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racism and racial discrimination against Arabs; anti-Semitism; discrimination
against the Romanies or Gypsies; discrimination against migrant workers and
discrimination and incitement to racial hatred on the Internet.
A.
Discrimination against Blacks (negrophobia)
32.
In Great Britain, according to a March 1997 report on the British army,
deep-rooted racism is said to prevail among the military, mainly aimed against
Blacks. In April 1997, for instance, a young black soldier was attacked by
11 of his regimental colleagues, who ill-treated him supposedly to make him
“clean and white”. Similarly, in August 1997, one of Her Majesty's senior
officers was almost court-martialled for denouncing such discriminatory
practices and acts in the army, where Blacks are systematically accused of
laziness. After finding that such practices did exist, the British
Government, on 13 October 1997, launched a campaign against racism and racial
discrimination in the areas affected. Prime Minister Tony Blair called for
recognition of all talents free of ethnic, racial or religious discrimination,
so that Britain could be a “beacon for the world”. 3/
33.
In the United States, despite progress achieved, in particular thanks to
“Affirmative Action”, inequalities between Whites and Blacks were still very
pronounced in structural, economic, social and cultural respects. According
to a report published by Jeune Afrique, that disparity is particularly
flagrant in the liberal professions. According to the inquiry, Blacks
account for only 1.9 per cent of dentists and 2.5 per cent of architects,
but 30 per cent of nursing assistants and 44 per cent of servers. 1/
34.
In Italy, insults were allegedly uttered against two black Brazilian
international footballers, Cafu and Paolo. Shouts of “Roma white” and
“Paolo out” were reportedly heard in the stands. 4/
35.
In Sudan, the organization “Christian Solidarity International” (CSI),
in a letter to the Special Rapporteur in October 1997, reported the
persistence of black slavery. Such practices are said to be increasingly
inflicted on Blacks made prisoners in the war which has raged in the country
since 1983. The Special Rapporteur transmitted those allegations to the
Government of Sudan on 21 November 1997.
B.
Racism and racial discrimination against Arabs and Muslims
36.
The Special Rapporteur would like to point out that manifestations of
racism and xenophobia against Arabs are increasingly accompanied by a form
of “Islamophobia”. It is therefore difficult to separate acts of racial
discrimination from acts of religious intolerance, as each may reinforce or
encourage the other. According to the above-mentioned Agence France Presse
report, 5/ a recent study on Islam in Great Britain spoke of a resurgence of
intolerance against individuals belonging to the Muslim community, especially
those of Indian or Pakistani origin. In addition, according to the study
carried out by the Runnymede Foundation under the supervision of
Professor Gordon Conway, the persons concerned are crowded in unhygienic
accommodation, deprived of sanitation. The question of Islamophobia should
be referred to the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance.