text: Affairs. The meeting rose at 6.05 p.m. 42 Economic and Social Council-First Regular Session, 1986 9th meeting Friday, 2 May 1986, at 3.15 p.m. President: Mr. Manuel DOS SANTOS (Mozambique) AGENDA ITEM 2 Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (continued) (E/1986/14 and Add.1, E/1986/15, E/1986/53) 1. Mrs. REBONG (Philippines) said that whatever success the United Nations could achieve in the economic, social or political fields would be mean­ ingless if there were people in the world whose basic right to be treated as human beings was denied. Her country had always warmly supported activities and legal instruments designed to eliminate racism and racial discrimination, such as the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.2 Nevertheless, despite those and many other serious efforts in practically all areas of activity, racism and racial discrimination persisted. Her delegation was particularly concerned over the situation prevailing in South Africa, where the evil system of apartheid, with all its attendant atrocities, was the institutionalized policy of the State, which was reflected in acts of repression, brutality, torture and killing and extended beyond the frontiers with acts of aggression and terrorism against neighbouring States. 2. The fact that that despicable regime continued to exist despite the measures adopted in certain sectors of the international community highlighted the need for a collective effort to eliminate it. The Govern­ ment of South Africa, which had the support of some United Nations Member States, continued to prom­ ise reforms which in fact were no more than cosmetic changes. A system as evil as apartheid was incapable of reform. It had to be completely abolished. 3. Her country had repeatedly expressed its con­ demnation of all discrimination, particularly apart­
analysis: The text appears to be a report from a meeting of the Economic and Social Council, discussing the implementation of a program to combat racism and racial discrimination. The main concerns are about the situation in South Africa and the need for a collective effort to eliminate the evil system of apartheid. The text does not mention specific economic or environmental issues, but rather focuses on human rights and social justice.