30 July 1992

40th plenary meeting

Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1991/2 of 29 May 1991,

Reaffirming the purpose set forth in the Charter of the United Nations of achieving international cooperation 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 and contained in the annex thereto, to achieve the objectives of the Second Decade,

Reaffirming the plan of activities for the period 1990-1993, to be implemented by the Secretary-General in accordance with General Assembly resolution 42/47 of 30 November 1987, to which it is annexed, and recalling the activities that were proposed for the period 1985-1989,

Conscious of the responsibility conferred upon it by the General Assembly for coordinating 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,

Emphasizing that it continues to be the responsibility of the Government of South Africa to take all necessary measures to stop immediately the violence in that country and protect the life and property of all South Africans,

Emphasizing also the need for all parties to cooperate in combating violence and to exercise restraint,

Bearing in mind the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution S-16/1 of 14 December 1989 and contained in the annex thereto,

Convinced that international pressure exerted by the United Nations, Governments, individual citizens and organizations has had and continues to have a significant impact on developments in South Africa,

Deeply concerned about the prevalence of racism and racial tensions as well as the rising tide of xenophobia,

Stressing the need to continue the coordination 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. Urges the Government of South Africa to exercise its responsibility to end the violence in that country and thus sustain the emerging political climate, which is conducive to the abolition of the system of apartheid;

4. Calls upon all the parties in South Africa to cooperate to ensure the effective implementation of the National Peace Accord in order to end the violence in that country;

5. Appeals to the international community to give its full and concerted support to the vulnerable and critical process now under way in South Africa through a phased application of appropriate pressure on the South African authorities, as warranted by developments;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue with the implementation of the activities for the period 1990-1993, and further requests him to continue to accord the highest priority to measures to combat apartheid;

7. 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. Calls upon all Member States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families as a matter of priority, and expresses the hope that it will enter into force at an early date;

9. Welcomes the proclamation of the International Year for the World's Indigenous People by the General Assembly in its resolution 45/164 of 18 December 1990;

10. 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;

11. 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 commends the efforts of the Coordinator for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;

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

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

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

15. Recommends that, in 1993, the General Assembly proclaim a third decade to combat racism and racial discrimination;

16. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a draft programme of action for the third decade and to submit it to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session, taking into account, inter alia, the elements of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade that have not yet been completed;

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