VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1100/01 3252327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 202327Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5411
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3440

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001100 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL PREF SMIG PNAT PBTS KPAL KWBG
KIRF, KISL, AORC, UNGA 
SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DISCUSSES RACISM, 
SELF-DETERMINATION, AND THE UNHCR REPORT 
 
REF: USUN NEW YORK 1054 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  From November 3-5, the UN General Assembly Third 
Committee formally discussed the elimination of racism and 
racial discrimination, the right of peoples to 
self-determination, and the report of the UN High 
Commissioner for Refugees.  Speakers from several Islamic 
nations noted a trend of "Islamophobia" since the September 
11, 2001 attacks, and argued that limitations needed to be 
placed on freedom of expression to prevent defamation of 
religion.  Arab delegations said that Israel's "occupation" 
of the West Bank and Gaza violated the Palestinian people's 
right to self-determination.  The United States and Israel 
noted concern regarding the Durban Review Conference's 
singling-out of Israel.  The UN High Commissioner for 
Refugees called for a serious debate regarding the 
international response to forced displacements.  Delegates 
noted the need to close the funding gap between emergency 
humanitarian assistance and longer-term development, and 
agreed that voluntary resettlement remained the preferable 
option for refugees in most situations.  END SUMMARY 
 
RACISM, SELF-DETERMINATION 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. In three formal meetings November 3-4, the UN General 
Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee discussed the elimination of 
racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related 
intolerance; comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to 
the Durban Declaration and Program of Action; and the right 
of peoples to self-determination.  Speakers included the 
Vice-Chair of the Durban Review Conference Preparatory 
Committee; the Chair of the Committee for the Elimination of 
Racial Discrimination; the Special Rapporteur on contemporary 
forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and 
related intolerance; the Chair of the Working Group on the 
use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the 
right of peoples to self-determination; representatives of 35 
countries and the Palestinian observer; and observers from 
the Council of Europe and the International Federation of Red 
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).  Complete texts of 
all U.S. statements can be found at 
www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov. 
 
¶3. The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, 
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 
said that in recent decades, migrants have become one of the 
most vulnerable groups to racist and xenophobic attitudes and 
attacks.  He said that the number of conflicts breaking out, 
particularly since the end of the Cold War, has deepened 
ethnic cleavages, mobilizing racially- and ethnically-defined 
nationalism worldwide, and noted that human rights played a 
key role in conflict-prevention.  He also pointed to the link 
between racism and poverty.  In the question and answer 
session following the Special Rapporteur's presentation, 
Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Pakistan inquired about his 
approach to the link between defamation of religion and 
freedom of expression.  Without specifically mentioning 
defamation of religion, Kuwait and Cuba expressed concern 
regarding the link between discrimination and freedom of 
expression.  The Special Rapporteur responded by noting the 
need for a shift from the idea of defamation of religion to 
incitement to religious and racial hatred.  Libya took the 
floor again, arguing that freedom of expression should be 
limited in cases of its "misuse" to insult or incite others 
to hatred or intolerance. 
 
¶4. During the general discussion, on behalf of the G-77 and 
China, Antigua and Barbuda said that while freedom of speech 
was a valuable component of a democratic society, its 
exercise should not infringe upon the rights of others. 
Further, referring to "attempts to disguise incitement to 
racism and hatred under the cloak of freedom of speech," the 
delegate called for the establishment of an ad hoc committee 
to provide a framework to combat all forms of contemporary 
racism, including incitement to racial and religious hatred. 
Bangladesh and Iran also expressed concern over the perceived 
increase in defamation of religion under the pretext of 
freedom of expression, and Egypt said that racial 
discrimination against religious groups often took place 
under the guise of security.  Cuba complained about developed 
countries' xenophobic and racist immigration policies which 
had "demonized" Islamic groups.  Several speakers from Arab 
nations shared their perception that discrimination against 
Muslims had been increasing since the September 11, 2001 
attacks, with some referring to the trend as "Islamophobia." 
 
¶5. The United States and Israel emphasized concern regarding 
the Durban Review Conference's (Durban II) singling-out of 
 
 
Israel, with the United States noting its disappointment that 
Durban II participants would focus on anti-Semitism and 
demonizing Israel, and Israel noting its fear that Durban II 
would be another venue for "obsessive vilification" of 
Israel.  The United Kingdom also emphasized that the process 
should not be biased, and called for the Conference to 
address anti-Semitism and Holocaust remembrance.  Several 
Arab delegations and the Palestinian observer noted that 
Israel's "occupation" of the West Bank and Gaza was violating 
the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.  Cuba 
called for the United States to return the "illegally 
usurped" territory of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba.  Russia 
expressed concern regarding the growth of neo-fascist and 
neo-Nazi groups, and said that some European governments were 
distorting history and honoring so-called "heroes" who had 
actually cooperated with the Nazis.  (NOTE:  Russia's related 
draft resolution on racism passed Committee on November 18 by 
a vote of 122-1(U.S.)-54 - septel.)  Pakistan said that 
India's occupation violated the Kashmiri people's right to 
self determination.  Georgia accused Russia of engaging in 
racial discrimination against Georgians and other ethnic 
groups in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.  Without referring 
directly to Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan provided a thorough 
analysis of "misinterpretation" of the right to 
self-determination, arguing that it applied to peoples, not 
minorities within a country. 
 
UNHCR REPORT 
------------ 
 
¶6. In two formal meetings November 4-5, the UNGA Third 
Committee discussed the Report of the UN High Commissioner 
for Refugees (UNHCR), questions relating to refugees, 
returnees and displaced persons, and humanitarian questions. 
Speakers included the UNHCR; representatives of 28 countries; 
and observers from the International Committee of the Red 
Cross, the International Organization for Migration, and the 
IFRC.  The High Commissioner said that displacement was 
increasing due to climate change, extreme poverty, and 
conflict.  He briefed on the UNHCR's internal reform efforts, 
and noted the need for greater financial resources to finance 
the UNHCR, which was being asked "to do more and more to 
respond to greater and greater demands."  He also called for 
a "serious and systematic debate" regarding the international 
response to the growing scale and complexity of forced 
displacement. 
 
¶7. During the general discussion, many States noted the need 
to close the funding gap between the stages of emergency 
humanitarian assistance and longer-term development.  Many 
delegates thanked the countries hosting large refugee 
populations, most of which are also developing countries, and 
several of the host countries solicited assistance to ease 
the infrastructural burden caused by these populations. 
Several speakers noted the need for greater safety provisions 
for humanitarian aid workers, particularly in situations of 
conflict.  Most delegates agreed that voluntary resettlement 
remained the preferable ultimate solution for refugees in 
most situations.  (NOTE:  The Committee adopted by consensus 
a draft resolution on the UNHCR on November 11 - reftel.) 
Khalilzad