Descent is one aspect often forgotten in the analysis of racism and discrimination in spite of the fact that it has been, historically, combined with practically almost all other forms of discrimination mentioned in the Convention. The complexity of racism and racial discrimination affects concrete victims, often in a multiple and aggravated manner. This also enables us to focus on the racist treatment of indigenous peoples, migrant communities, and Sinti and Roma people. Their treatment has historical roots but patterns of discrimination and marginalization are exacerbated by the process of globalization. It may lead to further exploitation of land and other resources of indigenous peoples, and to widening of gaps between the rich and the poor and marginalized.
Globalization also tends to aggravate structural violence.
Globalization of organized crime syndicates has resulted in increased trafficking in persons and concomittant violence against vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Overall, the nexus between globalization and racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, should be examined in its multiple dimensions and effects on racially disadvantaged groups. Discrimination based on descent does not figure on the regular human rights agenda and tends to be excluded from the discussion on racism and racial discrimination. Thus descent-based abuses which can be found in many countries in Asia, such as in India against Dalits and in Japan against Burakumin, have largely evaded the attention of the international community. To redress this lack of attention, the Conference should explicitly address discrimination based on descent.