38/04
Geneva, 8 May 2004
On World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, governments urged to act against discrimination
The President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies has urged Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide to work with
their governments to step up their efforts to combat stigma and discrimination
and take active measures to promote tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.
It is a matter of profound concern to us that while many resolutions have been
adopted in support of this general objective, discrimination remains a serious
problem in almost all countries, Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro said in an appeal
on the occasion of 8 May, World Red Cross Red Crescent Day. It is time for
action.
His call draws attention to the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS,
as well as the vulnerabilities of minorities and other marginalized groups.
Suarez del Toros appeal came as the 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies staged events under the global theme, Stop Discrimination. He said
it was vital that the message being delivered to people everywhere by their
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their dedicated volunteers is supported
by work at the international and governmental levels.
The president said the Federation had taken an active part in many international
meetings addressing stigma and discrimination issues since the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopted a wide-ranging resolution on the
subject in December 2003. After the adoption of the resolution, the Federation
pledged to develop partnerships and promote dialogue on the issue with governments.
Since launching a major campaign against HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination
on 8 May 2002, the Federation has become a leading advocate for policy change,
in partnership with key civil society organizations, such as the Global Network
of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+). This includes calling for greater access
to anti-retroviral therapy, an issue the Federation will raise at the forthcoming
World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The foundation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movements commitment to challenge
discrimination is its Fundamental Principle of Impartiality, which states that
the Movement: "makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious
beliefs, class or political opinions".
For further information, or to set up interviews (ISDN line available in Geneva),
please contact:
Marie-Francoise Borel, Information Officer Tel. + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79
217 33 45
Eva M. Calvo, Information Officer Tel. + 41 22 730 43 57 / + 41 79 217 33 72
Roy Probert, Information Officer Tel. + 41 22 730 42 96 / + 41 79 217 33 86
Media Service, duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81
The Federation, the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International
Committee of the Red Cross together constitute the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement. For further information on Federation activities, please
see our web site: www.ifrc.org
|