Toronto: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson K Rehman Khan today (Sep 7, 2004) said the Government and people of India have consistently supported the oppressed people of the world in their fight for political and Human Rights.

Addressing the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Toronto on "an integrated strategy to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance," he said, "the untold sufferings caused by apartheid and genocide need to be condemned and their recurrence should be prevented.

"Besides these acts, xenophobia, particularly against migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, constitutes one of the main sources of contemporary racism and Human Rights violations against members of such groups occur widely in the context of discriminatory and racist practices."

He said the quintessence of Indian society is the intermingling of races and historically India has been a home to people of diverse origins.

"Distinctions of race or national or ethnic origin have ceased to exist in India. In fact, India is often described as a melting pot of races. It is also significant to note that race as a ground for discrimination has never been invoked before the courts of law in India so far," Khan said.

He said India was a mosaic of different groups who seek identification in terms of language and regional characteristics rather than race, colour or ethnic origin.

"India is committed to supporting the principle of equality of States and individuals, including racial equality, and will continue to work for this objective at the appropriate international fora," Khan said.