Questions and Answers
What is the conference
The Durban Review Conference is a UN conference and part of the World Conference Against Racism series. It is specifically designed to review the implementation of the declaration agreed at the Durban conference in 2001.
Why is it sometimes referred to as Durban II
The conference is also known as Durban II, a name that raises the concern that the racism seen at the 2001 conference both with NGOs and in with governments, might be repeated.
Where will the conference take place?
The conference will take place at the United Nations Office in Geneva (Switzerland). This is second largest UN premises and following the problems at Durban in 2001, it was agreed the Review Conference had to take place in a United Nations location where security and proper procedures could be ensured.
When is the conference?
The conference itself will take place April 20-24, 2009. By the time conference starts, the final declaration should (theoretically) have been largely agreed. This declaration is drafted through prior meetings including "PrepComs" or Preparatory Committee meetings and "Intersessionals" or "Intersessional open-ended intergovernmental working group" (basically a way of meeting with out officially holding another PrepCom). The overall process started in August 2007, though many contentious issues have been repeatedly deferred.
Who will take part?
This is a UN conference and member nations of the UN will be invited to attend. Some have already stated they see serious problems with the conference and process of drafting the final declaration and a result will stay away. This follows a walk out by the United States and Israel from the government forum of the 2001 conference following overt racism and discrimination at the UN's anti-racism conference.
To read more about move by some countries to stay away from the Durban Review Conference.
Will NGO's take part?
NGOs who participated in 2001 (including those behind some of the racism seen at the conference) have been automatically accredited for this conference. In addition all ECOSOC registered NGOs may attend as well as any NGOs who have specifically applied through an application process run by the Preparatory Committee. This process has itself raised concern as some NGOs have been excluded while others with questionable motive which may include causing a repeat of the Durban 2001 debacle have been approved.
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)
