Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations on the commemorative plenary meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; 18 March 2016.

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations on the commemorative plenary meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; 18 March 2016.

Mr. President, Excellencies, we align ourselves with the statement made by Indonesia on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group. On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I join the international community in reaffirming our firm commitment to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Bangladesh would like to reiterate its principled and uncompromising stand against racial discrimination which is aptly manifested in our Constitution and as well as in our entire legal and administrative framework. Our Constitution prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds of race, religion, caste or creed, gender or place of birth. We promote international cooperation amongst and between nations irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, culture and civilization.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government maintains a “zero tolerance” policy to all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. Our flagship GA resolution in the UN on “culture of peace”, which receives overwhelming support from the comity of nations every year, is a testimony of our commitment towards the principle of inclusion and peaceful co-existence of diverse groups. We believe in unity in diversity. Our adherence to the culture of pluralism, communal harmony, democracy, freedom, liberalism, peace and development is well-acclaimed by the international community.
This year, the International Day is devoted to challenges and achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. As we observe the auspicious day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination , 15 years after the adoption of the landmark document we notice, people around the world are facing discrimination, suppression and oppression on the ground of their racial, religious or ethnic identity. We are dismayed that hundreds of millions of human beings including migrants and refugees continue to suffer today from racism, discrimination, xenophobia and exclusion. There is a clear need for putting into practice what was agreed to in Durban.
We call for stronger international cooperation for elimination of racial discrimination from the world. We reiterate the importance of ratifying and fully implementing the international convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination which is the universal foundation for efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate racism. As a state party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and an active member of the UN Human Rights Council, we support comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Convention.
We all must also show strong political resolve and make further efforts to implement the recommendations of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action for elimination of racial discrimination. The new Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development also recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies that are based on respect for human rights for all. We must redouble our efforts to resolve all disputes generating intolerance, discrimination and hatred. I hope the day is not far when our collective efforts will succeed to create a society based on tolerance, inclusion, justice, equality, equity, and human rights.
I thank you.