MODIFIED TEXT FOR DURBAN ANTI-RACISM CONFERENCE WELCOMED BY UN RIGHTS CHIEF

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees today congratulated nations for agreeing on the text of a draft outcome to be adopted at next week's anti-racism gathering in Geneva, stressing that the process under way will help millions of people suffering from intolerance worldwide.

Navi Pillay said that the 16-page document, agreed on by the Preparatory Committee this afternoon, will have an "easy passage" through the Durban Review Conference because it was so "well-deliberated" by States.

"It has not been an easy process, but it is excellent that delegates have agreed on the key issues," she said. "This process is very important for the sake of all the millions of people who suffer from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance every day, of every week, in every part of the world."

The High Commissioner hailed the spirit of consensus that lead to agreement on the document, commending States' commitment to "move forward together to tackle the scourge of racism."

The five-day Review Conference, opening on 20 April, seeks to assess progress and implementation thus far of the landmark Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) agreed on by States eight years ago.

As of this morning, nearly 4,000 people had registered to participate in the gathering, including more than 100 heads of delegation from Member States and over 2,500 representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"The commitments made by governments in 2001 were forceful and ground-breaking, but there is still much to be done in implementing them," Ms. Pillay said. "The aim of next week's conference is to reinvigorate implementation of those wide-ranging commitments so that we can eliminate discriminatory practices and intolerance."

Acknowledging that it is only normal that opinions differ in a diverse world, she voiced hope that by the end of the gathering, which will also be attended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a clear message will be sent out that "we are, indeed, united against racism."
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UN RIGHTS CHIEF ‘ENCOURAGED’ BY POSITIVE REACTION TO NEW ANTI-RACISM TEXT

The top United Nations human rights official today said she is "greatly encouraged" by the positive reactions to the shorter version of the draft outcome document for next month's anti-racism conference, calling for efforts towards reaching a consensus to keep pace.

Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that all of the ambassadors she has met with so far from all regional groups have indicated that they see the revised text as a "very good basis for negotiations," and appealed to them to "maintain the current momentum and spirit of cooperation."

The Durban Review Conference, scheduled for 20-24 April in Geneva, will assess progress in implementing the measures adopted at 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in South Africa eight years ago.

Regarding the text, ambassadors told Ms. Pillay that "any fine-tuning or improvements should minimal" and that the "fundamental balances contained in the current text should not be reopened."

They also told the UN official that "this text meets the basic requirements of all concerned, while still being substantive and adding value to the fight against racism, xenophobia and similar forms of intolerance," she said.

When the shortened, but still substantive, version of the text was released last week following consultation with all regional groups and interested delegations, the High Commissioner voiced hope that it would be a "major turning point" in preparations for the Conference. She has acknowledged that the text has been the target of criticism by those who fear a repetition of the anti-Semitic outbursts witnessed in Durban.
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RACISM DENIES FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO EQUALITY, SAY TOP UN OFFICIALS

RACISM DENIES FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO EQUALITY, SAY TOP UN OFFICIALS
New York, Mar 21 2009 11:00AM

Top United Nations officials have called for strengthening collective efforts to combat racism and work towards the goal of equality among all human beings, as they marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

On 21 March each year, the UN marks the day in 1960 when dozens of peaceful protesters were gunned down by police in the South African township of Sharpeville as they demonstrated against apartheid.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said "the massacre in Sharpeville represents a much wider tragedy: we mark its anniversary to remember also the millions of people around the world who are still, today, victims of racism and racial discrimination.

"Racial discrimination denies its victims the most fundamental of all human rights -- the right to equality," she noted in her message for the Day.

"Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are insidious, corrosive and sometimes explosive forces that devastate the lives of many individuals and, if left to fester, can undermine societies as a whole. They present a threat to security and often feature among the root causes of violent conflict.

"Taken to an extreme, unchecked -- or deliberately fuelled -- racial discrimination and intolerance can lead to ethnic cleansing and genocide," she added.

Ms. Pillay recalled that governments recognized that no country was free of racism and pledged to take concrete steps to eradicate it when they met in Durban, South Africa, for the 2001 World Conference against Racism.

Next month the international community will gather in Geneva to review the progress that has been made in implementing those pledges.

"There has indeed been progress in the intervening years in many areas, but that progress has been partial, and there have been serious setbacks too. The challenge we face is to translate those 2001 promises into action," stated the High Commissioner.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his message marking the Day, noted that in the years since Durban, the world has witnessed a disturbing rise in reports of hatred and bigotry, linked in part to terrorism and increasing migration.

"The Review Conference is a timely opportunity for countries to share experiences, identify best practices and reaffirm their commitment to the battle against racism," he stated. "Racism exists in all countries, and I urge all countries to work together in the struggle against it."

An independent UN human rights expert has also called for full participation in the Durban review process, stressing that the time is "ripe" for a renewed international engagement against racism.

"Day after day we are reminded of the continued relevance of the fight against all forms of racism," said Githu Muigai, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

"Displays of intolerance abound, from small gestures in interpersonal relations to large-scale violence targeting people of different skin colour or ethnicity. In particular in times of a global financial crisis, intolerance tends to become even more pronounced, fostering racial, ethnic and xenophobic tensions."

He added that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remains the most comprehensive framework of international, regional and national actions needed to counter racism. "A successful Review Conference will empower all stakeholders across the world, providing them with yet additional tools to be employed in their daily fight against racism."

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UN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES MEMBER STATES TO OVERCOME DIFFERENCES IN FIGHT AGAINST RACISM

UN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES MEMBER STATES TO OVERCOME DIFFERENCES IN FIGHT AGAINST RACISM
New York, Feb 23 2009 8:00PM

The top United Nations official for human rights today stressed the need for Member States put aside their differences and work together to defeat racism ahead of the so-called Durban Review Conference later this year, which will examine the progress made worldwide since the 2001 global anti-racism summit held in the South African city.

Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights, sent a report to Member States planning the review conference that will be held in April in Geneva to assess and accelerate progress towards the implementation of measures adopted at the landmark 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

She appealed to governments "not to allow any single issue dominate discussions of such vital importance to human dignity to the exclusion and detriment of others."

Some of the language proposed for a draft outcome document that will be used as the basis for negotiations at the conference has been controversial because of its criticism of Israel's policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Israel indicated last November that it does not plan to take part in the April review conference.

"I appeal to all to uphold the consensually agreed objectives of the Durban Review Conference, and to bear in mind their importance to the millions of victims around the world," said Ms. Pillay, adding, "I urge Member States to transcend their differences and to join efforts to confront racism and xenophobia."

The High Commissioner also proposed holding a series of workshops to help governments find common ground on the issue of defamation of religions.

Several Islamic nations have suggested revising language in the document to limit wording that they describe as offensive to religion, but some Western states have expressed difficulty in accepting the changes because of the potential negative impact on freedom of expression.

"I believe that from a human rights perspective and in light of the Durban Review Conference, it should be addressed as an issue of incitement to religious hatred within the existing framework of international human rights law," said Ms. Pillay.
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