Ambassador, Osmar Chohfi, Chair of the OAS Committee on Juridical Affairs, Ms. Maria Cristina Pereira Da Silva, President of the Working Group on the Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and all Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance; Ms. Gay McDougal, UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues; Mr. Doudou Diene, UN Special Rapporteur on Racism; Ambassador Juan Martabit, Distinguished guests, members of the diplomatic community and Representatives of the civil society organizations, Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all, let me begin by expressing my gratitude to Ms. Gay McDougal for inviting me to open this very important seminar on Regional Standards and Mechanisms to Combat Discrimination and to Protect Minority Rights. I appreciate and welcome the collaboration with the United Nations on this very important topic.

We are also very pleased that, within the Americas, this undesirable phenomenon has gained the attention of policy makers and that it has been included in the agenda of the inter-American system to the extent that we now have concrete mandates to guide our work and assist us in negotiating a hemispheric-wide instrument.

I will not speak too much especially because I know the people attending this seminar are the very experts and informed advocates who are working toward the legal frameworks and policies for the elimination of discrimination in the Americas.

Many of us at a given point in time may have experienced or perceived certain types of behavior which we categorize as discriminatory, and which creates a feeling of indescribable discomfort or dissatisfaction. Today, however, we speak about discrimination, social exclusion and the deliberate denial of opportunities over long periods of time, perpetrated against major groups in society, institutionalized through rules and regulations or engrained patterns of behavior either random or structured in such ways that they ultimately become “second nature” in society. This is inexcusable and an unacceptable social and moral scourge which must be dealt with firmly and with full commitment at all levels in society.

In reflecting on a message for these opening remarks, I recalled the words of Albert Camus who said that “if one man’s rights are denied, the rights of all are endangered”. I share these sentiments and belief that if we want to build just and peaceful societies characterized by inclusiveness and social equity we must be stewards of these ideas and subscribe to the ethos of Albert Camus in our work. We must make fighting racism and any forms of discrimination our common cause. When we tackle discrimination, we also eliminate the fuel which feeds social exclusion, poverty, violence and inequality.

In fact, I propose that our efforts should not be limited to establishing standards or providing protection for those marginalized groups, but must also focus on ensuring the inclusion of all ethnic groups and minorities in the processes of democracy, governance, security and development. There is a need for public policies to draw attention to and to correct the unfair conditions under which many people live; to fight prejudice and stereotypes, and to promote understanding and respect.

I believe that if Latin American and Caribbean countries are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals especially that of halving the region's poverty rate by 2015 it will require commitment to eliminate institutional and social barriers confronting all minorities, including Afro-Latinos. Obviously this is a very complex phenomenon, therefore, we will have to adopt a holistic approach, and conduct candid in-depth analysis of the associated structural and institutional bases and biases. It will mean proposing initiatives, measures, and legislation that address the real problems. In addition, our efforts should include measures to convince legislators, politicians and policy-makers to be action-driven, and to translate analysis into policies and enforceable legislation.

This is especially important in our Hemisphere. According to the World Bank, of the 520 million people living in Latin America and the Caribbean there are over 150 million (30%) people of African descent. Throughout the region, "Afro-Latinos", as they are known, suffer most disproportionately from effects of poverty and social exclusion.

Indeed, all too often persons belonging to ethnic minority groups and indigenous peoples, among others, are marginalized to the point of invisibility and denied access to opportunity. Racism and discrimination feed the vicious cycle of poverty and lack of development in our countries. They affect access to education, health care, employment, equal wages, housing, justice, and effective participation in public life.

In the end we need to realize that there is a moral obligation to not only discuss equality, social exclusion and injustice and ultimately eradicate discrimination, but that from a political, economic and security perspective it is in the interest of all in society to tackle this problem.

I believe that, given the complex nature of this problem, only through a holistic approach meaningful results can be achieved. The leadership at the OAS recognizes the mutually reinforcing nature of democracy, integral development and multidimensional security, and that this provides a multilateral policy framework to achieve the ultimate objectives of the OAS: peaceful societies, sustainable economies and stable social systems.

As you are aware the Organization of American States is increasingly taking a pro- active role in addressing issues related to discrimination, racism, and the protection of minority rights. In this regard, the OAS has been working diligently on this very topic through the Working Group on the Draft Convention on Racism and Discrimination.

Despite the challenges the region faces, including a history of slavery and the legacy of colonial rule, the nations of the Western Hemisphere are blessed with amazing diversity which showcases its multicultural, multilingual, multi-ethnic and multi-religious makeup. It is time to appreciate this rich heritage and recognize how much we can benefit from this cultural diversity, instead of allowing it to be used as a tool to division, social exclusion and injustice.

Ladies and gentlemen, I reiterate that Latin-America and the Caribbean is a region where racial diversity constitutes an inherited social treasure. It is our responsibility value it and to hold it up as a beacon for future generations to treasure. The only way that future generations can benefit is through commitment and working together in the provision of high quality health care, education, legal protection, labor rights and financial services, among others.

Ensuring the protection of the rights and freedoms of afro-descendants, indigenous people, women, children and disabled persons among others is not a gift we parcel out to them, it is their inalienable rights and freedom. We owe it to them. If we fail to act, then by our silence and inaction we become complicit. In terms of international legal instruments the Inter-American Human Rights Convention points out in article 24 that “All persons are equal before the law” and that “consequently, they are entitled, without discrimination, to equal protection of the law”. We must instill in ourselves and our children, and the wider society that social justice, equality, and the elimination of discrimination are key ingredients for progress and the consolidation of peace in our hemisphere.

I am pleased to see the growing optimism in the Region as several countries move towards adopting anti-discrimination policies. I understand that we now have at least 13 countries that have these types of policies in place and Brazil has now established a Ministry for Social Inclusion. This is very good news, especially since, available data suggest that Afro-descendants and indigenous populations in Latin America are far more likely than citizens of European origin to live in poverty, be illiterate, die at a younger age, reside in substandard housing, and suffer from police abuse. Latin-America and the Caribbean as a region have undertaken through the OAS important initiatives to guarantee the rights of our citizens such as the Inter-American Draft Convention against Racism, Discrimination and Intolerance.

In today’s complex world of globalization, it is not difficult to gauge how additional factors such forced migration, unemployment, lack of income, natural resource exploitation, and the lack of education and access to information regarding social and cultural rights are directly related to perpetuating the poverty cycle.

Promoting awareness and raising consciousness among the perpetrators of discrimination and those discriminated against require major effort and ongoing attention. In this regard, it is important to note the recent study on how the judicial systems treat the many Afro-descendants, indigenous peoples and migrants in the Hemisphere.

It is clear that our legal systems too must work to ensure that no person will be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, religion or ideology. This is a process in which the OAS is drawing on the expert views and past experience of the UN system and the work of the non-governmental organizations.

But we need to start somewhere—in order to make a difference—an Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance will pave the way for better policies and mechanism in the protection of minority rights.

The OAS is committed in the fight against racism and discrimination in the Americas. Having the Inter-American Convention is a sine qua non and will contribute to building political will and undoubtedly provide national and international protection mechanism. But expanding our work with other institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank ant the Inter-American Development Bank is necessary in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and increase the access of minorities to adequate services for social development.

Today’s event is an ideal opportunity to define the tasks that the OAS and other organizations have for the upcoming years. I’m sure that we are working in the right track, but we must accelerate the process that together begun several years before. Racism and discrimination happen by voluntary actions, but they can also occur for not taking the correct measures or simply for lack of awareness.

Finally, I believe that this is very timely brain storming session. I welcome you all to this event and reiterate the OAS’s commitment towards the eradication of racism, discrimination and all other forms of social exclusion.