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Durban Review Conference RC/09/3 Rev.1
AFTERNOON 20 April 2009
DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE STARTS HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT AND HEARS STATEMENT BY
PRESIDENT OF IRAN

Also Hears from Dignitaries from Norway, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Botswana,
Brazil, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, OIC and Mexico

The Durban Review Conference started its high-level segment this afternoon, hearing a statement by
the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which provoked loud protests and resulted in some
delegations leaving the room. The Review Conference also heard statements from dignitaries from
Norway, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Botswana, Brazil, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Mozambique,
Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and Mexico.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, said it was regrettable that a number of Western
Governments and the United States had committed themselves to defend the racist perpetrators of
genocide, while the awakened conscience and free-minded people of the world condemned the Zionist
crimes of aggression, carnage and other brutalities of bombardments of civilians in Gaza. So long as
Zionist domination continued, many countries, Governments and nations would never be able to
enjoy freedom, independence and security. World Zionism personified racism that falsely resorted to
religion and abused religious sentiments to hide hatred and ugly faces.

Jonas Gahr Store, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, speaking right after the President of Iran,
said that the outcome document of the Review Conference was against incitement of hatred. Mr.
Store said he had heard incitement of hatred and spreading policies of fear in the statement of
President Ahmadinejad. Norway regretted that some States had decided, some on very short notice,
to boycott the Conference. But non-attendance was not an option. Norway would not surrender this
place at the United Nations to extremism.

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Africa, speaking on behalf of the
African Group, said that Africans had first hand experience of the pernicious and the egregious impact
of slavery, slave trade, colonialism, apartheid and genocide. Significantly, the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action was adopted in a country which for decades struggled against the direct
impacts of discrimination and oppression on the basis of race and colour. The Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action was viewed as an inspiration that would define the twenty-first century as the
century that restored to all their human dignity.
Henri Eyebe Ayissi, Minister for External Relations of Cameroon, said the Conference should serve as
a common platform for all the stakeholders to reiterate their permanent commitment to strengthen
the quest for strategies, ways and means for an efficient fight against these disgusting scourges
called racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Conference should be
the venue for a common positive thought-provoking gathering. Racism was their collective common
concern.

Bernard Kamillius Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania, said
it was timely to convene the Review Conference to review progress and assess the implementation of
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which contained far-reaching measures to combat
the scourge of racism in all its manifestations, through education, fighting poverty, securing
development, and bolstering respect for the rule of law and for human rights. He reiterated the need to acknowledge and extend an explicit apology, reparation and full compensation to all victims of past
injustices.

Dikgakgamatso N. Seretse, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security of Botswana, said that for those
from Southern Africa who witnessed and lived the experience of institutionalised racism and State
sponsored terrorism based on racial discrimination, this Conference was a moment for celebration. It
would not serve any purpose if the Conference were used as a platform for demonising some States
or dividing the world into descendants of the oppressed and the oppressors.

Edson Santos, Chief Minister, Special Secretariat for Policies for the Promotion of Racial Equality of
Brazil, said that the outcome document of the Conference was not a mere translation of national
positions. Rather, it revealed a historical perspective and commitment to the very essence of the
multilateral system. Nothing in the document denied the achievements of 2001; nothing in it
hampered anyone from moving forward.

Fayza Aboulnaga, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, said it was undeniable that racial
and religious discrimination, particularly against Arabs and Muslims, had reached unprecedented
levels in the past few years. It was also undeniable that acts of incitement of religious hatred had
resulted in numerous human rights violations of individuals and communities. Hence, it was
incomprehensible why some would continue to turn a blind eye to this reality and deny their
connection to racism despite the clear relation between the derogatory statements and the violations
of the rights and freedoms of the followers of these religions.

Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare of Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka
contained the greatest cultural diversity as well as biodiversity contained in the smallest space on the
planet. This diversity within a compact space had made for coexistence as well as conflict. The
sources of conflict lay in factors and forces that the 2001 Durban Conference, the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action and today's Review Conference were concerned with: racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. These evils were related, as in so many places, to
imperialism and colonialism.

Maria Benvinda Levi, Minister of Justice of Mozambique, said that in Durban they managed to set up a
global agenda to guide actions and endeavours towards the suppression of any kind of manifestations
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. The global framework,
however, had yet to be fully implemented across the world. Indeed, in one’s daily life events led one
to realize the relevance of the continuation of the fight against racism. The task ahead was
mammoth and this was why the Conference was so important.

Madicke Niang, Minister of State for Justice of Senegal, said that in 2001, countries had accepted to
step up the work in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
and the participants had identified tangible measures geared towards guaranteeing the equality of all,
ensuring the dignities of all and eliminating prejudices and stereotypes. Eight years down the road,
they noted an increase of intolerance throughout the world. Thousands of migrants felt their dignity
compromised on a daily basis.

Bechir Tekari, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Tunisia, said that Tunisia was committed to the
implementation of the decisions taken at the Durban Conference in 2001, and had taken many
initiatives and implemented measures to combat racism and racial discrimination, including
substantive amendments to the educational system and incorporating a culture of respect,
brotherhood and tolerance. In order to prevent the spread of racism, racial discrimination and
xenophobia, a law had been adopted.

Abdelwahed Radi, Minister for Justice of Morocco, said that the World Conference against Racism held
in Durban South Africa in 2001 was where the international community had taken action against the
scourge of racism that had afflicted the world for centuries. The document before members of the
Review Conference made it possible to determine the extent of the challenges facing countries
worldwide and the steps necessary to address those challenges.

Ekmeleddine Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said
defamation of Islam represented one of the most conspicuous demonstrations of contemporary
racism, discrimination and intolerance, and constituted a threat to harmonious and cooperative
relationships between and among nations. The rising trend of Islamophobia had adversely impacted the image, the honour, the identity and the self-esteem of Muslims the world over, eroding their
fundamental human rights.

Perla Bustamante, President of the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination of Mexico,
said Mexico was aware of the enormous human costs produced by discrimination, as it was the first
obstacle for the effective enjoyment of human rights. Mexico was renewing its commitment to the
elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Mexico had
addressed the problem of racial discrimination from a multidimensional perspective, encompassing all
forms of discrimination regardless of its causes, as well as its inter-related nature, in accordance with
the principle of universality of all human rights.

High-Level Segment
MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, President of Iran, said over the last centuries, humanity had gone through
tremendous sufferings and pains. Had lessons been learned from these oppressions, horrors and the
crimes of the two World Wars, there would have been a ray of hope for the future. The victorious
powers called themselves the conquerors of the world, while ignoring or down-treading the rights of
other nations by the imposition of oppressive laws and arrangements. Following World War Two,
many proponents of racism resorted to military aggression to make an entire nation homeless, on the
pretext of Jewish sufferings and the abuse of the question of the holocaust. They sent migrants from
Europe, the United States and other parts of the world in order to establish a totally racist
government in the occupied Palestine. They helped to bring to power the most cruel and repressive
racists in Palestine. It was all the more regrettable that a number of Western Governments and the
United States had committed themselves to defend these racist perpetrators of genocide, while the
awakened conscience and free-minded people of the world condemned the Zionist crimes of
aggression, carnage and other brutalities of bombardments of civilians in Gaza. So long as Zionist
domination continued, many countries, Governments and nations would never be able to enjoy
freedom, independence and security.
What were the root causes of United States attacks against Iraq or the invasion of Afghanistan, Mr.
Ahmadinejad asked. For a long time, inequitable economic regulations had been imposed by political
powers on the international economy, with a financial and a monetary system imposed without proper
international oversight mechanisms. Racism was rooted in lack of knowledge concerning the truth of
human existence as the selected creature of God. Racism was the symbol of ignorance which had
deep roots in history, and was indeed a sign of frustration in developments of human society. It was
therefore crucially important to trace the manifestations of racism in situations or in societies where
ignorance or lack of knowledge prevailed. The international community should initiate collective
moves to raise awareness in the afflicted societies, where ignorance of racism still prevailed, so as to
bring a halt to the spread of these malicious manifestations.
Today the human community was facing a kind of racism which had tarnished the image of humanity.
World Zionism personified racism that falsely resorted to religion and abused religious sentiments to
hide hatred and ugly faces. Boycotting such a session as this was a true indication of supporting the
blatant example of racism. The world was going through fundamental changes. Power relations had
become weak and fragile, and the sound of cracks in the pillars of world oppression could now be
heard. The inequitable and unjust management of the world was now at the end of the road. This
deadlock was inevitable since the logic of this imposed management was oppressive. Western
liberalism, like communism, had reached its end, since it had failed to perceive the truth of the world.
It was absolutely possible to improve the existing situation in the world, but this could be only
achieved through the cooperation of all countries in order to get the best out of the existing capacities
of the world.

JONAS GAHR STORE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, said the President of Iran had just
exercised the right to expression. Today, they met on the basis of a declaration that had been
carefully negotiated. Iran had now steered itself outside the margins of the declaration. The
document was against incitement of hatred. Mr. Store said he had heard incitement of hatred and
spreading policies of fear in the statement of President Ahmadinejad. The declaration was principled
and was not pinpointing certain situations. The aim was to protect people from racism. The statement of Iran’s President’s statement ran counter to the purpose of the Conference. Iran had
become the odd-man-out.
Norway did not want a text that interdicted defamation of religion at the expense of freedom of
expression. It could not accept a text that would infringe on the freedom of expression. Without this
freedom, they could not fight racism. Norway wanted the text to be of universal reach and wanted it
to avoid focusing on one particular conflict. Mr. Store emphasized that the Holocaust had originated
in the minds of men, it was not a natural disaster, it was a man-made disaster. This was now
correctly reflected in the text. He congratulated the delegations that had contributed to the text and
thanked the High Commissioner and Mr. Boychenko on the preparation of the Conference.
Mr. Store said that fighting racism was one of the struggles that mankind was facing today. To
address those struggles, they must come together and seek common ground. Norway called on all
countries to further invest in the multi-lateral path. They owed it to their constituencies to actively
participate in such a process. Norway regretted that some States had decided, some on very short
notice, to boycott the Conference. But non-attendance was not an option. Norway would not
surrender this place at the United Nations to extremism.

NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, speaking on behalf of the
African Group, said that Africans had first hand experience of the pernicious and the egregious impact
of slavery, slave trade, colonialism, apartheid and genocide. Significantly, the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action was adopted in a country which for decades struggled against the direct
impacts of discrimination and oppression on the basis of race and colour. The Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action was viewed as an inspiration that would define the twenty-first century as the
century that restored to all their human dignity. It provided a solid and concrete basis for every
country to develop its own measures to combat all forms of racism, and to strengthen the protection
regime for victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.
Whilst recognizing the progress made since 2001, it was clear that there remained major challenges
facing all in pursuit of the noble ideas that were agreed on in the Durban Declaration and Programme
of Action. Racism continued to rear its ugly head in many parts of the world, and this therefore called
for continued vigilance from all. It was observed that in South Africa, with the recent xenophobic
incidents, that even with the best intentions, racism and related intolerances continued to be a
challenge. What was crucial was the political will and the steps taken to address those challenges.
Many commitments remained unfulfilled. Poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social
exclusion and economic disparities continued to affect millions of people in many parts of the world.
In Africa, people still lacked access to basic services such as water, energy, housing, health care
facilities, sanitation and means of assuring food security. Those challenges, now aggravated by the
current global financial crisis, were real and immediate. The commitments made in Durban, in
particular those that called upon developed States, the United Nations as well as the international
financial institutions, to support amongst others, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
programmes, debt relief and the internationally agreed development goals, should be fulfilled with
greater urgency, stressed Ms. Zuma.

HENRI EYEBE AYISSI, Minister for External Relations of Cameroon, said that the preparation of the
Durban Review Conference was far from being a “long calm river”, as various delegations had noted
during the negotiations that had preceded the Conference in which Cameroon had taken part. The
participation of Cameroon in this Conference proved in this context the importance that Cameroon
attached to the United Nations’ noble fight against racism. This Conference should serve as a
common platform for all the stakeholders, namely the United Nations family, all States and
Governments, as well as the international and regional organizations and civil societies, to embrace
the exceptional opportunity offered by the present rendezvous of giving and taking. This reiterated
their permanent commitment to strengthen the quest for strategies, ways and means for an efficient
fight against these disgusting scourges called racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance.
The Conference should be the venue for a common positive thought-provoking gathering. Racism
was their collective common concern. No country in the world was free of racism. All of them had
“dirty hands” as the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre used to say. Together they were urged to
work in such a way that the very significant slogan “united against racism” was matched with a real
will for collective action. Cameroon called on the Conference’s participants to focus their efforts in order to ensure that the negative perceptions and other similar deflections observed here and there
were prohibited and reprimanded with the same vigor while avoiding of course, the repeat of the
mistakes which undermined the 2001 Durban Conference and the implementation of its conclusions.
It was false and dangerous to enter into the easy trap of considering that “us” should necessarily be
in conflict with “them”. They were quite able to assume their identities; that was to say “what we
were”, without necessarily hating “what the others are” that was to say “what we are not”.

BERNARD KAMILIUS MEMBE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania,
said it was timely to convene the Review Conference to review progress and assess the
implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which contained far-reaching
measures to combat the scourge of racism in all its manifestations, through education, fighting
poverty, securing development, and bolstering respect for the rule of law and for human rights. The
elimination of racism was a gradual process, and it was urgent that the international community
collectively and resolutely found ways to eliminate this scourge through national, regional and
international measures. While acknowledging the usefulness and efficiency of the current follow-up
mechanisms in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, there was a
need to enhance further their effectiveness, with a view to achieving better synergy, coordination,
coherence and complementarity in their work.
Considering the gist of the Outcome Document and the contentious manner surrounding its very
creation, it was clear that its implementation faced immense challenges. Despite the differences
among delegates during the preparatory process, it was desirable and indeed worthy that all nations
and peoples of the world spoke with one voice against all forms of discrimination, including racial
discrimination, xenophobia, religious hatred, political hatred, and the like. Contemporary challenges
such as climate change, the global financial crisis, incurable diseases, poverty, protracted conflicts,
the threat of proliferation and possible deployment of weapons of mass destruction were some
indications that the new world order called for an inclusive and constructive diplomacy. The
international community needed to work together to overcome the challenges confronting mankind
today, needing to live together in peace and harmony, while respecting the other.
The need to acknowledge and extend an explicit apology, reparation and full compensation to all
victims of past injustices was reiterated, if the international community were to truly build a new
future free of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance - shaping a new future
was nearly impossible if old wounds were left unattended. The world would not prosper if some
section of global society continued to embrace racial superiority, gender dominance and xenophobia.
The global society would remain a dream if racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance and the like continued to dominate the way in which humankind looked at each other.
Those of us who had lived to see how much damage such acts could produce on humanity believed it
was time to change for a better world, and to act resolutely.

DIKGAKGAMATSO N. SERETSE, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security of Botswana, said that for
those from Southern Africa who witnessed and lived the experience of institutionalised racism and
State sponsored terrorism based on racial discrimination, this Conference was a moment for
celebration. The Conference also served as a reminder, a painful reminder that silence and lack of
action in the face of injustice could correctly be interpreted as taking a position. One must ask why it
was possible for apartheid to be institutionalized shortly after the defeat of the Nazis and their
genocidal ideology of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It was against
this background that in Botswana a society that abhorred racism in all its forms and manifestations
was established.
The Durban 2001 World Conference Against Racism represented something that was good and
positive about humanity, Mr. Seretse noted. It marked a common desire to remember and learn from
past mistakes. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action aptly embodied this determination.
He urged all to continue to build on this achievement so that the objectives of global humanitarianism
could be reached.
The Review Conference was not about vilifying any nation nor civilisation. It would not serve any
purpose if the Conference were used as a platform for demonising some States or dividing the world
into descendants of the oppressed and the oppressors. The Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action made recommendations and practical measures, comprehensive national action plans, policies
and programmes. The Programme of Action particularly called on States to strengthen national human rights institutions and to undertake preventative and concerted action, especially in the fields
of education and awareness raising.

EDSON SANTOS, Chief Minister, Special Secretariat for Policies for the Promotion of Racial Equality of
Brazil, said that Brazil was present to participate in the Review Conference because it believed in the
commitment to fight racism. Brazil affirmed its commitment to the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action in 2001 and reiterated it in 2006, together with civil society and fellow
Governments in the Regional Conference of the Americas on Progresses and Challenges in the
Programme of Action, and again in 2008, on the occasion of the Regional Conference of Latin America
and the Caribbean. Over the last few months, the Government was intensely involved in the
preparatory process of the Review Conference.
The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action recognized the political and social concept of race
and the inexistence of hierarchy between human beings. Humanity constituted only one race: the
human race. There were no biological differences among people; there was only the political
manipulation of the concept of race as a source of segregation. The text before members of the
Conference brought about a compromise between positions that were feared to be irreconcilable. No
single country was treated under a negative light; no specific regional crisis was the object of a
selective reference, Mr. Santos underscored. In the course of this document, past tragedies were
addressed in a balanced way, and contemporary forms of racism and other forms of discrimination
were condemned. The text also deplored the rise in persecution of practitioners of various religions of
the world.
The document achieved was not a mere translation of national positions. Rather, it revealed a
historical perspective and commitment to the very essence of the multilateral system. Nothing in the
document denied the achievements of 2001; nothing in it hampered anyone from moving forward. To
walk out from the negotiating process was to surrender to the temptation of non-dialogue, stressed
Mr. Santos. The multilateral process could not be held hostage to this kind of attitude. Throughout
the negotiations thus far, Brazil showed its readiness to accept diversity of opinions, tolerate
differences and respect diversity. To abandon Durban was to stray away from the long path built
since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

FAYZA ABOULNAGA, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, said that Egypt welcomed the
steps and measures undertaken by several countries to establish an effective legislative and executive
infrastructure to combat racism, inter alia, through enacting relevant legislation, setting up national
observatories, ending impunity for racist crimes as well as issuing formal apologies for historical
tragedies. Egypt also supported all initiatives for dialogue between civilizations, cultures and religions
to promote tolerance and to confront hatred. Yet despite progress achieved in some areas, there was
still reason for concern over the continuation of racist conduct in various forms, actions and means
and emanating from several sources, as well as the emergence of new forms of discrimination which
existing policies and legislation were in no way designed to address.
It was undeniable that racial and religious discrimination, particularly against Arabs and Muslims, had
reached unprecedented levels in the past few years. It was also undeniable that acts of incitement of
religious hatred had resulted in numerous human rights violations of individuals and communities.
This was compounded by the political exploitations of issues pertaining to migrants, minorities and
refugees to advance interests alien to democracy and to the respect of human rights, particularly the
rights of these groups. Hence, with the evolving documentation of these practices and of their ethnic
and religious motivations, it was incomprehensible why some would continue to turn a blind eye to
this reality and deny their connection to racism despite the clear relation between the derogatory
statements and the violations of the rights and freedoms of the followers of these religions.
The Durban outcome document highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign
occupation and called for the realization of its inalienable right to self-determination. Regretfully, they
were no closer today to putting an end to their suffering or to the realization of this right than they
were the day the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was endorsed. The Separation Wall,
the spread of Israeli settlements, the blockade and the forced displacement of an ethnic or religious
group from occupied territories represented a severe blow to their efforts to put an end to the
suffering of the Palestinian people as a blatant violation of all international laws and conventions.
DOUGLAS DEVANANDA, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare of Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka
contained the greatest cultural diversity as well as biodiversity contained in the smallest space on the planet. This diversity within a compact space had made for coexistence as well as conflict. The
sources of conflict lay in factors and forces that the 2001 Durban Conference, the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action and today's Review Conference were concerned with: racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. These evils were related, as in so many places, to
imperialism and colonialism. A lot remained to be done - including a political process to meet the
aspirations of the ethnic minorities, a reconciliation process to bring the communities divided on
ethnic lines together, and resettlement of those displaced due to decades of war and reconstruction of
the war-torn areas.
Sri Lanka believed that racism, xenophobia and the like forms of intolerance were destructive of
human dignity and consequently eroded all human rights. The Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action reasserted the principles of equality and non-discrimination as core human rights, transforming
victims of discrimination into rights-holders and States into duty bearers. The Programme of Action
spelt out a number of strategies to achieve full and effective equality that included regional and
international cooperation. All United Nations Member States should cooperate with each other in
achieving the objectives of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia
and Related Intolerance and in implementing the Programme of Action. Racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance were the enemies of mankind, and not one another.

MARIA BENVINDA LEVI, Minister of Justice of Mozambique, said that racism and racial discrimination
continued to be a global phenomenon, which denied its victims from the enjoyment of the most
fundamental of all human rights – the right to equality. In Durban they managed to set up a global
agenda to guide actions and endeavours towards the suppression of any kind of manifestations of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. The Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action established an unprecedented and comprehensive global framework, which
compelled States to implement effective actions against discrimination, including the enactment of
anti-discrimination laws and policies.
The global framework, however, had yet to be fully implemented across the world. Indeed, in one’s
daily life events led one to realize the relevance of the continuation of the fight against racism. The
task ahead was mammoth and this was why the Conference was so important. Ms. Levi said that it
was necessary to develop renewed international engagement against racism. The participation of
Mozambique in the Conference reiterated its firm commitment to fight against those evils.
The Government of Mozambique was signatory to several regional and international conventions and
other initiatives, which aimed at promoting the equality of rights and non-discrimination, Ms. Levi
noted. Those initiatives translated into the revision of discriminatory laws; into the periodic reporting
to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and into the elaboration of policies and
programmes and the reinforcement of institutional mechanism against discrimination. The way
forward in the anti-racism agenda depended on the outcome of the Conference. With unity of
purpose all would succeed in their objectives to alleviate the plight of countless victims of racism at
home and abroad.

MADICKE NIANG, Minister of State for Justice of Senegal, congratulated the President of the
Conference on his appointment and pledged the full support of the Senegalese delegation for his
work. In 2001, countries had accepted to step up the work in the fight against racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the participants had identified tangible
measures geared towards guaranteeing the equality of all, ensuring the dignities of all and eliminating
prejudices and stereotypes. Eight years down the road, they noted an increase of intolerance
throughout the world. Thousands of migrants felt their dignity compromised on a daily basis. In
almost all countries, women were suffering from discrimination of all kinds and challenges continued
to face the world in the area of the exercise of certain rights. However, this should not make all
forget the measures that had been implemented by States in order to respect the obligations taken
on in 2001. Senegal had implemented the obligations of the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action.
Mr. Niang reaffirmed strongly the relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action,
whose adoption by consensus confirmed the demand for a world in which civilizations could live
together in harmony. Senegal was committed to do its share to achieve this goal. Senegal paid a
warm tribute to all the men and women who fought racism on a daily basis. Senegal encouraged the
good practices that were firmly rooted in their traditions. Neither exclusion nor abandonment of
these victims would be appropriate in this forum. The dialogue must be open and the document must contain measures that would have true impact on the ground. The Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights had a vital role to play and required the States’ support. Mr. Niang hoped that their
work would produce tangible results and would give new impetus to the fight against racism. Guided
by the importance Senegal attached to the promotion and protection of human rights, Senegal would
not spare any effort in this regard, in order to install peace, dignity and tolerance in this continually
changing world.

BECHIR TEKARI, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Tunisia, said he wished to pay tribute to the
great efforts deployed by all parties participating in the preparation of the Durban Review Conference.
This showed the importance of what was adopted at the Durban Conference of 2001. Tunisia was
committed to the implementation of the decisions taken there, and had taken many initiatives and
implemented measures to combat racism and racial discrimination, including substantive amendments
to the educational system, and incorporating a culture of respect, brotherhood and tolerance. In
order to prevent the spread of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, a law had been adopted.
As a result of Tunisia's keenness to enhance the inter-religious and inter-civilisation dialogue, bridges
of cooperation were being built with persons of different races and religions.
A Tunisian Peace Forum had been founded to take into consideration and monitor efforts made to
enhance the consolidation of peace and the values of peace. 2010 would be the International Year of
Youth, and an international Conference would be held under the auspices of the United Nations,
leading to the adoption of a Charter which would be a solid link between the youth of the world and
solid universal values. As much as globalisation had provided chances to strengthen the world
solidarity and improve the world economy, and in spite of the current weakness felt due to the
economic and financial crisis, at the same time globalisation had caused negative repercussions, in
particular with regards to the growing divide between countries of the North and the South.
An adequate solution should be found to address situations such as exclusion, as this would help to
remedy the problem of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. World solidarity was one of the
solutions that could lead to the building of a better future. Peace and security remained the
aspiration, but they were hostage to many factors, including the survival of pockets of contention.
The objective should always be the removal of injustice and the feelings of injustice amongst people,
and the hope to free peoples who continued to suffer under the yoke of colonisation and injustice.
Tunisia participated in the Conference and was committed to actively participating as it gave great
importance to the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related discrimination, and
aimed to uphold the values of moderation, freedom, equality and justice.

ABDELWAHED RADI, Minister of Justice of Morocco, said that the World Conference against Racism
held in Durban South Africa in 2001 was where the international community had taken action against
the scourge of racism that had afflicted the world for centuries. The international community worked
collectively against racism in all its forms and combated its impact on the full enjoyment of human
rights worldwide. The Durban Conference also mobilized the conscience of the world to take action
and eradicate racism. The document before members of the Review Conference made it possible to
determine the extent of the challenges facing countries worldwide and the steps necessary to address
those challenges. The Review Conference allowed the international community to take stock of the
objectives set in 2001, and to infuse a new energy in the international community’s mobilization
efforts to combat racism and its modern manifestations.
The chances for peace in the Middle East had receded. Mr. Radi said there should be an independent
and viable Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in harmony and peace with all its
neighbours. Mr. Radi urged the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize
regional seminars on racial and religious hatred to provide an opportunity for indirect thought directed
to this question. Moreover, Morocco was prepared to host a seminar on this subject for the African
region. The Review Conference was an important stage to enhance the international human arsenal
in this context.
The Government of Morocco consistently strove to send a message, a message of a conciliatory
Islam, based in moderation of virtues to strengthen gaps between countries through peaceful means
and to ensure stability in the region. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of
intolerance called for a universal worldwide responsible reaction based on solidarity and must live up
to the challenges that existed, Mr. Radi observed. Morocco’s participation in the Review Conference
strongly reaffirmed its willingness to be a partner and its commitment to eliminating racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance around the world.

EKMELEDDINE IHSANOGLU, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said
that the discussion on some key issues during the negotiations of the outcome document was
characterized by divergence of views. It must, however, be emphasized that the Organization of the
Islamic Conference Group never lacked the resolve to engage and work with its partners in good faith
to reach a consensual outcome. In a bid to that, the Organization of the Islamic Conference Group
demonstrated flexibility even in matters of major concern including defamation of religion with the
intent to incitement to hatred and discrimination, as well as ascertaining the linkage of responsibility
to the freedom of expression as stipulated in scores of its covenants, agreements and legal
instruments. The Organization of the Islamic Conference was disappointed to note that some
countries were not present here.
Defamation of Islam represented one of the most conspicuous demonstrations of contemporary
racism, discrimination and intolerance, and constituted a threat to harmonious and cooperative
relationship between and among nations. The rising trend of Islamophobia had adversely impacted
the image, the honour, the identity and the self-esteem of Muslims the world over, eroding their
fundamental human rights. In that respect, the desecration of the tombs of Muslims who had given
their lives in defense of their adopted homeland could be cited as an example. This phenomenon
called for a frank and open discussion to consider the ultimate aim of those who were determined to
pit one culture against another and disseminate discord and conflicts among peoples.
It would be counterproductive to speak of a contradiction between freedom of religion and freedom of
expression. Indeed both were complementary and mutually reinforcing. The Organization of the
Islamic Conference stood for defending, upholding and protecting freedom of expression in
accordance with the international law. The legal limitations on these freedoms were provided for in
international covenants and instruments. Mr. Ihsanoglu was encouraged to note that this aspect had
been reflected in the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference. Equality, nondiscrimination,
freedom of expression and respect to others regardless of their beliefs constituted core
values of Islam.

PERLA BUSTAMANTE, President of the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination of Mexico,
said Mexico had participated in the Durban Conference of 2001 convinced of the importance of
combating in a comprehensive manner all forms of discrimination, with the aim of achieving more
just, democratic and developed societies. Mexico was aware of the enormous human costs produced
by discrimination, as it was the first obstacle for the effective enjoyment of human rights. Mexico was
renewing its commitment to the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance. Mexico had addressed the problem of racial discrimination from a multidimensional
perspective, encompassing all forms of discrimination regardless of its causes, as well as its interrelated
nature, in accordance with the principle of universality of all human rights.
Mexico was aware of the remaining challenges for the elimination of different forms of discrimination,
such as discrimination against women, children, persons with disabilities, people of African descent,
indigenous, migrants, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and persons with a different sexual orientation.
Mexico granted special importance to the rights of migrants, and invited the international community
to redouble its commitment to this area. Security considerations should not prevail over the universal
respect of human rights. Today, members of the international community had the opportunity to
reaffirm the spirit that organised the holding of the Durban World Conference in 2001, and to set the
basis for decided action against discrimination in all its forms.
By identifying common challenges and areas for future cooperation, the international community
would be able to build more fair, inclusive and equal societies. By renewing the commitment to the
full exercise of all human rights for all, without any exceptions, then the international community
would contribute in a solid and sustained manner to the elimination of discrimination in all regions of
the world and to consolidate equality. Legal and institutional changes were required, but also cultural
changes. Cultural reform would positively impact in the elimination of models and processes whereby
prejudices and attitudes of rejection and exclusion were created.

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