---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 17:02:07 EST From: [log in to unmask] Reply-To: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] Subject: [wa-afr] NGO's Classify Slavery As Crime Against Humanity Thema: NGO's Classify Slavery As Crime Against Humanity Datum: 24.01.01 22:55:41 (MEZ) Mitteleuropäische Zeit Von: GhanaUnion An: [log in to unmask] NGOs Classify Slavery As Crime Against Humanity Some 170 Non-governmental organisations and representatives of African and international civil societies have recommended that slavery, slave trade and colonisation be declared as crimes against humanity. The recommendation is contained in a document titled the "Dakar Declaration", which was adopted Tuesday in Senegalese capital, following their 20-21 January forum. The declaration has been forwarded to the African regional meeting, which ends on Wednesday after preparing the continent's position document for the world conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa from 31st August to 7 September 2001. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, attended the African conference, opened Monday by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. In that declaration, the NGOs asked the African conference closing on Wednesday evening to "recognise and declare that slavery, slave trade and colonisation, of which the African continent and the diaspora suffered, are crimes against humanity." It calls for the recognition of the right of Africans in the continent and the Diaspora to "fair and equitable compensation." The position of the NGOs contradicts President Abdoulaye Wade's claim in his opening address the previous day that racism was no longer a "major problem" in the current world. Wade shocked the audience by saying he personally disagreed with those who have been pressing for financial compensation on behalf of the black race, which suffered enormously as a result of racism. This declaration was not well received by several participants, including some within the Senegalese delegation. A member of the team preparing the conference's final draft document told PANA that the Dakar meeting could suggest the creation of a compensatory mechanism for victims of slavery and a compensation fund for development. Wade's statement was also received with reservations by non-governmental human rights organisations, who have been pressing for reparations to blacks who suffered enormously under slave trade and slavery. The NGOs urged all African states to ratify all conventions related with slavery, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and the arising intolerance and "to harmonise their legislation with the said treaties". They also urged the African governments to take measures for the practical application of these laws. PanAfrican News Agency * January 24, 2001 * Dakar / SENEGAL llllllllll * //\\//\\ unioNews Newsgroup //\\//\\ * *http://members.aol.com/GhanaUnion* * We're One People * * Join the Chorus * - "Africa Must Unite!" - ============================= A luta Continua! Our next meeting is Wednesday, Jan 31, Garfield Comm Ctr, E Cherry and 23rd, Seattle 7:00 PM WSAN business meeting 8:00 PM Program: Pan-African and International Conference for the Cancellation of the African and Third World Debt/Jubilee South We usually meet the last Wednesday of the month. To post a message: [log in to unmask] To subscribe sending a blank message to [log in to unmask] To unsubscribe send a blank message to [log in to unmask] For complete information on the Washington State Africa Network visit: www.ibike.org/africamatters ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------