Source:
The Electronic Intifada
The only issue discussed relating to United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism seemed to be Ahmadinejad and the Euro/North American boycotters. It could have been a chance to highlight other key issues like racism against vulnerable groups such as the Roma and the Dalit or the importance of reparations for descendants of the European-Atlantic slave trade. Yet again the racist reality that is life for Palestinians was hidden beneath the political rhetoric. April 28, 2009.
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BACKGROUND
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 follow-up mechanisms.
Scheduled to take place in Geneva from 20-24 April 2009, it was a follow-up to the conference held in Durban in 2001.
The main objectives of the Review Conference were: to review progress and assess implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms; promote the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and identify and share good practices achieved in the fight against racism.
The final resolution of the official Conference was not considered bad in its content, but powerless, due to the decision to make no mention of specific victims and States perpetuators. Let’s hope that in Durban +10 Conference planned for 2011, the true anti-racist States and organizations will be better prepared and braver to promote a world without racism and discriminations, a world based on true equality between all peoples and nations.
The Durban Review Conference, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 20-24 April 2009, will evaluate progress towards the goals set by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001.
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.
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.
From August 31st through September 8, 2001, the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, was held in Durban, South Africa, with the attendance of numerous government representatives and delegates from NGOs and other organizations.
Review of progress and assessment of implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including the assessment of contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. September 2008. Pdf format.
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.
The present report is submitted by Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and Doudou Dične, 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.
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.
The only issue discussed relating to United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism seemed to be Ahmadinejad and the Euro/North American boycotters. It could have been a chance to highlight other key issues like racism against vulnerable groups such as the Roma and the Dalit or the importance of reparations for descendants of the European-Atlantic slave trade. Yet again the racist reality that is life for Palestinians was hidden beneath the political rhetoric.
April 28, 2009.
Hundreds of delegations from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights organisations will converge in Geneva for the Durban Review Conference on Racism. The conference is a follow-up to the 2001 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa, that outlined an international legal and political concept to deal with global issues of race and human rights. But Any discussion on Israel's actions in Palestine will be excluded from the formal framework at the Durban Anti-Racism Review Conference in Geneva Monday. Israel-Palestine has been deliberately eliminated from the official programme, structured by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR). Civil society groups believe that the United States, countries within the European Union and Israel pressured the UN to omit a review of Israel's racial discrimination against Palestinians. April 2009.
The way Barack Obama handled Israel and the Middle Eastern crisis was always going to be a litmus test of his ability to really change mainstream politics in the US. However, recent events indicate his unwillingness - or incapacity - to take on the powers that be in Washington and to forge a new, honest direction in US politics. Notable amongst these events was the US administration's early March decision to boycott the UN's World Conference against Racism billed as the Durban Review Conference. Scheduled to take place in Geneva from 20-24 April 2009, it is a follow-up to the conference held in Durban in 2001. March 2009.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Questionnaire pursuant to decision PC.1/19 of the Preparatory Committee of the Durban Review Conference at its first session. This report includes Key findings and recommendations of the ILO supervisory bodies, The ILO Global reports on discrimination, ILO action to promote implementation: recent examples on Training and capacity building, Practical tools and guidance, Migrant workers, Indigenous peoples, Workers’ and employers’ organizations and Cooperation with other international organizations. and also Suggestions for consideration by the Preparatory Committee and the ratifications of relevant ILO Conventions since 7 September 2001. Pdf format, Geneva, October 2008.
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.
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.
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-
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 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.
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.
