Newsletter: issue no. 3
Produced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Durban Review Conference. The Conference aims to develop more effective strategies to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
19 February 2009
Racism against migrants: a key question at the Durban Review Conference
There are an estimated 200 million international migrants in the world today who are frequently treated like second-class citizens; their rights are often denied and they are exposed to xenophobia and racism. The 2001 World Conference Against Racism highlighted the magnitude of the challenges posed by migration and their impact on human rights in general.聽 The Review Conference may help to address this challenge and to change this reality.
OHCHR side events during the Durban Review Conference
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is organizing a series of events to be held during the Durban Review Conference. They will highlight the issues being discussed at the conference itself, such as the rights of indigenous peoples, the link between racism and poverty, and multiple forms of discrimination faced by women who are also victims of racism.
Draft Outcome Document: Informal Negotiations 16 to 19 February
The open-ended working group (ISWG) will meet from 16 to 19 February in order to finalize the first reading of the draft outcome document of the Durban Review Conference. So far, the working group has read around 40 percent of the text.
Navi Pillay to present concrete proposals to strengthen the struggle against racism
The High Commissioner for Human Rights will make public her contribution to the Durban Review Conference on Monday 23 February. Ms Pillay will make concrete proposals to enhance implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
OHCHR supports NGOs in their engagement with the Review Conference
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provides information and other support to non-governmental organisations wishing to take part in the Durban Review process. The 'NGO participation' section of the special Durban Review Conference website and a series of electronic bulletins, also on the website, provide the latest information on the unfolding process and the upcoming Review Conference, as well as guidance on NGO participation and practical information.
To receive more information or to subscribe to the newsletter, send an e-mail to pressdurbanrevconf@ohchr.org
Durban Review Conference press officers: Doune Porter (dporter@ohchr.org, tel. +41.22.928.95.95), Pierre Hazan (phazan@ohchr.org, tel. +41.22.917.92.83)