25 May 1990

14th Plenary Meeting

1990/49. Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination

The Economic and Social Council,

Reaffirming the purpose set forth in the Charter of the United Nations of achieving international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recalling the proclamation by the General Assembly, in its resolution 38/14 of 22 November 1983, of the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,

Recalling also the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, approved by the General Assembly in its resolution 38/14 to achieve the objectives of the Second Decade,

Reaffirming the plan of activities for the periods 1985-1989 and 1990-1993, to be implemented by the Secretary-General in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 39/16 of 23 November 1984 and 42/47 of 30 November 1987,

Conscious of the responsibility conferred upon it by the General Assembly for co-ordinating and, in particular, evaluating the activities undertaken in the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade,

Bearing in mind, in particular, its mandate under General Assembly resolution 41/94 of 4 December 1986 to submit to the Assembly, during the period of the Second Decade, annual reports on the activities undertaken or contemplated to achieve the objectives of the Second Decade,

Having examined the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade,

Noting that, despite the efforts of the international community, the principal objectives of the first Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and the first years of the Second Decade have not been attained, and that millions of human beings continue to be victims of varied forms of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid,

Welcoming the recent Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, unanimously adopted by the General Assembly at its sixteenth special session, which offers guidelines on how to end apartheid through genuine negotiations,

Noting with satisfaction the convening of a United Nations seminar on cultural dialogue between the countries of origin and the host countries of migrant workers, at Athens from 18 to 26 September 1989,

Noting with deep concern that the official invitations being extended to the President of South Africa by some countries could be construed to mean that pressure against the apartheid regime has been relaxed,

Stressing the need to continue the co-ordination of activities undertaken by various United Nations bodies and specialized agencies for the purpose of implementing the Programme of Action for the Second Decade,

1. Reaffirms the importance of achieving the objectives of the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

2. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, in particular the recommendations contained therein;

3. Welcomes the independence of Namibia, which brought to an end a regime and policies based on racism in that country and hence contributed significantly to the attainment of the objectives of the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

4. Also welcomes the emerging political climate inside South Africa, which has the potential to create conditions that are conducive to the abolition of the system of apartheid in that country;

5. Calls upon Governments to encourage positive change in South Africa based on the guidelines set out in the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, in particular by maintaining existing measures against South Africa until there is clear evidence of profound and irreversible change;

6. Invites the Secretary-General to continue with the implementation of the activities for the period 1990-1993 listed in the annex to General Assembly resolution 42/47, and requests him, in that context, to continue to accord the highest priority to measures to combat apartheid;

7. Also invites all Governments to take or continue to take all necessary measures to combat all forms of racism and racial discrimination and to support the work of the Second Decade by making contributions to the Trust Fund for the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, in order to ensure further implementation of the activities for the Second Decade;

8. Reaffirms the need to continue giving particular attention to the specific activities of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade that are directed towards the elimination of apartheid, which is the most destructive and vicious form of institutionalized racism;

9. Also reaffirms the importance of public information activities in combating racism and racial discrimination and in mobilizing public support for the objectives of the Second Decade and, in that context, commends the efforts of the Co-ordinator for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the effective and immediate implementation of the activities proposed for the first half of the Decade that have not yet been undertaken;

11. Also requests the Secretary-General, in his reports, to continue to pay special attention to the situation of migrant workers and their families;

12. Reaffirms the need for continued co-ordination of the full range of programmes being implemented by the United Nations system as they relate to the objectives of the Second Decade;

13. Decides to continue to accord the highest priority each year to the agenda item entitled "Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination".