Topic: Elimination of Xenophobia and Racism
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Sophie Miner
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belgium position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Xenophobia and racism are a serious problem throughout many countries. Xenophobia can manifest itself in many ways, shapes, and forms. It makes people fear losing their identity, aggressive, and want to eliminate certain groups of people. Some of the top 10 racist countries in the world include: the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Rwanda, Japan, Germany, Israel, Russia, Pakistan and India. According to a map for people who voted who they would NOT want as neighbors, India had an astonishing 40% vote that they would not want ‘people of other races’ as their neighbors. Yes, one of the most diverse countries in the world, is also the most racist.
All over Europe, there has been a rise in xenophobia since WWII. In Belgium, our most famous racist groups in government was founded in 1979. It’s known as Vlaams Blok. Their ideologies embraced Flemish nationalism. We brought them to court for breaching our anti-racism laws and they were fined. Racism is a serious problem in our country.
Belgium calls for the elimination of xenophobia and racism because it goes against our anti-discrimination laws. We have three federal laws to prevent discrimination. First, our Racism Law forbids any discrimination on racism based on race, color, nationality, descent, and national or ethnic origin. Next, we have our Gender Law, which prohibits discrimination based on sex (which includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and sex change). And finally, we have our Anti-Discrimination Law which does not allow the discrimination of any of the following: age, sexual orientation, civil status, birth, wealth, faith or personal belief, political orientation, language, current or future health status, handicap, physical or genetic disorder, or social origin.
Therefore, we conclude that Belgium must see to it that racial discrimination and xenophobia are banned by the United Nations. People and countries that allow it should be punished because it is wrong and unjust.
