A/HRC/7/38 page 14 56. The Secretary-General launched the campaign at the OHCHR regional office in Bangkok, where he inaugurated a Human Rights Day exhibition. An official event was held in Geneva, which coincided with the first day of the resumed sixth session of the Human Rights Council. The Secretary-General, via video message, myself, representatives of Member States, special procedures, treaty bodies, national human rights institutions and civil society all spoke on the launch and the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Celebrations were also held on 10 December across the world to mark Human Rights Day and launch the year-long campaign. Many partners, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, are planning commemorative activities throughout the anniversary year until December 2008. VI. DURBAN REVIEW PROCESS 57. On 8 September 2001, Member States adopted by consensus the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. As underlined by victims of racism, including persons of African descent, indigenous peoples, migrants and minorities, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is an historic document because it represents a comprehensive and action-orientated framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 58. It is recognized that no country is free from racism and that victims should benefit from effective remedies and redress through concrete legislative, administrative, preventive and judicial measures. My Office, through the Anti-Discrimination Unit, is already providing assistance to Member States and to groups of victims along those lines. 59. My Office has also strongly supported the mechanisms put in place to follow up the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Race, religion and ethnicity are important root causes of ongoing violent conflicts in different parts of the world. In recent months, several countries have been confronted with situations of extreme violence, some linked to the question of participation in democratic structures and multiculturalism, owing to the non-acceptance of the principle of equality and non-discrimination in the enjoyment of all human rights. 60. Last year, the General Assembly adopted resolution 61/149 for the convening of a review conference to look at the progress of implementation of the commitments made in Durban. The responsibility of organizing this conference was given to the Human Rights Council. The Assembly resolution was followed by resolution 3/2 of the Council, which set up a preparatory committee to prepare the issues for discussion at the main review conference. 61. The first organizational session of the Preparatory Committee was held in August. It adopted by consensus 15 decisions on a variety of issues, including the objectives of the Durban Review Conference. That meeting was preceded by 19 meetings of the Bureau, all fully serviced by the Anti-Discrimination Unit. 62. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a far-reaching document addressing a wide range of relevant issues. Given that the potential of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action has not yet been fully explored, the Durban Review Conference in 2009 is an opportunity for the international community to take stock of what has been done and to review the obstacles that have impeded significant progress in the eradication of racism, racial