SLAVERY AND COLONIALISM BLAMED FOR WIDESPREAD POVERTY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT

Seneiya Kamotho  English/Kenya   Honourable Christopher Obure, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, stated today that the conference provided the ideal opportunity to meaningfully address the damage inflicted upon millions of people by slavery and colonization, and to recognize the immense suffering caused by those practices. Only in that way, he said can this conference go down in history as a success; one that would change the lives of millions of individuals worldwide for the better. Said he "despite the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, it is regrettable that the goal of having a world free of racial hatred and bias continues to elude us. Racism continues to thrive in many parts of the world." He said the fight against racism requires a collaborative effort and sustained commitment. Government ministers repeatedly told the United Nations World Conference Against Racism that problems facing their nations, among them, widespread poverty and underdevelopment, stemmed in part from slavery and colonialism. They insisted that racial prejudice was responsible for the diminished economic activity in their countries. The wrongs, they insisted could only be righted by clear acknowledgement of the past by the oppressing countries, and by creating schemes for compensation. The high-ranking government officials touched on several additional issues, such as the situation between Israel and Palestine, rights of migrant workers, the right to decent employment, the importance of education and the role of the Internet.