Topic: Combating the Rise of Xenophobic Violence
Country: India
Delegate Name: Noah Attal
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All India position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Though the era of colonialism and imperialism is now well behind us, it is unfortunate that even today people‟s attitudes and their very deeply imbibed beliefs fuel racial discrimination and xenophobia. Even though great leaders like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Walter Sislu have set examples fighting violence, it regrettably persists. In Scandinavia immigration is next to non due to complicated and strict laws; in the United States the same issue is encountered but with a fear of Mexicans; in Germany several Turkish lives have been lost to xenophobic violence. In the Indian Constitution Articles 14 and 15 it states that “equality of status and of opportunity” is given to all people. It is comparable to the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Preamble that "reaffirm[s] faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small." Pledging its member nations to "practice tolerance and live together in peace," the charter promotes the development of "friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples" and "respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all." In 2001 a The World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related violence (The Durban Conference) was hosted by the United Nations in Durban, South Africa, almost every nation was present; the conference recognized “that failure to combat and denounce racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance by all, especially by public authorities and politicians at all levels, is a factor encouraging their perpetuation”,and encouraged states to take proper action, setting down a principle plan of action based off of state initiated programs. India voted for its approval. Again in 2006 the United Nations held The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and related Violence, this time though several countries abstained including the USA, Israel and several EU States. The same consensus was reached. Now in 2011, the topic was resurrected and although the issue is not solved, India sits at the head of the fight against xenophobia.
India agrees with the Durban Conference in 2001, condemning racial discrimination and xenophobic violence. India stands by the principle that the issue can and will be solved through education and persuasion, because changing laws internationally or by state will not change a people attitude. A government needs to strengthen legislative programs and ensure affirmative action programs work to change social attitudes. Mahandas Gandhi fought racial discrimination and xenophobic violence correctly, peacefully and through the heart of the people. This is the way it should be done.And here I quote Gandhi “It was India who always stood at the head of the international community's moral, political and material support.”
