Racism has expressed itself historically in a myriad of tragic ways; and, within every arena, women are suffering multiple discrimination because of their gender. And the damage goes on.

The industrial wealth and technological advantage of some nations have been built in significant part upon slave labor and colonial resources. As a result, the current processes of trade liberalization and globalization, compounded by excessive military spending, are exacerbating poverty. Justice demands that this situation be reversed. Human rights, essential social services, including access to health care and essential medicines, -- especially for communities ravaged by HIV / AIDS - must be given priority in the development process over the principles of economic liberalization and intellectual property rights.

The essential elements of reconciliation are truth telling, an acknowledgment of guilt, a request for forgiveness and reparation for damage done. The Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace has noted, "Reparations should erase all the consequences of illicit action and restore things to the way they would most probably be." This presents a strong challenge and a worthwhile benchmark for the work of this conference.

Therefore, we call on the World Conference and Member states to:

	create mechanisms by which this restoration can be accomplished, such as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission;
	restore land to those dispossessed;
	cancel debts;
	support and promote education in human rights that combats racism and creates a culture of peace;
	return cultural inheritance from museums; and

make space at important decision-making tables for the victims of racism.

We urge you to remember the millions of voices calling upon us for a world free of racism and intolerance as you make the decisions before you this week. We pledge our support for every concrete step toward reconciliation based on the eradication of racism and its pervasive effects - and our vigilant attention to the fulfillment of commitments made at this Conference.

FRANCISCANS INTERNATIONAL
INFORMATION NOTE

FI stresses its respect for all victims of racism, but it cannot fully endorse the NGO Declaration and Program of Action adopted during the WCAR.

Through its participation in the migration, the religious and the international NG0s caucuses, Franciscans International has offered its contribution to the drafting process of the NGO Declaration and Program of Action before and during the NGO Forum of the World Conference Against Racism.

In particular, in its capacity of Rapporteur of the Commission on Religious Intolerance, FI has facilitated dialogue and provided human rights language in dealing with this issue.

Though we appreciate that our paragraphs on religious intolerance were retained in the NGO Declaration and Program of Action, as an international NGO and in line with our guiding principles, we have to highlight some other aspects of the text that concern us.

We recognize and value that the NGO Declaration and Program of Action express the voice of the victims and the way in which they perceive the acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance committed against them. However, it must not be forgotten that there are other grave discriminatory situations crying to be heard such as the plight of the Christian minority in Pakistan and of the Afghan people, and especially of the Afghan women, against the Taliban régime.

At the same time, FI dissociates itself from any inflammatory, inaccurate and polarizing paragraph contained in the NGO document, as they do not lead to tolerance and mutual understanding, which are, indeed, the main goals of the WCAR.

FI also regrets that the NGO text presents some weaknesses and inconsistencies with agreed international human rights standards.

In accordance with its mission statement, FI wishes to reiterate its respect for all the victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and its on-going commitment to work in view of the eradication of racism through UN mechanisms and procedures.