|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
June 25th, 2014 (OAS Photo)
|
The
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Duly Brutus, today signed the
Inter-American Agreement against Racism, Racial Discrimination and
related forms of Intolerance and the Inter-American Convention against
all forms of discrimination, in the presence of
the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS),
José Miguel Insulza, and the President of Haiti, Michel Martelly.
Foreign Minister Brutus expressed the great satisfaction of his country
at signing both conventions. “Haiti was the pioneering country in
fighting against the colonial slavery system,” recalled the chief of
Haitian diplomacy.
The Haitian Foreign Minister said that by signing both agreements his
country puts itself at the forefront of the fight against racism and
racial discrimination in the region and he also remembered that Haiti
went through a long history of fights against segregation
and domination. As an example he mentioned the historical role Haitians
played at the beginning of the 19th century in fighting against slavery
and in favor of the independence of the peoples of the America, when
Haiti “began to demonstrate its solidarity
towards other peoples and to fight the colonial system of slavery.”
For his part, Secretary General Insulza recalled that both conventions
established a binding definition of indirect discrimination, multiple or
aggravated discrimination, and intolerance. “They also protect all
human beings against any form of racism, racial
discrimination, and acts of intolerance in every aspect of their public
or private life,” he added.
The Secretary General highlighted that in total, the conventions
contained more than 30 causes of discrimination aimed at groups
mentioned, therefore establishing legal regimes that can be applied
separately or independently.
Finally, the OAS leader urged member states that have not yet done so to
sign and adopt both agreements. The General Assembly of the OAS in
Antigua, Guatemala adopted the two binding instruments in June 2013.
The adoption of the two agreements was the culmination of a task
undertaken in 2000 by OAS member states when the General Assembly
instructed the Permanent Council to prepare a draft Inter-American
agreement to prevent, punish, and eradicate racism and all
forms of discrimination and intolerance.
The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the OAS in
Washington DC and included the presence of the Assistant Secretary
General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, and representatives of several OAS
member states to the OAS, among others.
For more information, please visit the OAS Website at
www.oas.org.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
