A/HRC/35/41/Add.1
Xenophobia and Racism of programmes to foster cultural exchanges and address general
stigma with regard to indigenous peoples, Afrodescendants, migrants, religious diversity
and the Jewish, Arab and Armenian communities. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges
efforts made to raise awareness, including in schools. For example, as part of the campaign
entitled “The school against racism”, implemented in conjunction with the children’s
channel of the Ministry of Education, an animated series was disseminated entitled Iguales
y diferentes (equal but different), based on guidelines for children on preventing
discriminatory practices.
29.
The discrimination map produced by the Institute found that education, health and
employment were the sectors where discrimination had been perceived to be the most
severe. It highlighted that discrimination had mainly been experienced in schools, public
hospitals but also public transportation and in certain geographic areas, including peripheral
urban areas and rural dwellings.
30.
The study also showed that, in addition to the persisting discrimination against
certain groups, there had been a significant number of discriminatory acts based on
religious grounds. Muslims recorded the highest levels of discrimination based on religious
identity, mainly because of the stereotypical representations of that group linked to
prejudices related to fundamentalism and terrorism. Given the low number of Muslims in
Argentina, the Institute pointed to the role of the media in shaping stigmatization.
31.
The Special Rapporteur notes with concern the grave impacts that the denial of
access to adequate health-care services, but also education and adequate economic
activities, have had on indigenous communities, who at times live in extreme poverty, but
also on migrants and people of African descent. Furthermore, difficulties in settling land
ownership disputes continue to put a strain on indigenous peoples’ capacity to fulfil their
basic needs, including access to food and to clean water.
A.
Indigenous peoples
32.
The Special Rapporteur is alarmed by the severity of the deprivations still
experienced by indigenous communities. In its 2014 annual report, the Office of the
Ombudsperson highlighted that indigenous peoples had less access to economic and social
rights. The report voiced concerns over the lack of access to safe drinking water, food,
health care and education. The most severe expression of these deprivations could be the
situation of malnutrition in some indigenous communities.
33.
Discrimination against indigenous peoples in Argentina is both structural and
horizontal. Many Argentinians believe that indigenous peoples should make a greater effort
to integrate within society, thus denying their right to identity in clear contradiction with
constitutional provisions. This also shows that efforts to raise awareness on the rights of
indigenous peoples and fostering a multicultural society remain insufficient. Indigenous
peoples have also generally suffered from difficulties in effectively participating in
decision-making, including on matters that directly affect them. More alarming are the
various forms of repression of the exercising of freedoms of expression, association and
assembly, often in land-related matters.
Access to economic, social and cultural rights
34.
Regarding access to health, indigenous people, especially in northern provinces, are
facing difficulties owing to the implementation of health policies disregarding their cultural
identity. In public health centres, the presence of translators and/or interpreters remains
rare, constituting an impediment to proper doctor-patient communication, obstructing
diagnosis and the administration of appropriate medical treatment. Little regard has been
given to indigenous culture, including traditional medicinal practices. This lack of cultural
sensitivity at times represents a disincentive for seriously ill patients to seek medical
attention and particularly affects women’s sexual and reproductive rights. It was also
reported that, in some cases, medical personnel have deliberately ignored severely ill
patients and their families or given little regard to pain management during treatment. The
Special Rapporteur received a testimony from a mother who had lost her daughter because
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