Preamble
The
General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, meeting at Paris at its twentieth
session, from 24 October to 28 November 1978,
Whereas it is stated
in the Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, adopted on 16 November 1945,
that "the great and terrible war which has now ended was a war made
possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and
mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through
ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and
races", and whereas, according to Article I of the said Constitution, the
purpose of UNESCO "is to contribute to peace and security by promoting
collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order
to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human
rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the
world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter
of the United Nations",
Recognizing that, more
than three decades after the founding of UNESCO, these principles are just as
significant as they were when they were embodied in its Constitution,
Mindful of the process
of decolonization and other historical changes which have led most of the
peoples formerly under foreign rule to recover their sovereignty, making the
international community a universal and diversified whole and creating new
opportunities of eradicating the scourge of racism and of putting an end to its
odious manifestations in all aspects of social and political life, both
nationally and internationally,
Convinced that the
essential unity of the human race and consequently the fundamental equality of
all human beings and all peoples, recognized in the loftiest expressions of
philosophy, morality and religion, reflect an ideal towards which ethics and
science are converging today,
Convinced that all peoples
and all human groups, whatever their composition or ethnic origin, contribute
according to their own genius to the progress of the civilizations and cultures
which, in their plurality and as a result of their interpenetration, constitute
the common heritage of mankind,
Confirming its
attachment to the principles proclaimed in the United Nations Charter and the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its determination to promote the
implementation of the International Covenants on Human Rights as well as the
Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order,
Determined also to
promote the implementation of the United Nations Declaration and the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination,
Noting the Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International
Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid and the
Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes
against Humanity,
Recalling also the
international instruments already adopted by UNESCO, including in particular
the Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education, the
Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, the Declaration of the
Principles of International Cultural Co-operation, the Recommendation
concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace
and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the
Recommendations on the Status of Scientific Researchers, and the Recommendation
on participation by the people at large in cultural life and their contribution
to it,
Bearing in mind the
four statements on the race question adopted by experts convened by UNESCO,
Reaffirming its desire
to play a vigorous and constructive part in the implementation of the programme
of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, as defined
by the General Assembly of the United Nations at its twenty-eighth session,
Noting with the
gravest concern that racism, racial discrimination, colonialism and apartheid
continue to afflict the world in ever-changing forms, as a result both of the
continuation of legislative provisions and government and administrative
practices contrary to the principles of human rights and also of the continued
existence of political and social structures, and of relationships and
attitudes, characterized by injustice and contempt for human beings and leading
to the exclusion, humiliation and exploitation, or to the forced assimilation,
of the members of disadvantaged groups,
Expressing its
indignation at these offences against human dignity, deploring the obstacles
they place in the way of mutual understanding between peoples and alarmed at
the danger of their seriously disturbing international peace and security,
Adopts and solemnly
proclaims this Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice:
Article
1
1.
All human beings belong to a single species and are descended from a common
stock. They are born equal in dignity and rights and all form an integral part
of humanity.
2. All individuals and
groups have the right to be different, to consider themselves as different and
to be regarded as such. However, the diversity of life styles and the right to
be different may not, in any circumstances, serve as a pretext for racial
prejudice; they may not justify either in law or in fact any discriminatory
practice whatsoever, nor provide a ground for the policy of apartheid, which is
the extreme form of racism.
3. Identity of origin
in no way affects the fact that human beings can and may live differently, nor
does it preclude the existence of differences based on cultural, environmental
and historical diversity nor the right to maintain cultural identity.
4. All peoples of the
world possess equal faculties for attaining the highest level in intellectual,
technical, social, economic, cultural and political development.
5. The differences
between the achievements of the different peoples are entirely attributable to
geographical, historical, political, economic, social and cultural factors.
Such differences can in no case serve as a pretext for any rank-ordered
classification of nations or peoples.
Article
2
1.
Any theory which involves the claim that racial or ethnic groups are inherently
superior or inferior, thus implying that some would be entitled to dominate or
eliminate others, presumed to be inferior, or which bases value judgements on
racial differentiation, has no scientific foundation and is contrary to the moral
and ethical principles of humanity.
2. Racism includes
racist ideologies, prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory behaviour, structural
arrangements and institutionalized practices resulting in racial inequality as
well as the fallacious notion that discriminatory relations between groups are
morally and scientifically justifiable; it is reflected in discriminatory
provisions in legislation or regulations and discriminatory practices as well
as in anti-social beliefs and acts; it hinders the development of its victims,
perverts those who practise it, divides nations internally, impedes
international co-operation and gives rise to political tensions between
peoples; it is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and,
consequently, seriously disturbs international peace and security.
3. Racial prejudice,
historically linked with inequalities in power, reinforced by economic and
social differences between individuals and groups, and still seeking today to
justify such inequalities, is totally without justification.
Article
3
Any
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, ethnic
or national origin or religious intolerance motivated by racist considerations,
which destroys or compromises the sovereign equality of States and the right of
peoples to self-determination, or which limits in an arbitrary or
discriminatory manner the right of every human being and group to full
development is incompatible with the requirements of an international order
which is just and guarantees respect for human rights; the right to full
development implies equal access to the means of personal and collective
advancement and fulfilment in a climate of respect for the values of civilizations
and cultures, both national and world-wide.
Article
4
1.
Any restriction on the complete self-fulfilment of human beings and free
communication between them which is based on racial or ethnic considerations is
contrary to the principle of equality in dignity and rights; it cannot be
admitted.
2. One of the most
serious violations of this principle is represented by apartheid, which, like
genocide, is a crime against humanity, and gravely disturbs international peace
and security.
3. Other policies and
practices of racial segregation and discrimination constitute crimes against
the conscience and dignity of mankind and may lead to political tensions and
gravely endanger international peace and security.
Article
5
1.
Culture, as a product of all human beings and a common heritage of mankind, and
education in its broadest sense, offer men and women increasingly effective
means of adaptation, enabling them not only to affirm that they are born equal
in dignity and rights, but also to recognize that they should respect the right
of all groups to their own cultural identity and the development of their
distinctive cultural life within the national and international contexts, it
being understood that it rests with each group to decide in complete freedom on
the maintenance, and, if appropriate, the adaptation or enrichment of the
values which it regards as essential to its identity.
2. States, in
accordance with their constitutional principles and procedures, as well as all
other competent authorities and the entire teaching profession, have a
responsibility to see that the educational resources of all countries are used
to combat racism, more especially by ensuring that curricula and textbooks
include scientific and ethical considerations concerning human unity and
diversity and that no invidious distinctions are made with regard to any
people; by training teachers to achieve these ends; by making the resources of
the educational system available to all groups of the population without racial
restriction or discrimination; and by taking appropriate steps to remedy the
handicaps from which certain racial or ethnic groups suffer with regard to
their level of education and standard of living and in particular to prevent
such handicaps from being passed on to children.
3. The mass media and
those who control or serve them, as well as all organized groups within
national communities, are urged-with due regard to the principles embodied in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particulary the principle of freedom
of expression-to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among
individuals and groups and to contribute to the eradication of racism, racial
discrimination and racial prejudice, in particular by refraining from
presenting a stereotyped, partial, unilateral or tendentious picture of
individuals and of various human groups. Communication between racial and
ethnic groups must be a reciprocal process, enabling them to express themselves
and to be fully heard without let or hindrance. The mass media should therefore
be freely receptive to ideas of individuals and groups which facilitate such
communication.
Article
6
1.
The State has prime responsibility for ensuring human rights and fundamental
freedoms on an entirely equal footing in dignity and rights for all individuals
and all groups.
2. So far as its
competence extends and in accordance with its constitutional principles and
procedures, the State should take all appropriate steps, inter alia by
legislation, particularly in the spheres of education, culture and
communication, to prevent, prohibit and eradicate racism~ racist propaganda,
racial segregation and apartheid and to encourage the dissemination of
knowledge and the findings of appropriate research in natural and social
sciences on the causes and prevention of racial prejudice and racist attitudes
with due regard to the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
3. Since laws
proscribing racial discrimination are not in themselves sufficient, it is also
incumbent on States to supplement them by administrative machinery for the
systematic investigation of instances of racial discrimination, by a
comprehensive framework of legal remedies against acts of racial
discrimination, by broadly based education and research programmes designed to
combat racial prejudice and racial discrimination and by programmes of positive
political, social, educational and cultural measures calculated to promote
genuine mutual . respect among groups. Where circumstances warrant, special
programmes should be undertaken to promote the advancement of disadvantaged
groups and, in the case of nationals, to ensure their effective participation
in the decision-making processes of the community.
Article
7
In
addition to political, economic and social measures, law is one of the
principal means of ensuring equality in dignity and rights among individuals,
and of curbing any propaganda, any. form of organization or any practice which
is based on ideas or theories referring to the alleged superiority of racial or
ethnic groups or which seeks to justify or encourage racial hatred and
discrimination in any form. States should adopt such legislation as is
appropriate to this end and see that it is given effect and applied by all
their services, with due regard to the principles embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Such legislation should form part of a political,
economic and social framework conducive to its implementation. Individuals and
other legal entities, both public and private, must conform with such
legislation and use all appropriate means to help the population as a whole to
understand and apply it.
Article
8
1.
Individuals, being entitled to an economic, social, cultural and legal order,
on the national and international planes, such as to allow them to exercise all
their capabilities on a basis of entire equality of rights and opportunities,
have corresponding duties towards their fellows, towards the society in which they
live and towards the international community. They are accordingly under an
obligation to promote harmony among the peoples, to combat racism and racial
prejudice and to assist by every means available to them in eradicating racial
discrimination in all its forms.
2. In the field of
racial prejudice and racist attitudes and practices, specialists in natural and
social sciences and cultural studies, as well as scientific organizations and
associations, are called upon to undertake objective research on a wide
interdisciplinary basis; all States should encourage them to this end.
3. It is, in
particular, incumbent upon such specialists to ensure, by all means available
to them, that their research findings are not misinterpreted, and also that
they assist the public in understanding such findings.
Article
9
1.
The principle of the equality in dignity and rights of all human beings and all
peoples, irrespective of race, colour and origin, is a generally accepted and
recognized principle of international law. Consequently any form of racial
discrimination practised by a State constitutes a violation of international
law giving rise to its international responsibility.
2. Special measures
must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and rights for individuals and
groups wherever necessary, while ensuring that they are not such as to appear
racially discriminatory. In this respect, particular attention should be paid
to racial or ethnic groups which are socially or economically disadvantaged, so
as to afford them, on a completely equal footing and without discrimination or
restriction, the protection of the laws and regulations and the advantages of
the social measures in force, in particular in regard to housing, employment
and health; to respect the authenticity of their culture and values; and to
facilitate their social and occupational advancement, especially through
education.
3. Population groups
of foreign origin, particularly migrant workers and their families who
contribute to the development of the host country, should benefit from
appropriate measures designed to afford them security and respect for their
dignity and cultural values and to facilitate their adaptation to the host
environment and their professional advancement with a view to their subsequent
reintegration in their country of origin and their contribution to its
development; steps should be taken to make it possible for their children to be
taught their mother tongue.
4. Existing disequilibria
in international economic relations contribute to the exacerbation of racism
and racial prejudice; all States should consequently endeavour to contribute to
the restructuring of the international economy on a more equitable basis.
Article
10
International
organizations, whether universal or regional, governmental or non-governmental,
are called upon to co-operate and assist, so far as their respective fields of
competence and means allow, in the full and complete implementation of the
principles set out in this Declaration, thus contributing to the legitimate
struggle of all men, born equal in dignity and rights, against the tyranny and
oppression of racism, racial segregation, apartheid and genocide, so that all
the peoples of the world may be forever delivered from these scourges.
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Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Switzerland