Officials and Commissioners from thirteen countries across the world took part in the International Race Relations Round Table held from 2 - 5 February 2004 at Auckland, New Zealand.
Speaking on the topic "Race Relations in the 21st century", Member Shri R.S.Kalha, on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission, India said that the Constitution of India expressly prohibits discrimination on grounds both of race and caste. It stated that despite the affirmative action and 'compensatory discrimination' permitted under the Constitution and the range and scope of measures envisaged under those provisions, the regrettable fact remains that social injustice and the exploitation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other weaker sections have not as yet been eliminated from our society.
He said that the Commission is of the view that the need to change attitudes and mindsets of civil society is the key to further progress and in this connection, the Commission has been holding workshops and seminars to educate and create awareness amongst the civil society.