Nelson Mandela: ‘Synonymous with the fight for justice and equality’
New York, US (PANA) - Celebrating what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 102nd birthday on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief hailed the man who led the struggle that ended the racist apartheid system in his native South Africa as exemplifying “courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice and equality”.
Affectionately known as Madiba, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, told the General Assembly meeting celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day – officially commemorated on Sunday – that he “embodied the highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family”.
Hate speech and the denial of facts are becoming “mainstream in liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes alike”, Ms. Mohammed said, “blurring the truth, questioning science and undermining democratic institutions”.
She pointed to an alarming trend that “people with little or no knowledge of historical facts are infected by the virus of disinformation and distortion and embracing violent ideologies”.
And COVID-19 has intensified this, rolling back years of progress in the global fight against poverty and injustice, leaving the marginalised and disenfranchised suffering the most, and often being blamed for problems they did not cause, she said.
People of African descent, Indigenous, ethnic or religious minorities - and those who have fled their homes as refugees - bear the brunt of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, according to the UN official.
“These are the ills that Nelson Mandela stood up against to create his lasting legacy,” she said.
In September 2018, the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at UN Headquarters gathered government and civil society representatives who committed to redoubling efforts for a prosperous, inclusive and fair world and declared 2019 to 2028 the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace.
“It is our individual responsibility to follow Madiba’s example of humility, forgiveness and compassion, while advocating for democracy and peace throughout the world,” said the deputy UN chief.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the vital importance of human solidarity and unity, values championed and exemplified by Madiba in his lifelong fight for justice.”
And with a role for everyone, she urged the gathering to be inspired by Madiba’s message that “each of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, harmony with nature and dignity for all”.
The Deputy Secretary-General shared that ever since her youth, when she was trying to find her path, Mr. Mandela had been a personal inspiration.
“As we reflect on Madiba’s life and work, let us each stand up and be counted. Let us borrow a leaf from his stubborn optimism in the human endeavour,” she concluded. “Let us all honour his call to action and be energized by his legacy”.
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, said that in life and legacy, Nelson Mandela advocated for “the inherent dignity and equality of people”; both within and between nations, regardless of race, nationality, or belief – universal values, set out in the UN Charter and human rights treaties.
As the Assembly is tasked with upholding and protecting these values, he said it is only right to “convene here today, to celebrate, promote these ideals, and to honour Nelson Mandela”.
Mr. Bozkir said the Mandela name was “synonymous with the fight for justice and equality”, which must be remembered when considering the plight of 82.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, women and girls subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, and the intolerance and racial discrimination that threaten to erode the progress he fought so hard to advance.
“As an international community, we must take collective action. For we will not achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda whilst racism and discrimination persist,” said the Assembly President.
-0- PANA MA/VAO 21July2021