On March 27, a significant panel commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, taking place on 21 March. This date marks the haunting memory of the Sharpeville massacre, where over 60 individuals lost their lives while protesting against apartheid in South Africa. The session, honouring the sixtieth anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, featured esteemed panelists including Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and leaders from various human rights organisations.
Volker Turk, during his opening address, reflected on the progress made in combating racial discrimination over the past six decades. Both he and Michal Balcerzak emphasised the importance of maintaining our hard-earned victories and rejecting any attempts to erase these advancements. Their words resound with urgency, highlighting the collective struggle for equality and justice.
In this context, the organisation DIAFAR, alongside ISHR, issued a joint statement expressing grave concern over Argentina’s alarming retreat from its human rights commitments. The current government has publicly denied its obligations under the International Convention, dismantling essential policies aimed at protecting Afro-descendant and Indigenous communities. Consequently, these actions exacerbate existing inequalities and further entrench systemic racism.
DIAFAR and ISHR also condemned the hateful rhetoric from high-ranking Argentine officials, which has fostered a hostile environment for racial minorities. This toxic atmosphere has led to disturbing events such as the vandalism of the monument dedicated to María Remedios del Valle, a revered Afro-Argentinian figure in the nation’s independence struggle, which remains in disrepair.
The organisations demanded that the Argentinian government retract these detrimental policies and recommit to its international human rights obligations. They urged the global community to influence the Argentinian administration to protect the rights of Afro-descendants and ensure their entitlements are fulfilled.
With these critical issues at the forefront, DIAFAR calls for the reinstatement of longstanding public policies designed to safeguard equality and combat discrimination. The dismantling of institutions like the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism has intensified marginalisation while attacks on social protests challenge defenders of human rights, marked by arbitrary arrests and excessive force.
Overall, the statement urged for immediate action to reverse these trends and to improve the support framework for Afro-descendant communities. Calls for improved training for the security forces on racial profiling and the creation of registers to document racially-motivated detentions remain unmet, despite being recommended by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
In conclusion, the push for respect and support for Afro-Argentinians is vital. The call to action resonates strongly as voices come together to challenge discrimination and advocate for dignified treatment and respect in Argentina. The demand for justice and equality remains at the heart of this ongoing struggle.
A panel convened to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination emphasised the deteriorating human rights situation faced by Afro-Argentinians. Organisations DIAFAR and ISHR condemned the current Argentinian government’s rollback on policies supporting Afro-descendants, highlighting increased hate speech and systemic racism. They called for international pressure to restore human rights commitments and rectify the growing inequalities.
The panel’s discussions underscore the urgent need for the Argentinian government to restore vital human rights policies for Afro-descendants. There is a consensus among organisations like DIAFAR and ISHR that systemic racism and marginalisation are worsening due to recent government actions. The enduring fight for equality, alongside the demand for the protection of human rights and the prevention of hate speech, forms the crux of the call for change needed in Argentina.
Original Source: ishr.ch
