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In depth I  Durban Review Conference 2009 Human Rights Watch's Position Paper on the Durban Preparatory Committee Source: Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch urges action on four issues, all of which provide the Review Conference with an opportunity to make a measurable contribution to the fight against racism and related intolerance. There are, of course, a host of other important topics relating to racism that could be the focus of the Review Conference; the topics noted in this paper are not meant to be exhaustive of areas in which the conference might make a helpful contribution. May 2008.[see more]         Correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >> In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 61/149, decided to convene in 2009 a review conference on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. To this end, it requested the Human Rights Council to prepare this event, making use of the three existing and ongoing follow-up mechanisms, to formulate a concrete plan and to provide yearly updates and reports on this issue starting in 2007. The United Nations Human Rights Council is acting as the Preparatory Committee for Conference. The Preparatory Committee announced that the Review Conference on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance will take place in Geneva from 20 to 24 April 2009 and also planned to have three sessions. The first took place in Geneva from 27 to 31 August 2007. During this session, Governments took a number of organizational decisions, including the provisional rules of procedure of the Durban Review Conference, sources of funding for the Conference, accreditation of NGOs, objectives of the Conference, the organization of regional preparatory meetings, and others. The first substantive session of the Preparatory Committee was held from 21 April to 2 May 2008, also in Geneva. During this session the Preparatory Committee reviewed recommendations submitted by different stakeholders as contributions to the outcome of the Review Conference, discuss the organization of the work of the Conference and other matters, including the allocation of funding from the regular budget of the United Nations for the convening of the Conference in 2009. The provisional dates for the second substantive session of the Preparatory Committee are 6 to 17 October 2008. It is expected that the Review Conference will take place in the first half of 2009. Regional meetings in preparation for the Durban Review Conference are scheduled to take place between May and September 2008. Reports from these activities will be submitted to the second substantive session of the Preparatory Committee. What are the objectives of the Review Conference? In August 2007, during its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee for the Conference set forth the objectives of the Durban Review Conference as follows: 1. To review progress and assess implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including assessing contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, through an inclusive, transparent and collaborative process and identify concrete measures and initiatives for combating and eliminating all manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to foster the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; 2. To assess the effectiveness of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms and other relevant United Nations mechanisms dealing with the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to enhance them; 3. To promote the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and proper consideration of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; 4. To identify and share good practices achieved in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Civil society participation Related with the civil society participation, Rochelle Jones from AWID, says that "NGO presence at the Prep Com meetings is encouraged, and there were several NGO meetings organised by CONGO - the Conference of NGOs with consultative status. 29 representatives discussed the engagement of the NGO community with the Review process, some expressing their disappointment at the lack of initiative taken by NGOs to participate. The possibility of an NGO Forum to be held in parallel to the Review Conference was raised at an NGO meeting organised by Interfaith International, with all agreeing that an NGO Forum was necessary. However, there seemed to be a common sentiment amongst representatives that an NGO forum was not wanted by some Governments and organisers of the Review Conference (...) The Review process is complex and substantial, and for a successful outcome of driving Governments' commitment on the issues, it is critical that NGOs mobilise and participate". See full AWID report Versión en español print    send   correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >>  Official information  PrepCom meetings  Declaration and Programme of Action 2001  Contributions submitted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)  Special Rapporteur  Civil society participation  Analysis and reports  Women's discrimination  Migrants   News Up-to-date current affairs information. Tue Jul 29 2008 Durban 2009 debate Fuente: UN Watch Thu May 29 2008 Durban +5: Regional Conference for Latin America and Caribbean Fuente: CONGO Wed May 28 2008 U.N. racism follow-up conference set for April 2009 Fuente: Alternet In-depth reports Detailed reports on key issues Internally Displaced Persons For many, a bureaucratic term used to describe the often desperate situation that affects around 25 million people worldwide. Beijing +10: Conference on Women review This global process was held in 2005 to review the implementation of the Platform for Action signed at the UN 4th World Conference on Women, in Beijing 1995. Convention on rights of migrants One of the most delayed UN instruments is now a reality. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues It promises to give indigenous peoples a unique voice within the UN system. World Conference Against Racism - WCAR 2001 The World Conference Against Racism(WCAR) held in Durban in 2001 and its follow up.      Official information Official website Source: OHCHR Durban Review Conference 2009. Durban +5 - Durban Review Conference 2009 Review of reports, studies and other documentation for the Preparatory Committee and the Durban Review Conference and contributions of Human Rights bodies and mechanisms. April 2008, pdf format. General Assembly, 62nd. session - Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme On November 28, 2007 the Third Committee of the General Assembly adopted a resolution of crucial importance to all those concerned about Durban II. Pdf format, 27 November 2007.    PrepCom meetings Three Preparatory Committee (Prep Com) meetings were planned in the lead-up to the review conference. The first meeting was held in August 2007, where Governments made organizational decisions around the accreditation of NGOs, funding, and the objectives of the Review Conference. The second meeting, which was the first substantive meeting of the Prep Com, adjourned on 2 May, to resume on May 26. On the agenda was a review of reports, contributions and other documentation - of which were to be used to draft the outcome document of the Review Conference. The third Prep Com meeting will be held in October 2008 with official regional meetings in Brazil and Nigeria taking place before then. Official documentation, reports and agenda Source: OHCHR Intersessional open-ended intergovernmental working group to follow up the work of the Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference / 1st From 26-05-2008 to 30-05-2008. Palais des Nations, Conference room XXVI, Geneva. Preparatory Committee - Official web site Source: OHCHR Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference, First substantive session, Geneva from 21 April to 2 May 2008. Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference Source: U.N. Resolution 3/2 reaffirmed that the Durban Review Conference will be undertaken on the basis of and with full respect for the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and that there will be no renegotiation of the existing agreements contained therein. The Council also decided that it will concentrate on their implementation, including further actions, initiatives and practical solutions for combating all the contemporary scourges of racism. June, 2007. Documents from the First Prep Comm Session August 27-31, 2007 Source: Eye on the UN General information, statements and decisions. First substantive session (21 April-2 May 2008) All documentation pertaining to the first substantive session of the Prep Com meeting. 1st session of the Working Group - 26-30 May 2008 The 1st session of the Working group to follow up the work of the PrepCom for the Durban Review Conference takes place in Geneva until 30 May 2008.    Declaration and Programme of Action 2001 The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a substantial document outlining recommendations to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other related forms of intolerance. It is an important framework and guideline and makes reference to a wide range of issues such as: measures of prevention and education at the international and national levels; prosecution; policy research and action plans; and economic and political decision-making. Declaration 2001 Programme of Action 2001    Contributions submitted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) Since the Durban Conference, CERD has adopted several general recommendations and numerous concluding observations and opinions on individual communications which have addressed discrimination affecting the most disadvantaged groups, inter alia, Roma, indigenous peoples, descent-based communities, migrant workers, including undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and insidious and pervasive forms of discrimination such as racial profiling. Review of reports, studies and other documentation The present replies were drafted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (hereafter CERD or “the Committee”) during its seventy-second session held from 18 February to 7 March 2008, following receipt of the questionnaire sent by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Geneva, 21 April - 2 May 2008, pdf format. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) Source: OHCHR The Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties.    Special Rapporteur At its forty-ninth session, the Commission on Human Rights decided, in resolution 1993/20, to appoint, for a three-year period, a special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance, and to request him to report thereon to the Commission on an annual basis, beginning at its fiftieth session Report submitted by Mr. Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur This report by the Special Rapporteur is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council decision 5/1. It examines in greater detail the current worrying trends in racism and xenophobia to which the Special Rapporteur drew attention. It is recommended that the Human Rights Council draw the attention of member States to the seriousness and depth of the resurgence of manifestations of racism and xenophobia, both old and new. The combination of the processes of multiculturalization and globalization means that no society is immune from these phenomena, which today constitute one of the most serious threats to democracy and the coexistence of all societies. A vigorous and consensual response from the international community is therefore urgently needed. 20 February 2008, pdf format. Freedom of religion or belief and contemporary forms of racism The present report is submitted by Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, pursuant to Human Rights Council decision 1/107 entitled “Incitement to racial and religious hatred and the promotion of tolerance”. 2006, pdf. Format. Political platforms which promote or incite racial discrimination Source: U.N. The current resurgence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance represents a major threat not only to the rights of the victims but also to the development of democracy and social cohesion. This threat has attained new and alarming heights in the context of the current global “war on terror”, as a result of intellectual legitimization of racist and xenophobic ideas via public discourse, and the translation into public policies by mainstream political parties of perspectives that were formally promoted by far-right political movements. September 2007.    Civil society participation NGO Orientation Session to the 2nd PrepCom (21 April - 2 May 2008) Source: CONGO CONGO (the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations) Organised an NGO Orientation Session to the Substantive session of the Preparatory Committee of the Durban Review Conference- Special Report - Durban Review PrepCom 1, 2008 Source: ICARE ICARE (Internet Centre Anti Racism Europe) live reports from the UN Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference 2009. Draft agenda and other documents, the objectives of the Review conference and special reports on the August 2007 organizational PrepCom in Geneva. Human Rights Watch's Position Paper on the Durban Preparatory Committee Source: Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch urges governments involved in the Durban review process to press for progress on key issues highlighted at the Durban Conference of 2001 and to address recent or new manifestations of racism and related intolerance. In particular, Human Rights Watch urges action on four issues, all of which provide the Review Conference with an opportunity to make a measurable contribution to the fight against racism and related intolerance. Some of these issues were discussed in 2001, while others reflect new and emerging trends. Where States have not been successful in adequately addressing certain forms of discrimination, the review conference provides a renewed opportunity. April 2008. Civil society groups seek Durban review that rejects hatred Source: HRF In a “Statement of Core Principles for WCAR Follow-Up” delivered to the Preparatory Committee of the Durban Review Conference in Geneva, the 94 signatories—NGOs who advocate on a broad range of human rights issues, including anti-racism, non-discrimination, minority rights, religious freedom, women’s rights and other related issues in approximately 100 Member States--- joined in a pledge ”to reject hatred and incitement in all its forms, including antisemitism, to learn from the shortcomings of the 2001 WCAR, and to work together in a spirit of mutual respect.” April 28, 2008.    Analysis and reports Battle for reparations Source: Workers World Roger Wareham "U.N. World Conference Declarations and Action Programs are decided by consensus, not majority vote. So while the developed world didn’t back down on every issue, the final Declaration Programmw of Action (DDPA) was a compromise document. The crimes against humanity, excepting colonialism, were recognized. The language speaks to reparations without clearly calling it that. And it alludes to the economic base of racism.” February 2008. Assessing states progress towards eliminating racism Source: Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development Roger Wareham The review of the implementation of the DDPA is of significance to ethnic minorities and Indigenous Peoples as this document provides specific measures to combat discrimination, exclusion and intolerance due to race, colour, descent, language, religion, and national or ethnic origin. 21 September 2007. Durban Review Conference: the first substantive Preparatory Committee meeting Source: AWID Rochelle Jones In this Friday File, AWID revisits the World Conference Against Racism and highlights some of the concerns in the lead up to the Review Conference. The Review process is complex and substantial, and for a successful outcome of driving Governments' commitment on the issues, it is critical that NGOs mobilise and participate. May 2008. United Nations Monitor Durban Review Conference updates and additional resources.    Women's discrimination Paragraphs that refer to women on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA)    Migrants The 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was a major breakthrough for international attention to the human rights of migrants and was followed in 2003 by the entry into force of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The years since Durban have seen increasing global migration and continued hostility towards migrants. In addition to assessing progress in the program outlined by the DDPA, the Review Conference should examine the vulnerability of specific groups of migrants. (From Human Rights Watch, see full text) Programme of Action 2001, Paragraphs 24 to 33 Source: ONU These paragraphs request all States to combat manifestations of a generalized rejection of migrants and actively to discourage all racist demonstrations and acts that generate xenophobic behaviour and negative sentiments towards, or rejection of, migrants.

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