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Statement Ms. Najat At-Hajjaji, by CHAIRPERSON PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE

NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA, VICE-CHAIRPERSONOF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE 62ndsession the General of Assembly Third Committee Item 68: Elimination racism racialdiscrimination of and 7 November 2007 New york

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Mr. President, DistinguishedDelegates, ExcellenciesLadies and Gentlemen. I have the honour to presentto you, on behalf of Ambassador Najat Al Hajjaji, Chairpersonof the PreparatoryCommittee for the Durban Review Conference,the report of the first session the Preparatory of Committee.

The 2001 World Conference againstRacismheld in Durban moved forward the global agendafor the advancement the rights of the most vulnerable.The Durban of Conferencefocusedon one of the most perniciousexpressions the non-respect of of human rights that affectsthe lives of billions of people.

At the Durban Conference, peoplefought hard to achievea consensual document. 170 countriesunanimouslyadoptedthe Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action, providing a new framework for combatingracism and intolerancein the post apartheid era. In Durban, we emphasized core human rights valuesand standards, including the principles of equality and non-discrimination. We reaffirmedthat cultural diversity should be valued,enjoyed,accepted and embraced a permanentfeaturethat enriches as societiesaroundthe world. We recognized that no country is free from racism.

It was the first time that the intemational community had openly confronted the wrongs of the past.We recognizedthat colonialismand slaveryled to racism,racial discriminationand relatedintoleranceand thosehistoric victims continueto be victims of its consequences. also recognized We with deepconcernthe increase anti-semitism in and Islamophobi4in variouspartsof the world.

We underlinedthe needfor betterprotectionof the civil and political rights of victims of racism by ending discriminatorypracticesin the administrationofjustice, calling for legal assistance victims, ensuringthe prosecution perpetrators racist for of of

acts,endingracial profiling, providing betterhumanrights educationfor public officials, ensuringthat all personshave effectiveand adequate remedies.

The Conferencealso focusedon economic,social and cultural rights. We recognized importanceof combatingpoverty to empowerthosewho are victims of the racism.We adopteda wide array of concretemeasures the areasof employment, in health,the environment,social services, educationand awareness-raising should that betterthe lives of victims.

In sum, as the High Commissioner Human Rights rightly pointed out, through for the Durban Declarationand Programme Action, we unanimouslychallenged of the historical,socio-economic and political structures that enabledracial discriminationto persist.

Six yearshave passed sincethe Durban Conference and many efforts have been madein the eradicationof the scourgeof racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance.However, despitecontinuingefforts,we continueto observewith concernthat, unfortunately,racism and discriminationcontinueto be a root causeof numeroushuman rights violations.

A review conference will unite the global community in a determinedstruggle againstthis social evil. It will remind Member Statesof their commitmentsin Durban and give new impetusand strengthen commitmentsto implementthe Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action fully. The forthcomingDurban Review Conference 2009 offers in for an opporfunity. all stakeholders reflect on the reasons to why, in spite of all the efforts made.we have not overcomeall the manifestations racism. of

Mr. President,

I would like now to report on the work doneby the first session the Preparatory of Committee for the Durban Review Conference which took place from27 to 3l August in Geneva.

Let me start by thanking the membersof the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee for their hard work in facilitating the adoptionof decisionsby consensus.

After lengthy and constructivedialogue,the Preparatory Committeewas ableto reachconsensus a number of significantissues,namely the objectivesof the Review on Conference,sourcesof funding and preparatoryactivities.Outstanding progress was made and the success the session of enabledus to provide a good road map to achieving our objectivesin the run up to what we are all confidentwill be a successful Durban Review Conference 2009. in

I would like now to mentionjust someof the decisionsadopted.Please note that this is only meant to be a summaryof the key points: . Decision 2 setsout the criteria and practicesfor participationof and consultation with observers, including non-governmental organizations, the sessions the at of Preparatory Committee; o Decision 3 providesthat the Durban Review Conference shall take place during the first half of 2009. Decision 6 providesthat the venueof the Conference shall be decidedat alater date.I shouldalso like to note that pursuantto decisions6 and 7, the Preparatory Committeedecidedthat the venueof its sessions shall be Genevaand that the datesof its forthcoming sessions shall be April to May, and October2008,respectively; . Decision 5 by which the Preparatory Commiuee decidedto requestthe Secretary-General designate High Commissioner Human Rights as to the for Secretary-General the Durban Review Conference. I am convincedthat this of appointmentis an assetfor the success the Durban Review Conference; of o Decisions6 and 7 by which the Preparatory Committeedecidedthat the venueof

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its sessions shall be Genevaand that the datesof its forthcomingsessions shall be April to May, and October2008, respectively. The venueof the Durban Review Conference shall be decidedat a later date. to Decision 8 recommends the Human Rights Council that it adopta decision inviting the PreparatoryCommittee to submit its reports to the General Assembly. I should like to note that the Council, at the first part of its sixth to session, adopteddecision 61105 that effect. I would also like to note Council resolution6123,which requests Chairperson the Preparatory the of Committeeto presenther report to the GeneralAssemblyat its sixty-second session covering Committeeand progress made in preparation for the activities of the Preparatory the 2009 Durban Review Conference; Decision 9 by which we adoptedprovisionalrules of procedurefor the Durban Review Conference; wherebythe Preparatory Decision 10 on reports,studiesand other documentation to Committeerequested relevantparticipants assistit by undertakingreview all as and submittingrecommendations contributionsto the outcomeof the Review by that a questionnaire prepared the Office of be Conference and also requested for the High Commissioner Human Rights,underthe supervisionof the bureau. immediatelyfollowing the first session; to be sentto all stakeholders meetingsand activitiesat the international, DecisionI I relatedto preparatory regional and national levels for which reportsof such activitiesshouldbe Committee; submittedto the Preparatory Committeedecidedto requestthe United Decision 12by which the Preparatory resources the preparations for to Nations Secretary-General provide the necessary and to considerproviding, as appropriate, the for the Durban Review Conference for necessary financial and technicalassistance the conveningofregional practices. preparatory The Preparatory meetingsaccordingto established to the Committeealso requested High Commissioner revitalizethe voluntary fund for the Durban Review Conference; After Decision 13 relatesto the objectivesof the Durban Review Conference. Committeewas agreedon the following the much deliberation, Preparatory

objectives: 1. To review progressand assess implementationof the Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action by all stakeholders the national,regional and at internationallevels,including assessing contemporary manifestations of racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance, through an inclusive,transparent and collaborativeprocessand identify concrete measures and initiatives for combatingand eliminating all manifestations of racism,racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerancein orderto fosterthe implementationof the Durban Declarationand Programmeof Action; 2. To assess effectiveness the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms the of and other relevantUnited Nations mechanisms dealingwith the issueof racism, racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerancein order to enhance them; 3. To promotethe universalratification and implementationof the Intemational Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminationand proper consideration the recommendations the Committeeon the of of Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and 4. To identify and sharegood practicesachievedin the fight againstracism, racial discrimination,xenophobiaand relatedintolerance.

I also would like to refer you to decision 15 concerningthe organizationof work for the substantive sessions the Preparatory of Committeeand the formulation of a process. concreteplan for the preparatory

Distinguished Delegates,

The work aheadof us is enonnous,but I am encouraged seethe efforts to displayedby the Preparatory Committeein ensuringthe achievement the goalsof the of first session. will count on the participationof eachand every one of you to make the I

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preparatory processof the Durban Review Conferencea success. We have a long way aheadof us and at times we will be facedwith difficult and contentiousissues.At thesemoments,let us be inspiredand motivatedby the ultimate goal of our work, which is the improvementof the situationof peoplethat have in historically been amongthe most disempowered societyso that the principles of equality and non-discriminationcan becomea reality.

Thank you.