A/HRC/10/31
page 17
collaboration with the Department of Public Information, has launched a dedicated Durban
Review Conference website to highlight the objectives of the Review Conference and to keep all
stakeholders of the Durban process updated. In a similar vain, OHCHR is producing regular
Durban Review Conference updates containing an overview of progress in the preparations for
the Conference. An E-bulletin with information of specific interest to civil society is also being
produced regularly. Furthermore, in accordance with decision PC.3/103 of the Preparatory
Committee, I am preparing a report for the Review Conference on the activities undertaken and
further steps to be taken by my Office in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action and relevant decisions of the General Assembly and the Council (and
formerly the Commission on Human Rights) adopted as a follow-up to the Durban World
Conference of 2001.
68.
I have highlighted my concerns with regard to the need to ensure broad participation in
the activities related to the Review Conference. With this objective in mind, I have been meeting
with various delegations and regional groups conveying the need to accommodate diversity of
opinion and promoting participation. The Office has also engaged in an inter-agency cooperation
exercise to encourage participation of the United Nations agencies in the Durban Review
Conference preparatory process. On 21 October 2008, the Office held a first meeting with United
Nations agencies and programmes (the United Nations Population Fund, ILO, the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees) in Geneva, at which a framework of cooperation was agreed upon.
Agencies based outside Geneva (the Pan American Health Organization, the United States
Agency for International Development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the
United Nations Development Fund for Women, the Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean and the United Nations Environment Programme), have since been integrated
in the process. The agencies in question agreed to hold regular meetings, share updates on
developments and participate in activities connected to the Review Conference. They expressed
their intention to organize jointly side events before and/or during the Review Conference.
69.
Within the limited resources available, the Office facilitated the participation of
representatives of least developed countries, treaty bodies and special procedures in the regional
preparatory meetings for Africa (in Abuja) and Latin America (in Brasilia). Limited financial
contributions were also provided to representatives of national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations to participate in regional preparatory meetings. Similarly, and with a
view to support the constructive engagement of civil society in the Durban review process, the
Office will provide travel support to some non-governmental organizations, national human
rights institutions and delegates from least developed countries to facilitate their participation in
the Review Conference, in April 2009.
70.
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are global problems
which must be of concern to all. We owe a frank debate and concrete action to the victims of
these scourges. The Durban Review Conference offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm the
principles of non-discrimination and to build on the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action in order to ensure that implementation gaps are closed. It is imperative that all States
participate and contribute to this crucial process in order to consolidate and improve the common
ground on fundamental human rights issues.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents