NGO Forum at the Durban Review Conference
From NGO Monitor, reproduced with permission.
For an overview of the first Durban conference and the NGO Forum, see:
- Watching the Watchers: The Politics and Credibility of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Arab-Israeli Conflict 2nd revised edition, NGO Monitor, 2008.
- Tom Lantos, “The Durban Debacle: An Insider´s View of the World Racism Conference at Durban,” The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, vol. 26.1, Winter/Spring 2002
On April 20-24, 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations will host the “Durban Review Conference,” – a follow-up to the 2001 UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR). As mandated by the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UNHRC) is responsible for organizing and convening the event “towards the effective and comprehensive implementation” of the conclusions and recommendations of WCAR, and to continue the “global drive for the total elimination of racism.”
The first Durban conference became an instrument for racism itself, particularly directed against Israel. This agenda was driven by Iran and a number of Arab states, and primarily by the participants in the antisemitic NGO (non-governmental organization) Forum. The final declaration of the NGO Forum – which labeled Israeli counter-terrorism measures as “war crimes,” revived the “Zionism is racism” slogan, and introduced the “Durban Strategy” of isolating Israel internationally, following the model of the campaign against apartheid in South Africa.
This Durban strategy, led by NGOs, is behind the BDS (boycotts, divestment and sanctions) efforts, which are justified using the rhetoric of human rights, to demonize and delegitimize Israel.
A campaign for an NGO Forum at the Durban Review Conference has been launched at the UN, including a 30-NGO meeting organized by Interfaith International and the NGO Committee Against Racism on April 28, 2008. Representatives from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also attended. During the October PrepCom, a number of NGO delegates met separately on three occasions to debate the NGO Forum. On October 16th, "a group of NGOs, misleadingly presenting itself as the NGO Committee on Racism" (a subcommittee of CONGO - the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN), held a session, chaired by Charles Graves of Interfaith International -- an NGO active in the first Durban conference and identified with comments justifying suicide bombings in the context of the "occupation." Claiming that the UN would provide them with facilities, some of the NGOs appointed regional coordinating committees to advance the prospects of an NGO Forum.
In May 2008, these NGOs published a letter to the Preparatory Committee expressing a "strong desire" for another NGO Forum at the Review Conference, and describing the NGO Forum at the Durban 2001 conference as "an important catalyst for many victim groups to come together, network, interact and build support for the work against racism and discrimination."
Funding for an NGO Forum could come from “substantial funds” leftover from the 2001 NGO Forum. Already, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has offered travel support to NGO representatives to attend the April Review Conference.
During the January Intersessional (January 19-23 2009), the head of the Human Rights Treaties branch of the OHCHR, Ibrahim Salama, discussed the financial difficulties facing the conference and the need for additional funds. He explained that the budget will cover basic costs, but more funding is needed for, among other things, "empowerment and participation of NGOs." Despite the concern for sufficient funding, UN Watch reported that an NGO Forum is still a possibility - NGO funding guidelines have already been drafted, and a committee has been formed to evaluate NGO applications. The OHCHR is also continuing to "encourag[e] NGOs to participate actively in the Review Conference and its preparatory process."
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)
