E/CN.4/1997/71
page 18
by the Moroccan authorities in this area notably include the maintenance
of contacts and dialogue with Governments in host countries with a view
to protecting the interests of such workers and improving the status of
them and their families.
“Moroccan law prohibits all forms of propaganda for war and
severely punishes incitement to national, racial or religious hatred.
Likewise, Morocco has ratified the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. ... the Human Rights
Ministry recently established a xenophobia and racism unit which closely
monitors the many violations of basic human rights suffered by Moroccan
communities abroad ...”. 24
40.
In its communication, the Turkish Government suggests a series of
measures to put an end to manifestations of racism:
“In the field of legislation, bodies of domestic laws should be
harmonized with a view to effectively deterring and severely punishing
those offences committed with racist motivations. Moreover, enhancement
clauses must be introduced with respect to such offences.
“To complement the measures to be taken in the legislative area,
similar deterrent elements should be put into effect in the
administrative domain. In this connection, harsh penalties must be
introduced for governmental agents who are involved or acquiesce in
racist activities or who condone or do not intervene to prevent such
activities. It should be mentioned at this juncture that the training
provided to government agents, such as the police and customs officials,
who frequently have to deal with foreigners in the accomplishment of
their duties, must emphasize racism and other related ills.
“Another area which should be explored in the framework of
combating contemporary manifestations of racism is the offering of
special assistance for the redress and rehabilitation of victims of
racist attacks. The wounds incurred from racism are first and foremost
psychological. These wounds may be aggravated by physical injuries in
cases of outright physical attacks. In order to create an international
mechanism to meet the needs of victims of racism, the question of
funding presents itself as a precondition. To this end, the speedy
establishment of a United Nations voluntary fund for victims of racism
must be ensured.
“As to medium- and long-term measures against racism, the
Government of Turkey believes that we must ensure 'prevention', in the
sense that new generations must be brought up in a way which renders
them fully aware of the threats posed by racism. This would include
specific references to the great tragedies and horrors racism has caused
in the past; as well as the new menace which it poses in its new and
various manifestations and disguises, such as 'cultural relativism'.
“The most effective tool we have to accomplish this endeavour is
education. The abhorrence of racism in all its forms and
manifestations, with special emphasis on concrete examples from history,