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The Dalit caucus upped the ante this
morning, conducting a vociferous public demonstration outside the
entrance to the International Convention Centre. They shouted
"We demand Para 73", "Delegates, don't walk away
without Para 73". "Don't dilute Para 73" and
"Don't sell out the Dalits" to the beat of the dalit
drum. As the delegates finished filing in, the caucus announced
they were beginning a hunger fast and sat down in quiet defiance
to show their true commitment to the inclusion of caste
discrimination in the WCAR.
An informal meeting was held between
India, Cuba, Holy See, Finland(?) and India (gave new language),
Namibia (supported new), Cuba (supported new), Canada (supported
original language on 'work and descent'), Norway (supported
original) spoke regarding paragraph 73.
Proposed Para 73. Urges States
to ensure that all necessary constitutional, legislative and
administrative measures, including appropriate forms of
affirmative and positive measures, are in place, particularly
in areas of education and employment, to prohibit and redress
discrimination on the basis of race, colour, work
and descent, or national or ethnic origin, and
that such measures are respected and implemented, by all
State authorities at all levels as necessary;
Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Egypt,
Indonesia, Barbados, Belgium, Colombia, Nepal were all waiting to
speak. The chair could not replace the original paragraph as
there was clearly not enough support for India's preferred
language. The chair closed discussion and asked all interested
parties to informally negotiate with Egypt regarding the
paragraph. It was clarified later that this was a mistake and he
meant India. Discussion is due to be completed tonight.
Posted on 2001-09-20
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