Baha’i International Community Statement at the 36th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities

          
          ATTACHMENT 1
          Baha' International Community Statement
          at the 36th session of the
          Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination
          and Protection of Minorities
          Geneva - 17 August 1983
          (5th meeting)
          Agenda item 5: Elimination of Racial
          discrimination - (a) Measures to combat
          racism arid racial discrimination arid -
          the role of the Sub—Commission
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          The eradication of racial discrimination is, of course, a matter of
          the highest importance, and the Bah '  International Community welcomes
          the opportunity of speaking under agenda item 5 and of offering its
          views on this subject and its suggestions as to measures that might be
          taken by the Sub-Commission and other international bodies in order to
          combat, and finally eliminate, racism and racial discrimination.
          The promotion of racial unity and the elimination of all forms of
          racial division and dissension are fundamental goals of the Baha' Faith.
          In the Baha'C view, every human being, whatever his race, colour or
          ethnic origin, is a valued and uniquely contributing member of society.
          Bah 'fs therefore recognize and uphold the equality of all men and women
          from every one of the world's vast diversity of racial and cultural
          backgrounds. At the same time, Bah 'rs believe that all people share
          common spiritual and human bonds that transcend racial and ethnic
          differences and — above all else - the Bah '  International Community
          strives to promote and strengthen these bonds, in recognition of the
          fundamental, organic oneness of the human race.
          The pervasive problem of racial discrimination arises, we believe,
          from failure to recognize the essential unity of all the peoples of
          the world. Like so many other grave social problems, it has its roots
          in blind prejudice. Consequently, the problem of racial discrimination
          must be addressed at its source — the human heart. What is required to
          eliminate racial prejudice is proper education in the principle - and
          • the truth — of the organic oneness of mankind. This education should,
          in our view, be directed towards the development, in adults, in youth
          and in children — especially young children — of an inner awareness and
          consciousness of the fundamental human bonds shared by all human beings,
          whatever their race or colour.
          At the 35th session of the Sub—Commission, during the discussion
          on racial discrimination and the report of Mr. Justice Chowdhury, a number of
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          speakers emphasized the importance of education in combating racism and
          racial discrimination. The view was then exDressed — and we wholeheartedl
          agree — that enlightened legislation is, by itself, insufficient to eradic
          racial discrimination, and that such legislation must be complemented b
          educational programmes aimed at nurturing tolerance and understanding in
          the hearts and minds of children.
          This view has been expressed in numerous resolutions, declarations
          and conventions adopted by international bodies, including the Final
          Document of the 1978 Vienna Congress on the Teaching of Human Rights,
          the 1973 Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial
          Discrimination, the 1965 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
          Racial Discrimination and, most recently, the Programme of Action adopted
          by the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
          All of these have stressed the important role of education in eliminating
          racial discrimination.
          The 3ah ' International Community fully supports the spirit of
          these recommendations and instruments and believes that positive action
          must now be taken to develop and implement educational programmes directed
          towards the elimination of racial prejudice. We believe, however, that
          it is vital that these programmes have as their focus the development of
          a consciousness of the unity of mankind. Simply studying the problem of
          racial discrimination will not change human attitudes.
          In accordance with these views, we proposed at the Second World
          Conference the development of a model curriculum on the organic oneness
          of mankind — a curriculum which could be adopted and, where necessary,
          adapted by governments. Specifically, we suggested that this curriculum
          should include study of the following:
          1. the biological unity of the human race as one human species
          2. the basic human needs, desires and emotions shared by all human
          beings
          3. the universal need for self—identity
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          4. the universal institution of the family as the basic unit of
          society -
          5. the universal need to belong to and participate in the life of a
          larger community, and to develop a sense of cultural identity
          6. the social, economic, cultural and political interdependence of
          a.ll peoples, and
          7. man's universal need and search for spiritual purpose through
          religion.
          In the examination of each of these points, cultural differences
          can be studied and appreciated as different expressions and manifesta-
          tions of the same universal human characteristics and needs.
          In addition to these basic topics, the following subjects might
          also be included in the model curriculum:
          1. understanding how racial prejudice grows out of a failure to
          perceive the bonds uniting all peoples
          2. the importance of contact with people of other races as a means
          of breaking down prejudices and perceiving hared human bonds
          3. the different forms and manifestations of racial prejudice in
          our everyday lives, and
          4. United Nations action in the field of human rights and the human
          rights standards already established by the United Nations.
          We presume that UNESCO would be the most appropriate agency for
          the elaboration of such a. model curriculum, on the basis of its past
          efforts aimed at developing model educational programmes as well as
          its general mandate in the field of education for human rights.
          The Bah ' International Community is convinced that the develop—
          ment and implementation of a curriculum on the oneness of mankind,
          oriented towards the earliest stages of development of the child's
          personality, offers a realistic hope for progress towards the goal of
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          eliminating racial prejudice. We therefore suggest that the Su b—
          Commission should recommend to the appropriate United Nations bodies
          and agencies the development of such a progra e. Such a step would,
          we believe, respond to the spirit of action emerging from the Second
          World Conference — a spirit which, we hope, signals a renewed -
          determination on the part of the international community to deal
          forthrightly with the continuing problem of racial prejudice and
          racIal discrimination.
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          17 August 1983