Statement by
Ambassador George Moose
Permanent Representative of the
United States of America

Agenda Item 3
Racism

Monday, August 7, 2000

Madam Chair,

My delegation welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Sub-Commission's consideration of the issue of racism, under agenda item 3. The issue of racism in the United States, as in most countries, is complex and deeply engrained in the political, economic and social fabric of American life, as are our efforts to deal with it. Although it is not possible in the time available to address this subject fully, we wanted to comment on several important aspects of this problem.

In the United States, we value the contribution that people of many different racial and ethnic groups have made to our country. We are a stronger and richer country because of our diversity. While we celebrate our diversity, we continue to combat discrimination and work toward the promise of equal opportunity for all. The U.S. report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will discuss our efforts in greater detail.

In the United States, the legal system provides strong protections against and remedies for discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity or national origin, gender and religion by both public and private actors. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws discrimination, including discrimination in public accommodations and employment; the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits voting discrimination; and the 1968 Fair Housing Act seeks to eliminate discrimination, in housing and mortgage lending. Executive orders issued by Presidents through the years have supplemented this catalog of protections by specifically requiring non-discrimination in a vast range of public programs.

The U.S. Constitution and federal statutes prohibit racially discriminatory actions by law enforcement agencies. Allegations of racial discrimination in the criminal justice system are currently being reviewed by various states and the federal government. In particular, the federal government is currently reviewing concerns over racial disparities in the application of the death penalty and other racially discriminatory actions such as racial profiling.

The World Conference Against Racism offers an important occasion for all governments --assisted by the intergovernmental organizations and NGOS with special competence and experience in the field -- to focus on the issue of racism and related intolerance, and to share information on the "best practices" developed worldwide.

We welcome a full discussion of the multiple and varied issues that will arise in the months that lead us to South Africa, whether at the regional meetings, or during the next Preparatory Committee meeting. We are fully committed to participating actively throughout the preparations for the World Conference, and in the World Conference itself. We believe we have much to share from our history and experience.

Racism is not a problem that is particular to any one country, to any one region to any one group of countries with historical similarities. Racism and its related discrimination plague every country, every society, and every region of the world. To deny this fact would be to do a disservice to the World Conference and to all the people around the world who will look to this Conference for serious attention to these complex problems.

In closing, let me note that there are no easy answers to the challenges that all countries and peoples face in addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. We welcome the discussion that the Sub-Commission has had on this issue and look forward to sharing viewpoints with other governments as we move towards South Africa in 2001.