Submitted to: Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee
Topic: Combating Racism and Xenophobia
Country: Mexico
Delegate: Serena Ahmad
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Racism and xenophobia, both harmful, prejudiced ideologies promoting discrimination, constitute grave violations of human rights. These beliefs, if left unchecked, can and have contributed to severe cases of violence and genocide in the past. While it may be unrealistic to eliminate all of the world’s racism and xenophobia, it is imperative that the international community takes steps toward change and sees the potential benefits to all nations involved in the process. In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments, the delegation of Mexico urges all countries to respect and guarantee the human rights of all individuals within their territories or jurisdiction, regardless of their migratory status, as well as to work towards the decriminalization of undocumented migrants. This conference offers a unique opportunity to enhance the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of various countries and under the criteria of a constitutionalism valid for all people, subject to reform, which promotes the development of a multicultural country such as Mexico. The delegation of Mexico supports and promotes the necessary constitutional, administrative, legislative, and judicial reforms in order to promote, protect, and guarantee the exercise of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, recognizing that this is a prerequisite to eliminate racial discrimination and intolerance.
The delegation of Mexico has been subject to numerous cases of racial discrimination–by numerous countries, even as significant as the United States–and incitement to racial hatred and racial supremacism, violating international human rights of Mexican citizens and undermining social cohesion, eroding shared values, affecting social stability and putting peace, sustainable development and the human rights regime at risk. During the 207th session of the UNESCO Executive Board, it was agreed to send a Mexican initiative on the “Elimination of racial discrimination, racial supremacism and racial hate crimes in the world” to the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference. The resolution is part of Mexico’s strategy to curb acts of violence committed on the basis of racial discrimination and hate speech that lead to racially motivated hate crimes, such as those committed on August 3 of this year in El Paso, Texas, in an attack directed specifically against Mexicans. The resolution was also be put forward in the same spirit as the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, presented by the UN Secretary-General on June 18, 2019. It is imperative to recognize the positive contribution of migration to economic social and cultural development of the countries of origin and destiny and the necessary link between migration and globalization. Xenophobia against migrants is one of the main manifestations of contemporary forms of racism and effective measures should be urgently implemented to eliminate these acts.
The delegation of Mexico deems it necessary to guarantee equality among citizens and the fulfillment of all their rights and opportunities without distinction of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national and social origin, birth or other status. Mexico proposes to adopt all necessary measures for the full enjoyment of the rights of citizens under an equal and non discriminatory basis, including their free and full participation in all areas of society, and to promote the knowledge and respect for indigenous culture and heritage. Education is a fundamental tool for the comprehensive cultural change that Mexico intends to achieve in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote real equal oppurtunities and mutual respect among individuals. Mexico will continue to promote multilateral initiatives that help to eradicate racism, hate speech and hate crimes, by using the most effective means at our disposal: education, science, culture, ethics, information and communication, in order to build equitable, inclusive and peaceful societies that recognize the plurality and value of diversity.
- Serena Ahmad
