noted the term ‘boycott’ implies certain credibility as justification to shun participation. The Canadian government’s absence here carries no such integrity.

Canada’s decision to withdraw from a UN process intended to assess what each country has done to eliminate racism, discrimination and related intolerances since 2001 based on the DDPA is like a kid who opts to skip the test because they know they will get a failing grade.

Racism is pernicious reality for aboriginal peoples, African Canadians and racialized communities and newcomers in our workplaces and communities.

This reality is confronted on a daily basis for our communities who struggle with disproportionate levels of poverty, lack of access to decent work, education, housing and healthcare. All color coded inequalities that are on the rise in Canada. With economic conditions continuing to deteriorate, these equality seeking communities will continue to suffer disproportionately.

Today’s opening session included a powerful commentary by the Secretary General of the UN. In a just a few poignant sentences he outlined there comes a time in humankind affairs when we must stand firm on the fundamental principles that bind us. There comes a time when we have no other choice but to affirm and act in ways that demonstrate human rights and dignity for all – that time is now, he said.

He noted the immense challenges of our current moment in time are when the fight to eliminate racism must become a paramount concern. The Secretary Treasurer seemed to talking to Canada’s empty seat, when he said, “some nations, who by rights should be helping to forge a path to better future, are not here.” He made it clear exiting from the task is not an option, if you’re serious about changing the past and charting an equal future for all.

Despite the Canadian government absence our delegation will nonetheless work with other allies and lobby governments delegations that are here to strengthen the outcomes document which is intended to provide a follow up mechanism for governments to eliminate racism in their national action plans and policies.

We are also networking with talented civil society groups and nearly 60 representatives from other unions attending this conference under the banner of the International Trade Union Conference. Together we have analyzed the outcomes document and noted specific changes that would improve the national actions designed to eliminate racism, discrimination and related intolerances in the workplace.

I join a small group of ITUC comrades to condense our proposals for specific language into one page. The changes we are prioritizing would commit nations to adequately resource national initiatives; to urge States to sign on to relevant ILO conventions; to urge States to sign on and implement actions that will support the rights of migrant workers and their families; strengthen the capacity of labour inspectorates to identify discrimination that is based on race, gender, ethnic, religious or cultural identify at work and for the document to properly acknowledge the role of the labour movement in the struggle to eliminate racism and discrimination.

Because we only have one badge that enables access to the main hall where government delegates can be easily found, (though we have found ways to get a few additional badges) delegates take shifts working the room with our one pager advocating for these changes to the outcomes document.

The afternoon promises to be electric because the first speaker is the President of Iran…

More on that in the next post I hope ….

post by |Karl Flecker
National Director
CLC Anti-racism and Human Rights Dept.

Link for DRC/ Lien pour DRC

2009-04-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
Here is the United Nations link to the Durban Review Conference
www.un.org/durbanreview2009

Bonjour!
Voici le lien pour la Conférence d'examen de Durban
www.un.org/durbanreview2009

ITUC meeting at the ILO building April 19th near the Palais des Nations.Geneva

2009-04-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Photos of the Durban Review Conference Monday April 20th.

2009-04-20T05:08:00.000-07:00

Civil Society Forum 17th to 19th of April, Geneva

2009-04-20T05:02:00.001-07:00

manifestation demo United against racism

2009-04-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

Photos of the pre-com DRC

2009-04-20T01:57:00.000-07:00

A view on Friday

2009-04-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

Friday April 17th.DRC conference.

Here’s a short version of what my day was like on Friday during the Durban pre-com. We left early morning to join the rest of the delegation for the preparatory conference committee meeting. Unfortunaly the general meeting at 11h00 was adjourned and the pre-com would be back at 15h00 to finish at 18h00.

We had already prepared the draft joint statement that CLC , the African Canadian legal Clinic and the Canadian Arab Federation on Thursday evening.

We heard at 1:30 pm through our networks that there would be a non-governmental organisations (NGO) meeting at 14h00 till 15h00 in the section XVI of the UN building.

A few of us did go and seek out more information about this meeting. We quickly realised during that brief session that the NGO session is also chaired by the same chair for the Durban review. We also realized that many NGO’s have very good inquiries and were well prepared for this conference.

We discovered that the NGO committee for the Durban review is not fully funded but funded only by a minimal amount of budget from the High Commissionaire.

It was also becoming clear that NGO’s were not getting the support needed to properly and fully participate at Conference. There was disagreement among Member State delegates about what kind of support NGO’s should be given due to concerns about some specific issues raised by the NGO’s.

We learned as well that the NGO delegations must register every morning to be able to get badges to speak on the UN floor during the#9 point of the agenda. It will be on a first-come first-serve basis and we heard that there will be about of 400 NGO delegates – much less than at Durban I.

We then went back to the pre-com 3rd and final session. We did manage to draft a joint Press Release during the last period the Pre-Conference Committee was not in session.

Terri who had volunteered to read the statement had the opporunity to read it in the afternoon. She did an excellent presentation and our statement was a success to a point that many state delegates and NGO members where asking for a draft of the statement .... Because Member State delegates and NGO participants were requesting a copy and we didn’t know if we would be able to access them during the conference,we finalized the statement and distributed at the end of the meeting.

We also planned to do more copies and present them in the beginning of the Durban Conference next week. The outcome document did finally pass at end of the Preparatory
Conference Committee session without any State delegates having a copy to review it. The reason why, is because the President of the committee was still finalizing the outcome and was not available to be at the pre-com final session.

Our day at the UN was almost finished, we finalized the Press release in light of our statement and we were pleased of its achievements for the day. We realised that much more still needs to be done and to be shared with our members to continue to talk against any discrimination or racism around the world.

We didn’t have much time but we rushed for supper so that we can go to the opening of the Civil Society Forum. And there we had many interesting speakers speaking out against any types or forms of discrimination and racism.

Our day finished off at 22h30.

Danielle Dubuc

For the Canadian labour Congress delegation of the Durban Conference Review in Geneva.
National Equal Opportunity Representative for Racially Visible Members
for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Social and Economic implications at Durban

2009-04-19T05:41:00.001-07:00

Civil Society Forum organizers asked representatives of the Canadian Labour Congress delegation to speak at thier forum. Below is the presentation made by Karl Flecker, National Director CLC Anti-Racism & Human Rights Dept.

Greetings companeros, campaneras, comrades, allies’ brothers and sisters.

Organizers asked me to make a few inputs this morning addressing our collective struggle to combat against racism within the context of the current social and economic crisis.

It occurred to me do this on a Saturday morning in Geneva is a struggle of another sort.

It also occurred to me that to make a few inputs (after a lot of sitting and listening) on topics as weighty as economic and social crisis is interesting perhaps only to a select hard core crowd.

If I can be so blunt, addressing a theme like this is a bit like peeing down your leg. It might feel hot to you –but perhaps not so much to everyone else.

Speaking of unpleasant moments--- I was reminded of just how powerful, painful and liberating it can be to tackle social and economic challenges linked to racism.

I like to make my inputs personal –so bear with me. About 18 years ago my partner and I bought our first and only home. Our first child was pretty new to the world and our 2nd enroute in just a matter of a few months. My family is part of the hybrid generation –I’m the brown one, she is the white one –and the kids refer to themselves as hybrids.

Now buying a house is a major social and economic moments in some people’s lives. This place was a wreck of a house located on the rough side of town and barely affordable. Everything needed fixing –including a fence that separated us from our neighbour’s yard.

I went to talk with my neighbour about repairing it – and hoped to build a relationship with them too. Unfortunately, the colour shift my family represented was not to their liking. Words –venomous racist words and actions was the welcome mat our neighbours felt most comfortable putting between us.

For the next long time, racist insults and attacks was our new reality in our new home. These neighbours were tough – they were known to the police for a range of ugly and criminal behaviors that ranged from assaults to desecration of human remains.

We were scared and angry.

But so too were our other neighbours’ – and buried here is the nugget of hope we want to find in humanity.

For weeks, others in our hood witnessed the abuse, the verbal and physical attacks our family struggled with. And it affected them deeply- much more deeply than I could ever know.

One day, one neighbour knocked on my door and wanted to talk. He said, we have been watching and hurting and we can’t sit by any longer. He said, we have been meeting and talking and we are now prepared to act. We know these neighbours have a history of violent conflict with law –and we want to act in solidarity and safety for your well being and ours. It is risky we know, but continuing to do nothing is not an option.

He told me, we are going to say no to this neighbour –as a community. We are going to their home and say it stops now. The message will be delivered through a simple medium a yard sale, strategically located across from their house. The yard sale has a theme: Thumbs down on Racism and we have made hundreds of t-shirts and posters to make the message clear.

We are inviting these neighbours to join us- to be part of a community that will not tolerate racism in any form – the yard sale is merely a small vehicle to deliver a bigger message.

I was stunned. I had never experienced non-racialized strangers willingly undertake my struggle. And these were strangers to each other; this small group of neighbours did not truly know each other until they watched what was happening to us. The ugly picture of racism in their hood, made them look at each other deeply.

On the appointed day, hundreds and hundreds of people showed up. The neighbourhood was filled with many wearing their t-shirt proclaiming Thumbs down on Racism. My racist neighbour who held a firmly black and white world view – now faced a multi-coloured, peacefully vibrant and resolute new world picture.

Soon months after –these neighbours relocated, quietly in the dark of night. Another neighbour bought the house and invited the neighbourhood to join him to undertake a massive repair and restoration. His goal, because he is an artist, –was to make something new, creative, fresh and welcoming oh…. and anti-racist. And so we did.

Comrades our struggle to eliminate racism from our social and economic house faces a number of contemporary challenges. Here are just three.

The failure of the financial system –or more accurately, the failure of a rigorous financial regulatory system has brought devastating job losses, livelihoods and lost homes for too many.

The art of cutting up massive debt into tranches of murky and obscure securitization vehicles and credit derivatives also enabled an elite circle to stow away obscene profits and bonuses.

Our task of combating racism must consider the colour coded impacts of this regulatory criminality and the subsequent economic solutions that are being proffered.

Some of us have heard the refrain that corporate players like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Chrysler, AIG, General Motors and Citigroup are "too big to fail". The song goes like this; their collapse would cause "systemic risk" to our economies by implication and association.

To avoid such risks, some wealthy nations are spending trillions of dollars on bank bailouts and stimulus plans.

In terms of global social and economic terms for our struggle, we must bring to the bail out table this colour coded fact. The global south –which hosts the world’s majority peoples –the racialized and colourful comprise more than 47% of the world's $55tn economy, and this cohort, is the source of more than half of all OECD country imports.

Yet the global south is home to some 3 billion people living on less than $2.50 a day. Certainly our quest for racial justice must respond to this economic and social reality.

More than the corporations, ---our world is too big to fail.

Comrades- in light of this global economic picture and our struggle I ask you are we examining the DRC and draft outcomes text with the bold goal of ensuring that access to decent jobs; fair trade and investment rules, and a daring commitment to the MDG goals are the norm and not the anomaly?

On the weighty and hot issue of climate change, we can speculate that coastal and colourful communities will most dramatically feel the watery and devastating impacts of excessive carbon production.

As many countries embrace notions of a green industrial strategy –should we not use a darker brush in the rush to get on the green bandwagon?

Comrades should we look at the impending environmental crisis as an opportunity to advocate for colour coded investments and initiatives in conservation programs, energy efficient building and retrofits, urban mass transit initiatives, the re-engineering of neighbourhoods to provide green centric recreational, cultural and social infrastructure.

Within the DRC process should we argue for the use of a darker hue in determining who gets the green jobs; where green centric services should be comprehensively located and how communities get re-engineered?

Finally, for those who travelled here by plane, train or some such border crossing and did not endure a “random” security check –congratulations.

For those who endured an undignified and perhaps unwarranted random frisk and query of your ancestry our task to eliminate racism must be prepared to challenge overzealous security and surveillance initiatives that rely on racial and religious profiling.

Did you know the US has a terror suspect watch list that contains more than a million names and 20,000 additional names are added monthly; oh and it has an error rate of nearly 40%.

Meanwhile my country Canada has put in a place a national program to develop a risk profile assessment on every citizen. It operates on the premise that everyone is guilty until proven innocent – everyone who travels by plane, boat, train or sea will be assessed for their potential as a security threat. Data files are shared with homeland security and kept on record for 40 years. Think of travel as getting a colour coded pass, green means you are good to go –yellow means take a seat, and red means give it up and say goodbye. Perhaps you can imagine how fairly this program will assess it’s increasingly racially and religious diverse citizenry.

Comrades, should we monitor the DRC process for the role it may be playing to ostensible build a more secure and safe world?

I started my input by sharing with you the story of my house and neighbourhood—it is my personal story of excitement and hope on life’s road of some tough times.

I hope I also shared with you the sense that it is possible to rebuild a different kind of local neighbourhood and perhaps even a global community.

To this day, my neighbourhood continues to change--always for the better because of courage, perseverance and patience

Thank you comrades for yours.

Karl Flecker
National Director
CLC Anti-Racism and Human Rights Dept.

Day one in Durban

2009-04-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Representatives from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the Ontario Federation of Labour who are part of the Canadian Labour Congress delegation, participated in the opening session of the third substantial prepartory Durban review conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The chair's comments of progress had been made on the langage on the draft outcome document, made us optimistic that we would come to a final draft document by Friday April, 17,2009.

However our review of the current draft document leads us to the opinion, that many contentious issues of importance to labour are still outstanding.

Consequently, we will be spending a lot of time prior to Friday, lobbying key goverment delegates to ensure labour's position is part of the final outcome document.

Benita Raponi

Union Representative
CUPW Metro Toronto Region

2009-04-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

Première impression de la conférence d’examen de Durban à Genève aux Nations Unis. 15 avril 2009.

Notre première journée à la conférence d’examen de Durban a été une journée plutôt pour se familiariser avec les lieux ainsi que le processus de négociation et notre rôle comme activiste syndicale.

Nous sommes aux rencontres du comité préparatoire et leur troisième rapport de fond.
La conférence était remplie des délégués, des membres d’organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) et des médias.

Nous avons eu accès à la plus part des documentations ainsi que la lettre d’ouverture de LA HAUTE COMMISSAIRE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE DES NATIONS UNIS. Ms Navaethem Pillay.

La conférence a durée près d’une heure et après il y a eu ajournement de la rencontre pour que le comité préparatoire puisse finaliser des points du dernier rapport.

Ce que je peux constater est que ce comité a fait un travail de moine pour que tout le texte soit bien représenté et qu’il y a consensus des délégués avant publication.
Il et important de noter que les syndicats ne sont pas mentionné dans la Déclaration de Durban en 2001.

Par contre, dan le Plan d’action 2001, les syndicats sont mentionné à quelques reprises dans certains paragraphes.

Nous avec le CTC, nous sommes par la suite fait une autre révision sur l’ébauche du rapport présenté le 9 avril et Des amendements présentés s du CSI du 17 mars.
Un résumé a été fait et une feuille de recommandations du CTC sur l’ébauche du document dater du 15 avril a été finalisé.

Nous prévoyons voir avec ses documents si nous pouvons pas faire du réseautage et influencer de mettre la notion du marché du travail (labour market) et des syndicats dans la documentation finale. Nous avons eu aussi l’occasion de rencontrer des ONG Canadien; Ms. Marie Chen Africain Civil Consul et M. Mohamed Boujenane de La Fédération Canado-Arabe (CAF).

Avec eux, nous avons fait une proposition de discuter de l’influence des enjeux économiques et comment cela affecte la discrimination de toutes sortes au Canada.
La journée a terminé vers 17h30.

Nous prévoyons arriver tôt demain pour faire le suivi avec les autres délégués.

Danielle Dubuc

Canadian Labour Congress Durban dispatch #1

2009-04-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

Not long after the plane landed, the Canadian Labour Congress delegation was quick to get to work. The CLC delegation includes Karl Flecker, Hassan Yussuff from the CLC and members from PSAC Seema Lamba, Danielle Dubuc; CUPW, Irwin Nanda, Fred Turner, Benita Raponi, OFL Terry Downey CUPE members Brian Barron, Yolanda McLean, Harminder Magon.

We have all travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the UN Review Conference which is assessing the progress member nations of the UN are making to eliminate racism.

After getting the credentials needed to enter the famous United Nations building at Palais des Nations in Geneva, delegates listened to the opening comments from Ms. Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She reminded everyone this UN Review Conference is intended to take stock of progress and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), a landmark anti-racism document that was agreed by consensus at the end of the 2001 World Summit against Racism in Durban, South Africa.

Eight years on, anti-racism pledges and measures have not yet succeeded in relegating discriminatory practices and intolerance to the heap of historys repugnant debris, said Pillay. As our Canadian labour delegation knows too well, the goals set out in the 2001 DDPA have still not been achieved. Pillay states this reality should prompt member nations of the UN to seek common ground and move the struggle against racism forward. She stressed the tools and capacity for achieving the goals outlined in the DDPA are within reach if we remain committed to those objectives. Pillay urged delegates to transcend their differences and find consensus.

We learned from Russian diplomat Yuri Boychenko, who chairs the working group tasked with preparing the critical outcomes document for the conference that for many months there has been extensive consultations with UN member nations that has produced a new 17-page draft text or rolling text. He expressed hope this new version, would meet the concerns of all delegations and could be adopted by consensus.

As union members we take note of the efforts to find agreeable language that will guide all member nations to accurately identify various sources of racism, implement and share their best ideas, policies and programs in order to counter, challenge and eliminate racism. The job is huge and the task of getting the language and the needed action right is not easy.

The opening comments of the UN session expose how difficult the process has been to date. We can see that those here are trying to use a consensus model to find the right language that will respect many different perspectives.

The Canadian governments decision to withdraw from the UN process is a shameful abdication of multilateral responsibility. The persistence of colour coded economic and social disparity facing the growing number of racialized and aboriginal persons throughout Canada makes the Canadian governments absence here all the more disgraceful.

The opening session of day one comes to a close early, so the working group can continue their task of finalizing the draft outcomes document also known as the rolling text document.

We move onto the assembly hall floor to meet the UN ambassadors and ministers including the Chair of todays plenary session. Our other goal is to get a copy of the most recent revised text.

Our delegation finds a meeting spot in the middle of the UN reception area overlooking beautiful view of Lake Geneva. We begin the task of reviewing the draft document, looking for critical issues to the labour movement.

We note there are few references to workers and trade unions. We note the absence of a clear pronouncement supporting the freedom of association rights for migrant workers; modest language calling for a rigorous legal and policy regime and national legislation that will support concrete anti-racism initiatives in the workplace and our communities.

Our review of the documents brings up items like how reparations are being addressed. For example, while the documents contain language for member nations to recall and honour the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, apartheid, colonialism and genocide; and although there is acknowledgment of the actions taken by countries to express remorse, offer apologies and establish truth and reconciliation commission; we note that specific articles fail to urge member nations to pursue and implement reparations for these horrific crimes of racism.

We discuss a number of issues examining what we like and what is missing or text that could be strengthened and enhanced. We prepare a short document summarizing our inputs. We agree to work in small groups introducing ourselves as Canadian union members to the UN representatives, NGO representatives and to advocate for improved language to the draft text based on our analysis.

As the day draws to a close, it is clear to our delegation we will be on our feet, meeting and engaging in global negotiations over the next few days-to secure the best possible language, ideas, policies and legislative actions that can free us all from the pernicious grip of racism.

Dispatches from Geneva: is a daily blog from the Canadian Labour Congress delegation attending the UN Durban Review Conference. Prepared by Karl Flecker, CLC National Director Human Rights and Anti-Racism Dept. Karl Flecker National Director Anti - Racism and Human Rights Dept. Canadian Labour Congress 613.526.7406 Direct line
(am:cope*225)

Greetings from The Civil Society Forum 17th to 19th of April, Geneva

2009-04-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

For the past 2 days we attended the Civil Society Forum, the debates alternated between guest speakers and group work sessions, discussing many thematic issues like anti-black racism, discrimination and xenophobia against migrants, trafficked persons, multiple discrimination against women: interface of race and sex and discrimination against indigenous peoples, including environmental racism.

CLC is proud that Karl Flecker was also a guest speaker at this forum. The thematic of his discussion was on discrimination and socio-economics.

The Forum in consultation with non-governmental organisations (NGO) will be proposing to sign a common declaration that will be presented the Durban Review Conference.

There was also a demonstration for an International March against Racism organised by the Swiss organisations. The starting place was at the Place de Neuve in the old downtown Geneva.

We were around 800 hundreds people that showed up and many NGO organisations had their flags and banners with them, it’s the first international anti-racism demonstration in Geneva.

On this bright sunny afternoon, There was a convivial atmosphere and very engaged activists that participated in this very pacifist demonstration. We hope to see many of those members at the conference DRC next Monday morning...

Racism still poses tremendous threat to justice and wellbeing of people around the globe and has powerful actors seek to erode and prevent the UN programmes and commitments against racism from being realized. Thus there is a greater need than ever for Civil Society to come together in support of the implementation of the agreed UN framework against racism and plan for renewed activities and work against racism & racial discrimination.

The Civil society forum is organised on request by the NGO’S Civil Society organisations from all parts of the world.

This event helps the Canadian NGO’s and the Canadian Labour of Congress delegations to network and exchange concrete issues for the DRC conference.

« All united against racism!»
Danielle Dubuc
For the Canadian Labour Congress delegation at the Durban Conference Review in Geneva.
Racial visible Equal opportunity representative for Public Service Alliance of Canada

Joint Statement from Cdn civil Society to Prep Com

2009-04-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

On the final day of the UN Prep Com meeting, our delegation joined with other civil society groups to make a joint statement to the Prep Com mtg.

Below is the statement that was delivered by Terry Downey OFL Vice President and member of the CLC delegation.

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS,
AFRICAN CANADIAN LEGAL CLINIC AND
CANADIAN ARAB FEDERATION

Durban Review Conference Preparatory Committee
Third Substantive Session
April 17, 2009, Geneva

The following Canadian civil society groups have come together to make the following statement to the preparatory committee of the Durban Review Conference.

Canadian Labour Congress
African Canadian Legal Clinic
Canadian Arab Federation
Metro Toronto Chinese and South East Asian Clinic
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
National Anti-Racism Council of Canada
Colour of Poverty network
Karuna Community Services
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Canada)

As civil society we are here to affirm our commitment to this Conference. Despite our multicultural makeup, we in Canada continue to face many and serious challenges with racism in all spheres of society. Racism is a harsh everyday reality for Aboriginal and racialized communities who suffer disproportionate levels of poverty, access to decent employment, and social services such as education, housing and healthcare.

Aboriginal peoples continue to struggle against extreme poverty, social exclusion and violation of their human, environmental and land rights. African-Canadians struggle against colour coded economic disparity, criminalization and racial profiling.Arabs and Muslims continue to face hate crimes, racial and religious targeting by overzealous security legislation. Arab Canadians such as Mahar Arar, Abousfian Abdelrazik, have been marooned in their birth countries by our government. They have been subjected to torture and horrific human rights violations because of flawed anti-terrorism measures and wilful political negligence.

Other struggles include the long standing need for full recognition of the rights of migrant workers and their families; and for equal recognition of those with international credentials seeking to live and work in Canada. These are just some of the fundamental issues facing us all and which the DRC must deal with.

Though it appears the Canadian government does not care enough about these fundamental and colour coded human rights issues we are here to demand these rights be truly respected and promoted.

Within the next decade, racialized people will be the dominant players in the workforce and in many of our cities. Racial inequalities in Canada are on the rise and as economic conditions continue to deteriorate, members of racialized and Aboriginal communities will experience disproportionate forms of racism. Within this context, it is critical that Canada must embrace and should be part of this process.

We are here to share with the international community our tremendous disappointment with our government’s withdrawal from this important and critical international conference. We consider the Canadian government’s shameful withdrawal as a failure to conform to its UN obligations.

Your work is invaluable and the outcome of this Conference is of great significance to racialized and Aboriginal peoples in Canada and around the world. We urge you to set the conditions to combat racism high – the circumstances and time that has already passed require a high standard.

Know this, with or without our government, Canadian civil society will continue to fight with you to eliminate racism.

Media Contacts:
Karl Flecker: Canadian Labour Congress 011.613.614.7065
Margaret Parsons: African Canadian Legal Clinic 011-41-76-286-6578
Mohamed Boudjenane, Canadian Arab Federation 011.613.614.7065

End of the prep com and where is the text?

2009-04-17T00:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday, the last day of the preparatory conference held in Geneva in October 2008 it was apparent that considerable distance separated a number of the UN member nations in their efforts to reach a satisfactory draft outcomes document. Much of the proposed language for the final document was controversial.

Some wanted to improve specific clauses by inserting language that placed more responsibility on member states. Others were intent on diminishing the text with nuance. Some member states were not prepared to accept the status quo, and the question was obvious why review without improving efforts to eliminate racism?

What could improve this draft outcomes text?

Our delegation felt that specific improvements were important to demand.

First and foremost maintaining the first clauses that affirm the Durban Declaration and that Programme of Action as was adopted by all parties in 2001 we felt was critical. We had heard the US delegation was not prepared to affirm this principle clause and argued their participation was contingent on the point.

Beyond that other specific text improvements we argued for included;

• Naming that a lack of access to decent jobs enables racism.

• Supporting major reforms in international trade and investment deals is long overdue and related to systemic forms of racism and discrimination.

• Calling for exhaustive reforms to the global financial and regulatory system including tough sanctions for abuse and criminality.

• We observed this draft omitted references to unions unlike the DDPA which frequently cited unions. We advocated to delegates that when employers are mentioned in the text than it is important to equally reference unions, who have led workplace initiatives to identify, challenge and eliminate racism.

• We argued the text needs to refer to and demand member nation’s commitment to actions that include ‘effective implementation mechanisms”, implying that a real monitoring and assessment process must be applied.

• We noted the need for greater clarity in acknowledging the intersectional impacts of race, gender, and class. Further more member nations must ensure their national action plans are designed to counter these factors.

• We argued that efforts are needed to link actions to other agreed upon initiative that have specific goals and time tables such as the Millennium Development Goals.

• Those member nations who have not signed international instruments like the Convention to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families & the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, must commit to doing so and take tangible steps to make these commitments’ meaningful.

• We believe that extending the use of law and enforcement mechanisms is needed for more than hate crimes –it is also needed for anti-racism/anti-discrimination measures. For example –managers, who are responsible for implementing EE programs, need to find out in their pay cheque the consequences of not implementing EE in the workplace rather than getting bonuses.

Closed door strategy

Much of the work leading up to this prepatory session was held behind closed doors between October 2008 and April 2009. In the 3 days leading up to the Review Conference, the pattern continued, and once again behind closed doors, the strategy to deal with the growing controversy was simply to remove divisive language.

This could not have been done without compromises.

It appeared the removal specific language had two goals;

1) To encourage countries such as the US and Canada that were not in attendance to make an appearance next week at the Durban Review Conference.

2) To appease countries and regional blocks like the EU, Italy, Australia, and the Netherlands that were threatening to leave.

One of the member nation delegates reacted to this strategy by describing the document as a meal that has ‘no feel, no taste, no smell and if other countries wanted to leave, they won't be missed, nor miss much.’ Anti-racist and human rights activists felt this description hit the mark.

In our conversations with delegates from civil society from around the world we heard scepticism about what some governments have done within their countries since 2001, when the DDPA was agreed upon. In other cases, we were impressed to learn of initiatives that improved cultural awareness amongst young and old, and human rights training in workplaces.

As the day neared a close on Friday, the pressure was on for member delegates to either approve the draft text with all its flaws and shortcomings or admit to failure. The choice was loaded with public implications.

The Chair posed the question to the delegates; do your support the draft? In almost a blink – it was approved. Oddly, we noticed, that the closed door process continued right up to the end. One delegate quietly said, ‘we are improving the text –but none of us actually has the final copy in front of us!’ –

Why? The chair was still behind closed doors finalizing wording.