E/CN.4/1997/71
page 36
humanity is understood by children in elementary school, junior and
senior high school and university as a principle, among others, in
recognizing that all human beings are equal; to care for each other; to
develop tolerance; to uphold humanity. Moreover, the principle of the
unity of Indonesia is recognized, among others, as a principle in
advancing the efforts of each and every Indonesian to promote diversity
and unity.
“In a country of such diverse ethnic, racial and religious
composition, and which has as its motto 'Bhineka Tunggal Ika' or 'Unity
in Diversity', racism or xenophobia is simply untenable. As a matter of
fact, I [the Permanent Representative of Indonesia] sometimes wonder
whether others should learn about tolerance in our country, so that
Indonesians, fellows Asians, Africans, Latinos or others who come from
developing countries will not experience the racist attitudes of some
segments of society in some developed nations that claim to be the
champions of human rights, including that nation in which the source of
the allegations originated.
“During the deliberations on agenda item 108, entitled 'Racism and
racial discrimination' at the fifty-first session of the United Nations
General Assembly, the Indonesian delegation again supported the work of
the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination and xenophobia. Indonesia also made it clear that lack
of adequate resources had in fact prevented the implementation of the
1994-1995 biennial Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat
Racism and Racial Discrimination. Indonesia also expressed its deepest
concern at the fact that the focal point established for the Programme
of Action has been dismantled. Here in Geneva, the situation is also
threatening whereby the proposed new structure of the Centre for Human
Rights based on the proposition of a large American consultancy firm
supported by Western powers, if implemented, will effectively remove the
focal point on racism in the Centre for Human Rights.
“It is our belief that we should work together to eradicate
racism, as well as all attempts aimed at frustrating the endeavours of
the international community to eradicate racism.”
3.
Special Rapporteur's observations
119. The report from Jean McLean and the International Commission of Jurists
and the clarifications from the Government of Indonesia on specific
allegations of human rights violations are available for consultation in the
Secretariat.
J.
1.
Israel
Communication dated 2 February 1996
120. According to information received by the Special Rapporteur, it has been
the Government’s secret policy for years to discard the blood donations of
Ethiopian Jews for fear of AIDS.