The Durban Review Conference will be held at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 20 to 24 April 2009. The process of preparatory meetings, also conducted at the United Nations in Geneva, started in November 2008. The first formal meeting was held on 27 November 2008. Other meetings were/will be convened prior to the main conference at the UN in Geneva as follows:

a) 19 to 23 January 2009
First intercessional open-ended intergovernmental working group meeting
b) 10 to 16 April 2009
Next formal session of the intercessional open-ended intergovernmental working group
c) 15 to 17 April 2009
Final session of the Preparatory Committee
d) 20 to 24 April 2009
Durban Review Conference.

For more information on the Durban Review Conference please visit the following webpage: http://www.un.org/durbanreview2009/

Durban Review Conference, registration deadline, 30 March 2009

All participants at the Durban Review Conference, to be held from 20 to 24 April 2009, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, are required to register in advance of the conference. This should be done by sending a letter listing the names of the representatives to the OHCHR Secretariat. The deadline for registration is 30 March 2009.

Member States and other observers should send this information to: ADUSecretariat@ohchr.org or by Fax: + 41 (0)22 928 90 50.

NGOs should send it to: NGODurbanRevConf@ohchr.org or by Fax: + 41 (0)22 928 90 50.

The registration letter for NGOs must comply with the following requirements:

• It should be submitted on the official letterhead of the organization;
• It should clearly state the name and the status of the organization that wishes to attend (e.g.: “Name of NGO, in consultative status with ECOSOC / accredited to take part in the 2001 WCAR / newly accredited by the Preparatory Committee, wishes to send the following members to attend (insert) Preparatory Committee and/or Durban Review Conference];
• The letter should be signed by the President or the Main Representative of the organization;
• The letter should also indicate the full name(s) (first name and family name) of the person(s) who will represent the organization at the Preparatory Committee and/or the Durban Review Conference. Names of persons must appear exactly as they appear in their ID documents. Family name(s) must be capitalized.

Be advised that registration for the third substantive session of the Preparatory Committee (15 – 17 April 2009) automatically implies registration to the Durban Review Conference and vice versa. The information provided is important for the preparation of lists of participants.

For further information, visit the CoNGO website for a copy of the latest “Information note on practical arrangements” for the conference.

Durban Review Process

18 March 2009 release of shorter draft outcome document

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, on 18 March 2009, welcomed the release of a significantly shorter draft outcome document for the Durban Review Conference. Click here to see a copy of this document.

Durban Review Process – OHCHR Guidance for Organizers of Side Events during the Durban Review Conference, 20 – 24 April 2009, Geneva

In order to facilitate broad participation of governments, United Nations entities, inter-governmental organisations, national human rights institutions, civil society and other organisations accredited with the Durban Review Conference, the OHCHR has announced that meeting rooms will be made available for side events during the conference to be held daily from 09:00 hours to 18:00 hours from 20 to 24 April 2009.

Side events should focus on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. They should provide an opportunity to review progress made in the combat against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the actual implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the national, regional and international levels since 2001, as well as the sharing of best practices.

Organizers of side events are invited to submit their request to the Conference Secretariat through the appropriate inscription (registration) form with all the relevant information no later than 14 April 2009. The inscription form for side events can be found on the Durban Review Conference Web Site.

The Conference Secretariat will review all requests for side events to ensure the broadest participation of stakeholders and a diverse range of themes and issues relating to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Should the request be confirmed, the Conference Secretariat shall be in contact with the organizers concerning the next steps to take including possible time slots, rooms and services available.

Source: CONGO

See also: Choike in depth report on the Conference

human rights, Racism