6 September 2001
Delegates resumed discussions on Wednesday to find a way of reaching a compromise with regards to the wording of the text of the final declaration in relation to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Reports said representatives from about five countries were locked in discussion and were focusing on a draft text that had been put forward by South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The draft text is now subject to negotiation by delegates from Belgium, on behalf of the European Union, the Arab League, Norway, Namibia and South Africa, which is chairing the conference. On Monday the United States and Israel walked out of the conference in protest at the language in the conference's draft documents, that accused Israel of "racist" practices against the Palestinians.
Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told a press briefing on Monday that there had been a great deal of sadness and dismay over the announcement that the United States and Israel were to withdraw their delegates from the Conference. "Nonetheless, it was encouraging to see the constructive spirit of the delegates to continue under the leadership of the President of the Conference, Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma." Robinson said the Conference President had quickly convened the General Committee on Tuesday night and proposed that all the language relating to the Middle East be withdrawn from the text. If there was agreement on that, she would propose a way of ensuring substitute language, which hopefully would be agreed. "It was clear overnight that all parties agreed to this course under her leadership and she has now proposed that South Africa will prepare an initial draft and she is then proposing to put together a small group", the High Commissioner said.
The EU had given its delegation until Wednesday night to try and find some kind of compromise and or consensus on the Arab-Israeli issue in the conference text.
Splits over slavery issue
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told IRIN on Wednesday that another split could be in the offing over the issue of slavery and reparations. "Some of those calling for reparations have hardened their stance and it seems that they are not budging. It also seems as of those being called upon to pay for slavery have hardened their attitudes. I don't know how an agreement is going to be reached in this kind of climate of no compromise. I am afraid we might just see some European countries pack their bags and follow Washington's lead," a diplomatic source told IRIN. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin said on Wednesday that France and the EU would follow in the footsteps of the US and Israel and quit the conference, if delegates were determined to equate Zionism with racism.
Reports on Wednesday said that the African bloc had called upon those states which practised, benefited or enriched themselves from slavery, the slave trade, including the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and colonialism to provide reparations.
Hereros up the ante in reparations drives
The Chief Hosea Kutako Foundation has instituted a legal claim against three German companies for US $2 billion in reparations, 'The Namibian' said on Wednesday. The newspaper quoted Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako, who heads the Foundation as saying that a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank, Terex Corporation and Woermann Line (now known as SAFmarine) lodged in Washington DC, would be followed by one against the German government.
The foundation has accused the three German companies of forming a "brutal alliance" with imperial Germany to "exterminate" over 65,000 Hereros between 1904 and 1907. The Hereros have, in the past, taken various steps including handing over a formal request to the then President of Germany, Roman Herzog, when he visited Namibia in March 1998 in an effort to be compensated. During his visit, Herzog said the Hereros could not claim any compensation from Germany as international rules on the protection of rebels and the civilian population were not in existence at the time of the conflict.
World's greatest challenge is HIV/AIDS - Robinson
Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told a discussion forum on the link between HIV/AIDS and racism that the greatest human rights challenge facing the world today is the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Robinson said that HIV/AIDS had to be addressed as a human rights issue to effectively challenge the stigma, discrimination and intolerance suffered by those infected with the virus. She said the majority of those infected belong to groups which are vulnerable to racism and discrimination and this impedes their access to medicine and health care.
The panel also highlighted the multiple discriminations encountered by women. The infection rates of females between the ages of 15 and 24 are six times higher than that of men. Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho of the World Health Organisation, told those gathered that women often have to bear the burden of infecting their children unknowingly even when breast feeding. Mpanju-Shumbusho said that vast numbers of children are infected from mother to child, after the infection travelled from partner to mother.
In a statement on to the plenary session on Tuesday, Peter Piot Executive Director of UNAIDS said: "Intolerance attaches new fears to old forms. In many cases, HIV-stigma has attached itself to pre-existing stigmas to racial stereotypes and to discrimination against women and sexual minorities. At the same time, HIV vulnerability comes from the social inequality which has been shaped by long-term patterns of racial and sexual inequality."
He added: "The reality is that HIV affects rich and poor, white and black, men and women. However, over time, as the HIV epidemic matures, its effects tend to become largest among portions of the population that are most disadvantaged, whether on racial, gender or economic grounds."
for more details on the conference: http://www.un.org/wcar
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