Message of support - Roundtable event of the UN Migration MPTF and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to facilitate implementation of the National Action Plan to combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance

It is a privilege to deliver this message of support on behalf of the United Nations family in South Africa.

I wish to begin by thanking you Director General and colleagues at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for organizing this important roundtable with the support of Departments that are present with us today.

This roundtable takes place just two months after we gathered to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 3rd World Conference Against Racism. The United Nations also commemorated this important landmark by holding a General Assembly High Level meeting on the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and launched a #FightRacism campaign. At both occasions whether nationally or internationally, calls were made for intensified efforts to implement measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

In a similar vein, in May this year at the first International Migration Review Forum hosted by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to implement the Global Compact on Migration (also known as the GCM) and underscored that the Constitution and Bill of Rights provide a solid basis for the implementation of the GCM and the protection of all migrants. South Africa also highlighted that while it has made great strides toward the regularization of migrants, through for example special dispensation permits, there are still challenges. Particularly with respect to the impact of COVID-19 and its lingering effects on economies, people, and resources available. The need for resources to implement the GCM as well as important actions contained in South Africa’s National Action Plan was referred to as an important priority.

It is in this spirit that the United Nations family represented here today, have come together to acknowledge the efforts that South Africa has made to promote good governance, a peaceful and cohesive society and also to work alongside Government to address challenges as identified in the National Development Plan on the elimination of poverty, reduction of inequality and growing an inclusive economy by 2030.

In April 2022, the United Nations signed a UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with Government which outlines the joint areas of collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of South Africa in the implementation of the National Development Plan. The results areas aim to contribute to the sustainable development agenda of people, planet, peace, and prosperity. This includes emphasis on human capital and social transformation – which focuses on improving inclusion and access to social services, such as health, well-being, and quality education, and strengthening the enjoyment of human rights and the protection from violence, discrimination and violations for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

The Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund Joint Programme includes representation from Government and several United Nations entities including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UN Women, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was conceptualized in order to map out clear, targeted, and feasible actions and collaborations to strengthen social cohesion and migrant integration in South Africa in line with the NDP and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

It is a programme that does at least three things.

First, it acknowledges South Africa’s strong commitment to fighting xenophobia, through, for example, the participatory development and adoption of its National Action Plan, as well as its ratification of international refugee, labour and human rights treaties and implementation of recommendations it has received from international bodies regarding racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes.

Second, it is aligned to existing efforts within the framework of the NAP and Chapter 15 of the NDP which focuses on transforming society and uniting the country.

And finally, it provides additional capacity to South Africa’s ongoing efforts to combat human rights concerns related to migration and achieve social cohesion.

Our work and collective efforts in this area must be fit for purpose as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance are systemic issues that continue to plague our society. Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that often repeat themselves. In order to combat these, the work of those of us in the United Nations, in Government, in Chapter 9 institutions and in civil society, is vital.

It was 20 years ago in Durban that we were reminded that structural racism, and systemic injustice still deny people their fundamental rights. More recently, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the World Conference against Racism, the United Nations Secretary-General said that the "Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was meant to break the vicious cycle, in which discrimination leads to deprivation, and poverty deepens discrimination. He pointed out that we can overcome these harmful afflictions and heal, if we recognize diversity as richness; if we understand – as Durban did – that the fight against racism is both a global universal effort, and a concrete struggle in every society." Systemic change, is both urgent and necessary. It is essential that we act to ensure that problematic cycles and patterns do not repeat themselves.

Transformative change is within our reach.

Combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance is first and foremost about ways of connecting as humans.

It also requires that engagement necessarily includes all people in all sectors of society – including across all perceived markers of difference. This implicates the media, the private sector, corporations, all actors who shape our sense of place and being in the world.

The spirit of the MPTF Joint Programme on Migration envisages a whole-of-society approach. It brings together various United Nations organizations, as well as Government partners and other role players – individuals who can bring about change with what they have; as well as entities that can support and amplify these individual acts of change

It takes us back to the theme for this year’s Mandela Day which asks each of us to do what we can with what we have and where we are. It is the sum parts of what each of us does that together overwhelm the world.

Indeed, every small action does count. And equally, where we can do more and agree on concrete actions that will create a better world, we must come together to play our part. South Africa is in a unique position to redouble its efforts as it commemorates 25 years since the adoption of its Constitution.

Today, we have come together to reaffirm that commitment and agree on concrete actions through which we can provide this support.

The roadmap before us, as the United Nations family and Government, is to do what we can, with what we have, where we are; and to do so with urgency.

I thank you.

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Abigail Noko

Regional Representative of the Regional Office of OHCHR in Southern Africa