NGO Participation at the Durban Review Conference
From NGO Monitor, reproduced with permission.
NGOs with UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC) consultative status, and those that acquire specific accreditation for the Durban Review Conference, are invited to attend preparatory meetings and the Geneva conference. Additionally, as the conference in April 2009 is a follow-up to Durban, all NGOs previously accredited for the original conference, including those that organized and participated in the vehemently antisemitic rhetoric and events, are automatically permitted to attend the Review. The deadline for specific accreditation for the Durban Review Conference was extended to February 10, 2009.
The accreditation process can be highly political, anti-Israel, and questionable on human rights – Libya chairs the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom), and Iran, Cuba, and Pakistan are also on the committee. For instance, in the May 2008 PrepCom meeting, a radical NGO known as the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-apartheid Wall Campaign (PGAAWC) was given immediate accreditation, while Iran blocked the participation of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CCIJA).
Other articles on the Durban Review Conference: 2009
For related articles about the 2009 conference, visit the Durban Review Conference 2009 section of Durban Review or select from the articles below. Articles on anti-racism themes, the 2001 conference and NGO Forum, and news articles are available from the Durban Review home page.
- Questions and Answers
A series of questions and answers about the 2009 Durban Review Conference. - Walkout at UN Conference in response to Ahmadinejad's speech
From our news section where the breaking news is being reported. - Ahmadinejad's racist speech
An English translation of the Iranian President's address to the Durban Review Conference, as well as comments in response from various officials. - Official Outcome Document
This is the official outcome document from the Duban Review Conference. - Official Draft Outcome Document
This document was agreed to be the official draft at the end of the final meeting before the conference began. It was then aproved (without ammendment) as the final declaration on the second day of the conference (see copy above). - Aproval of NGOs for participation at the Durban Review Conference
Explains the process and issues with aproval of NGOs for participation. - Criteria for participation
A break down of key concerns and how they stacked up as at March 24th 2009 - Will there be an NGO Forum?
An NGO forum is a point of contention as the 2001 NGO Forum saw some of the worst racism at the Durban conference, so soem wish to avoid any chance of a repetition, yet some want a new forum at the Durban Review Conference. - Despite U.S. engagement, U.N.'s Durban II racism conference says no way to gay rights, UN Watch, February 18, 2009
- Shattering the red lines: The Durban II Draft Declaration, UN Watch, October 2008(external link)
This document contains selected provisions of the United Nations draft published at the Second Preparatory Session in October 2008. - Alexander Lambsdorff, Don't go there, International Herald Tribune, March 8, 2009 (external link)
