Durban Review Summary: May 27, 2008
Durban Review Summary
May 27, 2008
Yesterday it was decided that the Durban Review Conference will be held in Geneva from April 20-24, 2009. According to individuals present at the meetings, the logo for the conference will be the old WCAR 2001 logo with the words “Durban Review Conference 2009.” The slogan is “United Against Racism: dignity and justice for all.”
Review Conference on racism, discrimination and intolerance to be held in Geneva in April 2009
May 26, UN Press Release
The UN issued a press release identifying Geneva as the location for the DRC. The only other location identified for the regional meetings was Brasilia, which will host the Latin American meeting from 17-19 June.
Geneva to host follow-up to Durban conference in 2009
May 27, Jerusalem Post (Associated Press)
Diplomats at yesterday’s preparatory committee meetings selected Geneva as the location for the Durban Review Conference, which will be held from April 20-25.
A JTA article includes virtually identical information.
UN switches to Geneva for racism talks
May 27, Washington Times, Betsy Pisik
The Washington Times article includes some reactions to the decision over Geneva as a location, some of whom are pessimistic over this decision as it decreases the likelihood that the EU will boycott. The article also maintains that France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU starting next week, will host the required preparatory meetings for the conference.
Tad Stanke, an official at Human Rights First, called the change in venue, “a positive development to avoid a repeat of 2001, given that the U.N. venue provides an infrastructure and rules to keep the discussions on a more narrow path.”
Others disagree, maintaining that holding a conference on European soil ensures that the EU will fully participate and fund the conference, and makes a boycott far less likely. In a press release issued by Eye in the UN, Anne Bayefsky says that, “holding the meeting at a UN venue on European soil will essentially guarantee funding from the UN regular budget for the conference, and that the European Union will fully participate and not follow boycott plans of Canada, the United States and Israel.” According to Eye on the UN, the European Union had been insisting on a shorter session in New York, but the African Group refused to agree on the New York venue and wanted a 5-day conference. Bayefsky also noted that the DRC would be held over Holocaust Remembrance Day.
European Network Against Racism Statement on DRC
May 21, ENAR
ENAR, a network of over 600 anti-racism NGOs in the EU, issued a statement on the DRC. ENAR said it “pledges full support and commitment to the entire Durban process, including its preparatory stages.” It also said that it is open to “the greatest level of NGO participation possible.” In this regard, it likely that ENAR does not understand the implications of wide-scale NGO participation and the implications this carries.
