Latest news with #InternationalDayfortheEliminationofRacialDiscrimination
Ottawa Citizen
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Hedy Fry, Canada's oldest MP, is running for reelection. She got her start by taking down a PM
Article content Article content In America, where electoral politics is typically fairer, Chuck Grassley has been in office even longer, senator for Iowa since 1981, and he is chasing the late Strom Thurmond's astonishing record of having made it to age 100 in office, and the late Robert Byrd's record of serving in the Senate for more than 51 years. Article content Article content Canada, as usual, is not out there at the extremes of global politics, with neither the oldest politicians nor the youngest. (South Africa elected 20-year-old Cleo Wilskut to the National Assembly last year.) Article content Article content Hedy Fry is not even the longest serving Canadian MP up for re-election today. That honour is held by Louis Plamondon, 81, Canada's Dean of the House as the MP with the longest unbroken record of service, and his is the longest ever. Article content But Plamondon represents the Bloc Québécois in Bécancour–Nicolet–Saurel–Alnôbak on the rural South Shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Trois-Rivières, as he has done since 1984. As a Liberal in central Vancouver, Fry's riding is arguably more vulnerable to changing political fortunes on the national scale, which makes her longevity as the longest serving female Member of Parliament all the more notable. Over the years, she has faced serious challengers from both the left and the right. Article content Article content Article content Fry was a doctor when she ran against short-lived Progressive Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell in 1993, beating her by 31 per cent of votes to 25, marking the end of Campbell's time in elected office. Article content She was named to cabinet in 1996 as minister for multiculturalism and the status of women. She came to the greatest public notice across Canada for inflammatory and false comments in the House of Commons, while speaking in 2001 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
National Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Hedy Fry, Canada's oldest MP, is running for reelection. She got her start by taking down a PM
Among the grand old men and women of world politics, Paul Biya stands out as a record holder, the oldest serving state leader at age 92, and president of Cameroon since 1982. Article content Article content In America, where electoral politics is typically fairer, Chuck Grassley has been in office even longer, senator for Iowa since 1981, and he is chasing the late Strom Thurmond's astonishing record of having made it to age 100 in office, and the late Robert Byrd's record of serving in the Senate for more than 51 years. Article content Article content Canada, as usual, is not out there at the extremes of global politics, with neither the oldest politicians nor the youngest. (South Africa elected 20-year-old Cleo Wilskut to the National Assembly last year.) Article content Article content Hedy Fry is not even the longest serving Canadian MP up for re-election today. That honour is held by Louis Plamondon, 81, Canada's Dean of the House as the MP with the longest unbroken record of service, and his is the longest ever. Article content But Plamondon represents the Bloc Québécois in Bécancour–Nicolet–Saurel–Alnôbak on the rural South Shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Trois-Rivières, as he has done since 1984. As a Liberal in central Vancouver, Fry's riding is arguably more vulnerable to changing political fortunes on the national scale, which makes her longevity as the longest serving female Member of Parliament all the more notable. Over the years, she has faced serious challengers from both the left and the right. Article content Article content Article content Fry was a doctor when she ran against short-lived Progressive Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell in 1993, beating her by 31 per cent of votes to 25, marking the end of Campbell's time in elected office. Article content She was named to cabinet in 1996 as minister for multiculturalism and the status of women. She came to the greatest public notice across Canada for inflammatory and false comments in the House of Commons, while speaking in 2001 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Article content 'We can just go to British Columbia in Prince George, where crosses are being burned on lawns as we speak,' Fry said. That prompted an RCMP denial, general outrage, and an apology delivered in Parliament the next day.
Vancouver Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Hedy Fry, Canada's oldest MP, is running for reelection. She got her start by taking down a PM
Article content Among the grand old men and women of world politics, Paul Biya stands out as a record holder, the oldest serving state leader at age 92, and president of Cameroon since 1982. Article content Article content In America, where electoral politics is typically fairer, Chuck Grassley has been in office even longer, senator for Iowa since 1981, and he is chasing the late Strom Thurmond's astonishing record of having made it to age 100 in office, and the late Robert Byrd's record of serving in the Senate for more than 51 years. Article content Article content Canada, as usual, is not out there at the extremes of global politics, with neither the oldest politicians nor the youngest. (South Africa elected 20-year-old Cleo Wilskut to the National Assembly last year.) Article content Article content Hedy Fry is not even the longest serving Canadian MP up for re-election today. That honour is held by Louis Plamondon, 81, Canada's Dean of the House as the MP with the longest unbroken record of service, and his is the longest ever. Article content But Plamondon represents the Bloc Québécois in Bécancour–Nicolet–Saurel–Alnôbak on the rural South Shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Trois-Rivières, as he has done since 1984. As a Liberal in central Vancouver, Fry's riding is arguably more vulnerable to changing political fortunes on the national scale, which makes her longevity as the longest serving female Member of Parliament all the more notable. Over the years, she has faced serious challengers from both the left and the right. Article content Article content Fry was a doctor when she ran against short-lived Progressive Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell in 1993, beating her by 31 per cent of votes to 25, marking the end of Campbell's time in elected office. Article content She was named to cabinet in 1996 as minister for multiculturalism and the status of women. She came to the greatest public notice across Canada for inflammatory and false comments in the House of Commons, while speaking in 2001 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Somalia: United Nations (UN) launches anti-racism campaign, reaffirms zero tolerance for discrimination
The United Nations mission in Somalia recently commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, reaffirming its commitment to zero tolerance for racial discrimination within the UN system. To mark the day, the UN SHARE Team, the Anti-racism task force of the UN in Somalia, organized several activities to commemorate the 2025 Anti-Racism Awareness week, including an online town hall meeting, launch of an awareness booth, screening of a movie on the negative effects of racism. UN personnel also participated in an awareness caravan, in which conversations on racism and anti-racism were held at several locations within the UN compound. Finally, many UN Somalia staff members also signed a Pledge Wall, where they committed to taking action against racism. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1965, the day is observed annually on 21 March, since 1979, through a series of activities and events to show solidarity with people fighting against racism and racial discrimination. 'Let me begin by underscoring that there is absolutely zero tolerance for racism and racial discrimination in the UN in Somalia,' said the Acting UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, at the town hall co-hosted with United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Director of Mission Support and Officer in Charge, Ms. Qurat ul-Ain Sadozai. Given the theme of the Anti-racism Week, 'Let's talk About Racism!', the two officials reaffirmed the UN's commitment to combating racism and promoting an inclusive and equitable environment. 'For those of you who experience or witness incidents of racial discrimination, I wish to remind you that there are available channels to report racism without fear of retaliation,' Mr. Swan said, adding that, 'racial discrimination is prohibited conduct in the UN, with serious consequences.'' The top UN official emphasised the need for sustained efforts to raise awareness about existing reporting channels, aiming to combat racism and build trust and confidence in the UN's internal justice mechanisms. 'If we don't engage in discussions about it, and take action to combat it at interpersonal, institutional and structural levels, we may, in fact, allow it to perpetuate and thus contribute to an environment of disharmony and division, rather than one of dialogue, understanding and inclusion,' said Mr Swan. Ms. Sadozai commended the SHARE Team for organizing the event to raise awareness on racial discrimination and promote equity and inclusivity. 'This is a stark reminder for all of us to raise our voice in solidarity and make a concerted effort to promote a world free of racial discrimination. Racism continues to impact our world, and addressing it is as important as ever,' said Ms. Sadozai, noting that combating racism resonates with the UN's four core values of inclusion, integrity, humility and humanity. 'At the UN, we work in a multi-cultural and racially diverse environment, and it is incumbent upon us to individually uphold values of mutual respect, tolerance and equality. There is no place for bias, discrimination, and exclusion within our organization and our operations, and as such, there must be zero tolerance for any form of racism and discrimination.' Senior UN officials attended the event, including World Food Programme (WFP) Country Representative Elkahdir Daloum, who represented UN Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Somalia, George Conway. Mr. Daloum praised the appointment of Anti-Racism Advocates and welcomed the inclusion of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes in efforts to combat racism. Presentations were made by the Anti-Racism Advocates from the UN in Somalia, Deryck Fritz and Cristina Gavazzo, as well as SHARE Team coordinators Michelle Doerlemann and Mohamoud Ali Ahmed from the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and Nicolas Kimwele from UNSOS. Additionally, over 350 UN staff from various sectors and Agencies, Funds and Programmes attended virtually. One of the highlights of the online town hall was the presentation of the results of the SHARE Team's anti-racism perception survey, the Pulse Check, which gathered data on the self-identification of UN personnel, their understanding of racism, their personal experience with racism in the workplace, and the perception of the diversity of the UN leadership and the workforce in general. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
Euronews
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Thousands protest racism, rise of the right in the Netherlands, France
ADVERTISEMENT More than 10,000 people gathered in Dam Square in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, to participate in a massive protest against racism, fascism and far-right policies on Saturday. The demonstration – organised by Comité 21 Maart – an anti-racism association – came one day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on 21 March since its 1966 declaration by the United Nations. Groups also involved in the organisation of the event included Amnesty International, Kick Out Zwarte Piet, the Dutch Palestine Committee and Another Jewish Voice. Protesters held signs reading 'Never Again' as they warned against the rise of the far-right across Europe, drawing memory to the early 20th century when fascism rose to prominence. The theme of fascism was added this year to the annual rally. Protesters also waved flags in support of Palestine, after Israel's recent resumption of fighting in Gaza which has claimed the lives of close to 50,000 people in the enclave, across 15-months of fighting with Hamas. Thousands take part in anti-racism, anti-fascism demonstrations in Dam Square, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Saturday, March 22, 2025 EBU Turkish flags were also waved in solidarity with Turkish protesters demonstrating in Istanbul and other major cities against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and key opposition figure to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu. Protesters voiced their opposition and expressed concern at their domestic governance, after the Dutch government veered sharply to the right last year when four right-wing parties agreed to form a coalition. 'We see that there is a greater growth of radical far right, that racist expressions are on the rise. And if you look at the United States, of course a lot of bad things are happening there,' said a woman participating in the protest. 'I'm here today because of my growing concern about what's happening all over the world. Racism is rising, fascism is rising. So I thought, what can I do?" said another protester. The demonstration in the Netherlands was peaceful. An official spokesperson reported that no arrests were carried out during the rally. A pink smoke is fired as people march during the international day against racism and fascism, in Paris, Saturday, March 22, 2025 Thibault Camus/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved. Protests also took place across France. The French Interior Ministry announced that nearly 91,000 people took part in nationwide demonstrations calling for an end to racism and discriminate policies. The largest protest took place in the capital, Paris, attracting more than 21,000 people. Demonstrators rallied to raise awareness to what they called an environment that fosters and accommodates hate speech and extremism. Protesters voiced their rejection of far-right parties amid the rightward shift in French politics and the government's recent pledge to crackdown on immigration and beef up border controls. Protesters clashed with police in the French capital, where riot police units were deployed to preserve the peace and quell any unrest. Two people were arrested and three others were injured – including a riot police officer – during the clashes, according to the French Interior Ministry. ADVERTISEMENT Protestors face riot police officers as they march during the international day against racism and fascism, in Paris, Saturday, March 22, 2025 Thibault Camus/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved. Participants protested against the plight of the Palestinian people, holding placards accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of complicity in what they labelled as an unfolding genocide. Similar protests also took place in the cities of Lyon and Toulouse. The day was established by the United Nations to commemorate the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa in 1960 after police forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators opposing apartheid-era laws, killing close 69 people. Since then, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has served as a global call to fight against discriminatory and divisive politics and promote equality. Events and demonstrations are held in major capitals across the world annually to raise awareness and advocate for change. ADVERTISEMENT
