“WJC official: Jews must engage Durban II”
September 13, 2008, Jerusalem Post, Haviv Rettig
Unlike other Jewish NGOs which have chosen to avoid the preparatory meetings for the Durban Review Conference, Peleg Reshef, director of the World Jewish Congress’ World Jewish Diplomatic Corps, believes their participation may have a strong impact.
Referring to last month’s African Preparatory Meeting […]

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“UN to review Israel’s human rights track“

September 8, 2008, The Jerusalem Post, Tovah Lazaroff
On September 8, the United Nations announced that Israel’s human rights record will be evaluated this coming December by Nigeria, South Korea and Azerbaijan, as part of the Universal Periodic Review process. Israel has accepted this decision, in hopes that it will […]

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“EU and UN Rights Chief Must Reject Proposal Against Free Speech, Zionism, at Today’s Durban II Session”
September 5, 2008, UN Watch
A UN session devoted to drafting the agenda and outcome declaration of the Durban Review Conference was held on Friday, September 5 in Geneva. During the meeting, the working group considered the recommendations proposed by the African Regional […]

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On August 24-26, 2008, the African Regional Preparatory Meeting was held in Abuja, Nigeria. Its stated aim was to review the implementation of the final declaration of the 2001 World Conference against Racism. NGOs were offered grants of up to $2000 to attend this conference. The Geneva-based UN Watch was among the NGOs in attendance, […]

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“UN human rights chief tries to sway Israel, U.S. on anti-racism summit”
September 1, 2008, Haaretz, Associated Press
Navi Pillay inaugurated her role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights by attempting to persuade Israel and the United States to reconsider participating in the Durban Review Conference. She asserted: “My instinct would be to get as many […]

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France Reiterates its Commitment to Boycott Durban II if it Fails to Respect its Objectives
August 8, 2008, UN Watch
In response to Roland Blum’s parliamentary question addressed to France’s Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Secretary, Minister Rama Yade writes on August 5, 2008 that “It is only by attending the [Durban Review Conference] and by remaining […]

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“Israel likely to skip U.N. racism conference”
August 6, 2008, The Jerusalem Post and USA Today, Associated Press
According to outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Israel is strongly considering boycotting next April’s Durban Review Conference. Israel will only participate if it promises to address human rights worldwide without singling out Israel, like Durban […]

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Iran Gains Membership to “Group of Friends of the Chair” Responsible for Drafting Durban II Documents
July 31, 2008, Eye on the UN, Anne Bayefsky
Iran has recently joined Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Egypt as a member of the “Group of Friends of the Chair”. Two meetings have already been held in July 2008 and another is […]

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Provisional Agenda of the African Regional Preparatory Meeting Released
July 15, 2008, United Nations Secretary-General
According to this document, the African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Durban Review Conference, to be held in Abuja, Nigeria on August 24-26, 2008, will address the “implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action by all stakeholders at the national, […]

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NGOs invited to participate in the African Regional Preparatory Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, (August 24-26, 2008)
July 15, 2008, The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Letter
In accordance with the United Nations’ General Assembly resolution to review the implementation of the Durban Conference’s final declaration, “The Office of the United Nations High […]

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