Group Conference on Eradication of Discrimination Opens in Geneva

Dr. Ralph Bunche, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, told a conference here today to consider methods to eradicate discrimination that “the twin evils of prejudice and discrimination are your targets, One evil begets the other. Where one is found, the other is sure to be.”

Dr. Bunche addressed the opening session of a five-day conference convened by the U.N. Economic and Social Council. Ninety-seven organizations, including Jewish groups, are participating in the deliberations.

“It takes very little conscience, I think, to know that prejudice and discrimination against one’s fellow humans because of race, color, religion or national origin or cultural difference or sex are morally wrong,” he declared. “There can be little doubt of the trend of world opinion on this question. The tide runs with your efforts here.”

He warned that in the struggle against prejudice and discrimination “there is sure to be ignorance and suspicion and vested interests to overcome,” but noted that “possibly the greatest obstacle is complacency.”

Vincent Auriol, former President of France and honorary president of the World Veterans Federation, was elected by acclamation to preside over the conference. In an address to the conference., M. Auriol denounced the “dangers of racial and social prejudice and violation of human rights.” He declared that “security will, in fact, be secured only if liberty, equality and justice are preserved.” He said the conference task was to review all efforts in the field of discrimination and prejudice and “come out in no uncertain manner in the fight for justice and peace inside the United Nations.

“We must coordinate our work across every frontier in every country to defeat prejudice and ensure the triumph of human right,” he proclaimed.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, head of the World Jewish Congress delegation, bluntly told the conference that “the battle against discrimination cannot be won in the field by generalized propaganda alone or in an appeal only to good sense and goodwill.

“We believe,” he affirmed, “that action to eradicate discrimination can be effective only in the field of law, by legislative measures on international and national planes. To argue that adoption by law of a new moral norm must await prior acceptance by virtually the whole population of a country means its postponement indefinitely. Nothing educates so much as a law. Its operation will create acceptance.”

Dr. Goldmann proposed an “earnest and solemn appeal to the powers to revise their policies on human rights within the United Nations.” He said the time had come for a new approach to create “legally binding instruments to promote respect for human rights and to secure their observance.”