International: Outcome document of the Durban Review Conference
Source:
UN Delegates to the Durban Review Conference in Geneva adopted a final Outcome Document on 21 April. After a less than perfect process, characterised by polarisation and withdrawals, the Outcome Document was adopted without any changes or amendments.
It contains provisions reaffirming the importance of freedom of expression and access to information in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It also omits the controversial concept of “defamation of religion” and focuses instead on protecting the rights of individual believers, rather than belief systems.
Excerpt:
1. Reaffirms the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), as it was adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001;
2. Reaffirms the commitment to prevent, combat and eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that was a basis for convening the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001;
3. Takes note of the efforts undertaken at all levels and welcomes the progress achieved since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to implement its provisions;
4. Expresses concern that challenges and obstacles identified in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remain to be addressed and overcome in order to effectively prevent, combat and eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and that there are still many areas where achievements have not been gained or further improvements have to be attained;
5. Emphasizes the need to address with greater resolve and political will all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in all spheres of life and in all parts of the world, including all those under foreign occupation;
6. Reaffirms that all peoples and individuals constitute one human family, rich in diversity, and that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights; and strongly rejects any doctrine of racial superiority along with theories which attempt to determine the existence of so-called distinct human races;
7. Reiterates that cultural diversity is a cherished asset for the advancement and welfare of humanity at large and should be valued, enjoyed, genuinely accepted and embraced as a permanent feature which enriches our societies;
8. Reiterates that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities are closely associated with racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and contribute to the persistence of racist attitudes and practices which in turn generate more poverty;
9. Reaffirms the responsibility of Governments for safeguarding and protecting the rights of individuals within their jurisdiction against crimes perpetrated by racist or xenophobic individuals or groups or agents of the State;
10. Condemns legislation, policies and practices based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance which are incompatible with democracy, transparent and accountable governance;
11. Reaffirms that democracy and transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory governance at the national, regional and international levels, responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people, are essential to effectively prevent, combat and eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
12. Deplores the global rise and number of incidents of racial or religious intolerance and violence, including Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and anti-Arabism manifested in particular by the derogatory stereotyping and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief; and in this regard urges all the UN Member States to implement paragraph 150 of the DDPA;
13. Reaffirms that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law; reaffirms further that all dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination as well as all acts of violence or incitement to such acts shall be declared offence punishable by law, in accordance with the international obligations of States and that these prohibitions are consistent with freedom of opinion and expression;
14. Recognizes that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are still among the root causes of armed conflict and very often one of its consequences and deplores the occurrences of armed conflicts as well as ethnic or religious violence, and notes relevant provisions of the 2005 World Summit outcome, in particular paragraphs 138 and 139;
You can access the full document here: http://www.un.org/durbanreview2009/pdf/Durban_Review_outcome_document_En.pdf
