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Canada & the UN > Newton Bowles Reports
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) South Africa (President Nelson Mandela) President Mandela had presided over the Twelfth NAM Summit in Durban, South Africa, just before this Assembly. He commended the Conference findings, especially its Durban Declaration, to the General Assembly. The full Conference report runs to 127 pages. Here are excerpts from the Declaration: We, the Heads of State or Government of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries who have met in Durban, South Africa, on 2 and 3 September 1998: At the dawn of the new millennium, aware of the symbolism of being on a shore where we get the first glimpse of the sun rising over the Indian Ocean, now pronounce ourselves as follows: Our Movement embodies the aspirations, the hopes and the combined yearnings of the peoples of the South to live in peace and security. The Non-Aligned Movement spread so widely and so representative of the majority -- with such abundance in commodities and biophysical diversity -- has a central role to play in regulating the advance of humanity. Tested over 43 years of experience, with a proud history of achievement and made wider by our setbacks, the Movement is emerging as the power of the new millennium -- striving to be open, democratic and a forward-looking group of nations. We emerge from the XII NAM meeting acutely aware of the real difficulties ahead, not the least those threats, old and new, facing humankind such as drugs, AIDS, transnational crime, famine, terrorism and environmental degradation. We see dramatic evidence in the world at large, and in the developed world in particular, of exaggerated ethnicity, of chauvinism and xenophobia. These evils are subtly replacing the more formal racism that exists. Whilst globalisation holds out the promise of prosperity, it brings with it severe challenges for the developing countries. This promise of prosperity has not touched the vast majority of the world's population, especially in the least developed countries. In this lies the seed of a dangerous new process of uneven development. We must take up the challenge to fundamentally transform international relations, so as to eradicate aggression, racism, the use of force, unilateral coercive measures and unfair economic practices, foreign occupation and xenophobia in order to achieve a world of peace, justice and dignity for all. This revolution in waiting can bring delivery to the destitute and diseased, justice to the oppressed, relief to impoverished debtors, equality to women, succour to children, an end to discrimination and foreign occupation -- and a burgeoning and dignified partnership, as full equals, with the North. The creation of a multilateral rules-based system is fundamentally an advance, but to be successful it must carry the endorsement of and active participation by developing countries. If there is confidence in the system all parties will feel comfortable. That confidence flows from real involvement, and respect for the interests of all countries, large and small, rich or poor, weak or powerful. Developing economies must negotiate their specific needs within this framework. To achieve these objectives we have to ensure the democratisation of international institutions, with effective representation for the formerly excluded in the top councils of the world. The wind of democratic change must blow in the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, the World Bank, the IMF and all other international and regional organisations in order to meet the needs of the world's majority. As we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, nothing should be used as a convenient mask to hide genocide, gross violations of human rights and crimes against humanity, nor should human rights be used as a political instrument for interference in internal affairs. We must seek a world order of compassion for the weak, of human rights and development for all. We recognise that human rights and democracy do not, of themselves, automatically bring a better world. They require an environment of peace and development, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. Socio-economic rights, including the right to development, are inextricably part of real human rights. Finally, it is poverty that, more than any other of the devastating threats facing the world, must be ended. Eradicating poverty is a practical possibility, and an economic imperative for global well being. Durban must mark the turning point where the formerly dispossessed, the majority, enter into their inheritance. The full Conference report affirms that "the principles set forth in the United Nations Charter are its irrevocable moral and political commitment." A NAM Working Group is to prepare a plan of action for the Movement. While Nelson Mandela touched on NAM's concerns, he was at the same time delivering his valedictory, stressing personal moral responsibility. Poverty and intra-state conflicts "all result from acts of commission and omission" (my emphasis) mainly by leaders. Violations of human rights "are the consequence of decisions men and women take, or refuse to take..." He saluted Nigeria's move toward democracy. He is retiring to his village in the hope that leaders are emerging who will usher in an era of peace and freedom. |
