NON-DISCRIMINATION MUST PREVAIL: UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS<br> <br>

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanetham Pillay in a statement on the Human Rights Day said that the concept of non-discrimination lies at the heart of human rights and it should stop where ever it is in practice. She said, "those who are not discriminated against often find it hard to comprehend the suffering and humiliation that discrimination imposes on their fellow individual human beings. Nor do they always understand the deeply corrosive effect it has on society at large."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights observed that discrimination reduces productivity as it feeds mistrust, resentment, violence, crime and insecurity and makes no economic sense. It has no beneficial aspects for society whatsoever. Yet, she said that virtually all the human beings continue to practice it, often as a casual reflex, without even realizing what they are doing.
Ms. Pillay said that now there is a whole range of rights-based international treaties imbued throughout with the concept of non-discrimination. These include, for example, Conventions on the rights of the child, rights of people with disabilities, rights of refugees and of migrant workers; Conventions dedicated to the elimination of racial discrimination and discrimination against women; as well as treaties dealing with labour, health and religion. These legally binding standards are complemented by important UN declarations detailing minority rights and the rights of indigenous peoples. These international laws and standards are supported by thousands of national and regional laws and institutions. Yet, she said that discrimination is still rampant.
Referring to the rights of women and girls she said that despite significant improvements over the past century, they are still discriminated. Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours and produce half of the world's food, yet earn only 10 percent of the world's income and own less than one percent of the world's property. Minorities in all regions of the world continue to face serious threats, discrimination and racism.
Similar problems face the minorities and an estimated 370 million indigenous people in the world. Ms. Pillay said indigenous people make up five percent of the world's population, but fifteen percent of its poorest people. They are often marginalized, deprived of many fundamental rights - including land and property - and lack access to basic services.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that racial and ethnic discrimination are also to be found all across the planet, and remain one of the most dangerous forms of discrimination. Discrimination based on religion or belief can be equally destructive.
Refugees and migrants are widely discriminated against, including in rich countries where men, women and children who have committed no crime are often held in detention for prolonged periods. Many other groups face discrimination to a greater or lesser degree. Some of them are easily definable such as persons with disabilities, stateless people, gays and lesbians, members of particular castes and the elderly.
Ms. Pillay said that everywhere she would like to encourage people including politicians, officials, businesses leaders, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media, religious leaders, teachers, students, and each and every individual to honour Human Rights Day 2009 by embracing diversity and resolving to take concrete and lasting actions to help put an end to discrimination.