Statement by H.E. Mohan Peiris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations at the 2021 ECOSOC Special Meeting - Reimagining Equality: Eliminating racism, xenophobia and discrimination for all in the decade of action for the SDGs
Mr. President,
Throughout history racism, xenophobia and discrimination have indeed tested our democratic values and the contemporary forms of discrimination presents to us major challenges in our quest for peace and social stability. The unabated tirade of hate speech, a resurgence of nationalist populism and organizations that promote ideologies of racial superiority are debacles for all of us. How do we move beyond the rhetoric and move forward to address these issues? This brings to mind the late President Nelson Mandela when he said and I quote:
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - unquote