A/HRC/23/19 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Hilaire Sobers; the Executive Director of the secretariat of the Independent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Rizwan Saeed Sheikh; the Director of the European Network against Racism (ENAR) (Ireland), Catherine Lynch; Professor at the University of Geneva and member of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, Laurence Boisson de Chazournes; and Obert Mutumba, National Programme Officer for Social and Human Sciences, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). A joint presentation was also made under the topic by the African Union and European Union on the joint workshop organized in Geneva on 5 June 2012 within the framework of the Africa-European Union strategic partnership on human rights and democracy. B. Opening of the session 7. On 8 October 2012, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights opened the session. C. Election of the Chairperson-Rapporteur 8. The Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the United Nations in Geneva, Mohamed Siad Douale, was re-elected Chairperson-Rapporteur by acclamation. D. Statements 9. The European Union congratulated Mr. Douale on his re-election as ChairpersonRapporteur and expressed its determination to make a genuine and positive difference to those suffering from all forms of discrimination on the ground. The African Union expressed its support for the re-election of the Chairperson, and congratulated the High Commissioner and the secretariat for their work, expressing the hope that the two new topics could lead to significant progress in the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 10. The delegate of Pakistan, speaking on behalf of OIC, expressed the Organization’s commitment to cooperate and participate in order to make useful and productive discussions. 11. The representative of Egypt congratulated the Chairperson on his re-election, and highlighted the importance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference. He expressed grave concern about contemporary forms of racism and discrimination in various parts of the world, including discrimination based on religion or belief. 12. The representative of South Africa expressed appreciation for the work of the Chairperson and the High Commissioner, and voiced his country’s hope for the forthcoming proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent by the General Assembly. 13. The representative of Algeria expressed support for the re-election of the Chairperson, and remarked that, 10 years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, its implementation was still slow. 14. The representative of Italy highlighted the importance of the word “consensual”, and underlined the increasing importance of the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group, especially at a time of economic recession, massive movement of migrants and refugees, 4