The following is a translation of statement by the Foreign Ministry of Uruguay:
Uruguay participated actively at the Durban Review Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination Xenophobia and various forms of Intolerance held last week in Geneva, Switzerland.
Despite divergent points of view of the delegations, the Conference achieved by consensus a Declaration which comprises the [...]
News Reports
Statement by the Foreign Ministry of Uruguay
Friday, May 1st, 2009Official Outcome Document
Saturday, April 25th, 2009At a press conference at the close of the Durban Review Congerence it was announced that the outcome document from the Durban Review Conference (which can be seen in the Durban Review Conference resources section) is now open for consultation until the 8th of May. States can specify corrections and reservations, they can for example [...]
Click here for full article and commentsNGO Participation Summary
Saturday, April 25th, 2009In the final stages of the United Nations Durban Review Conference non-government orgnizations (NGOs) were given the opportnity to be heard. The following are some points raised by some of the NGOs given time to speak:
The Equal Rights Trust referred to the Declaration on Equality which they have been sponsoring and talked about the importance [...]
Iran Demands Respect As NGOs Berate U.N. Racism Conference
Friday, April 24th, 2009CNS News reports that the delegation from Iran “repeatedly tried to silence speakers from non-governmental organizations as they accused the gathering of providing a platform for anti-semitism and failing to take countries to task for racism and discrimination.” The Iranian delegation also attacked the UN Secretary General who critisised the Iranian President after his address [...]
Click here for full article and commentsNews roundup: Day three and four
Friday, April 24th, 2009Day three of the conference revealed the next stage of the Iranian plan to abuse the World Conference Against Racism for propaganda. Around 50 Iranians protested outside the Palais Wilson, headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A banner with the slogan “Zionism = Racism” brought back memories of [...]
Click here for full article and commentsChile comments on Holocaust denial and racial discrimination at Geneva Conference
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009In a statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile has “energetically rejected” both Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s statement to the review conference and the general “racial discrimination that is taking place in Geneva at the moment”. They say it is “well known that the Holocaust was a tragedy that cannot be denied nor refused; a reality [...]
Click here for full article and commentsSpeakers under attack at Durban Review Conference
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009Jewish speakers at the Durban Review Conference have been the focus of verbal attacks on Day 2 of the conference.
At an event entitled “Racism- the road to genocide” run by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre a questioner diverted the discussion by making accusations about Israel and the Palestinians.
The session was focused on how genocide develops through stages of racist [...]
UN and Iran add insult to injury
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009Around 50 Iranians are protesting outside Palais Wilson, headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In a clear flashback to Durban 2001 they have deployed a banner with the slogan “Zionism = Racism”. At the same time the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has addressed an international lawyers gathering [...]
Click here for full article and commentsWorld Jewish Congress President criticizes Switzerland
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009In an interview in the Swiss paper Neue Luzerner Zeitung on Wednesday, the president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, has strongly criticizes Switzerland, he says he is getting the impression that Switzerland wants to please Tehran.
Lauder asks, “Why was there no reaction of Switzerland when Ahmadinejad spoke? The Swiss ambassador remained seated while [...]
Bureau flip-flops on NGO participation
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
The Bureau of the Durban Review Conference moments ago reversed its position on civil society involvement. This means there will not be an official representative speaking on behalf of civil society.
The involvement of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) has been a contentious issue after NGOs at the 2001 Durban conference turned the event from an anti-racism gathering into [...]
