Presentation

With the objective of working toward and contributing to the success of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and other forms of Intolerance, to be held by the United Nations in South Africa in August of 2001, we, as diverse organizations and individuals, have decided to open up a debate of painful topics, covered up and denied by a culture of colonial domination that continues to exclude and marginalize sectors of the population.

Racism exists in Mexico -of that we have no doubt- just as it exists in Central American countries. What does not exist is a clear, widespread consciousness in this regard. The manifestation of racism in our region is serious, structural and chronic.

While we know that movements of Latin Americans of African descent who are demanding their rights are growing, because of the characteristics these phenomena take on in our part of the world, affecting primarily the region's indigenous peoples, those of us convoking this forum decided to define our role as promoters and facilitators so that indigenous representatives of social movements and nongovernmental organizations would be the key actors in these public debates.

"Racism exists in all societies on our planet, in one form or another," affirmed the anthropologists, sociologists and other experts brought together in 1999 for the International Council for Human Rights Studies. How have racial prejudices developed and continue to develop among us, and what have been and continue to be the consequences? What can we do to fight against these phenomena except to confront them, become conscious of them and take actions in response to their true causes and everyday manifestations! While we may only be able to do so in a modest way, we want to contribute -from a position of plurality, independence and the horizontal nature of indigenous and civil organizations- toward sensitizing and provoking debate among peoples, societies, and the media, to demand that our governments make serious commitments, take clear actions and provide concrete solutions.

We would like to express our acknowledgments to the Tribuna Israelita de México, the Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos (Inter-American Human Rights Institute), Congreso Nacional Indígena (National Indigenous Congress) and the Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (National Human Rights Commission) for their interest and support in holding this Forum.

Oscar González AMDH President

PROJECT: FINAL DOCUMENT OF THE REGIONAL FORUM OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA ON RACISM, DISCRIMINATION AND INTOLERANCE (Non Governmental Organizations)

Mexico City, November 9th and 10th, 2000

The participants of the "Regional Forum of Mexico and Central America on Racism, Discrimination and Intolerance" to take place in Mexico City on November 9th and 10th of the year 2000, have agreed on the following items:

1. Taking into account the intergovernmental and non governmental efforts carried out by the international community to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.

2. Taking as a reference the preparatory and final documents resulting from the World Conferences Against Racism which took place in 1978 and 1983, and particularly their respective Action Programs.

3. Taking into consideration the reports, resolutions and recommendations produced by organs and mechanisms of the United Nations, particularly those of the General Assembly, ECOSOC, the Human Rights Commission and its Subcommittees and Working Groups, the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur in charge of examining contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, as well as the responses emitted by governments.

4. Following up on the International Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1965 and particularly to the commitments made by governments resulting from the World Consultation on the U.N. Action Program in 1988.

5. Responding to the call made by the General Assembly in 1997 to carry out a third World Conference against Racism in South Africa in 2001, which shall be declared International Year for Mobilization Against Racism , with the main objective of elaborating measures and strategies directed towards fighting contemporary manifestations of racism and intolerance.

6. Heeding ECOSOC's resolutions of 1995 and 1996 and of the General Assembly of 1999, where guidelines and criteria were established for the participation of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) as observers in the meetings of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) and in the World Conference, as well as to register representatives of indigenous peoples.

7. Contributing to the accomplishment of the objectives of the World Conference Against Racism to be carried out in 2001, especially those with respect to the analysis of political, historic, economic, social and cultural factors which lead to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, we are also interested in formulating concrete recommendations to adopt practical measures in the national, regional and international arenas.

Based on the above, we recommend the following:

1. Although the countries included in this region -Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica-have participated in World Conferences and Decade Reunions, the political disposition of their governments to disseminate, promote and carry out resolutions directed at fighting racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance has been insufficient.

2. Today, the forms these phenomena take in the region are characterized above all by obstinate ignorance, denial and disregard of historic effects as well as of the present day reality of discrimination and intolerance brought upon over the past five centuries by the conquest, colonization and successive migrations.

3. Despite the cultural blending and syncretism which has occurred in our countries, prejudice and racial discrimination against native indigenous peoples still exist today. The latter is conformed by 60 different ethnic groups which consist approximately of 12 million Mexicans and 4 million Central Americans.

4. Minorities of African or Asian descent, accounting for no more than a few hundred thousand, as well as less populous Spanish, Jewish, Lebanese, Turkish and Hindi communities among others, are also subject to ethnic discrimination, although to a lesser degree than the discrimination suffered by indigenous peoples.

5. Although in our countries there is not a generalized and clear awareness amongst the majority of the population as to the existence and significance of racism and discrimination, centuries of colonial domination, 'caste' wars and indigenous rebellions have produced diverse forms of stratification, segregation, discrimination and social marginalization which still exist today.

6. Real and profound causes of discrimination in our countries can be traced to structural inequality, cultural denial and the lack of opportunities which affect not only ethnic minorities but low income and mestizo majorities as well. These circumstances have been accentuated in the recent past by the concentration of wealth and an increase in poverty levels amongst the greater sectors of society.

7. In one way or another, racism exists in every society on the planet. Social and economic discrimination tend to go hand in hand. Development theory and practice now include social, environmental and gender related concerns. However, topics related to culture are not touched upon. Today, it is absolutely necessary to recognize and accept the role that culture plays as a basic motive force in the plural and democratic development of individuals, peoples and countries.

8. The preservation and promotion of indigenous cultures implies the need to create better economic conditions and thus reduce inequalities in relation with other societies and cultures. In order to effectively combat discrimination and marginalization, accentuated by the predominant process of globalization, we demand that governments of our region recognize the constitutional autonomy of indigenous peoples. This is the only way to guarantee that these groups have their own forms of social and political organization and access to resources for their development.

9. We believe that discrimination and related forms of intolerance suffered by diverse minorities, whether based on ethnicity -here, the most prevalent problem- or on religious beliefs, sexual preferences, handicaps, health or age, require that measures of affirmative action be introduced and adopted allowing legislative reforms, public policies and mechanisms of action to be carried out which would protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples, mestizos, African Americans, immigrant minorities, migrant workers, women, children, the elderly, religious minorities, homosexuals, bisexuals, handicapped individuals and people with aids.

1. The most effective measures to prevent and eradicate racism, discrimination and intolerance, -given that xenophobia appears to be less prevalent in our societies- are, on the one hand, the description and typology of racist and discriminatory behavior and, on the other hand, the definition of realistic minimum standards to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights outlined in international agreements. To achieve concrete results we aim, as Non Governmental Organizations, to promote and participate in networks, media campaigns and pacific actions of resistance and civil solidarity on a national, regional and international level.

2. With the aim that representatives of indigenous groups, religious communities and sexual or other minorities as well as NGO's may follow up on commitments adopted by governments of the region, we believe that it is necessary to bring diagnoses and evaluations of actions carried out with respect to the U.N. Action Programs up to date. With this in mind, we strongly urge governments of each and every one of the countries to promptly issue an invitation to the following: the Special Rapporteur in charge of examining contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, the Special Rapporteur of the Work Group for Indigenous Peoples, the Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its causes and consequences and the Special Rapporteur on Migrant Rights.

3. All of the above merits the awareness of civil societies, governments and the media and demands opportune political disposition and adequate supervision in order to progress in the national, regional and worldwide arena with the programs of action summed up in the motto: "United to Combat Racism: Equality, Justice, Dignity". For this reason, we request that the Preparatory Commission and the Secretary of the World Conference Against Racism 2001 consider ours to be a satellite reunion so that its documents may circulate and be taken into account for the elaboration of the final documents in South Africa. We also request that our delegates be registered at the NGO's Forum which will take place simultaneously next year.