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The anti-racism debate By Navanethem Pillay Tags: Durban, Israel News, racism I grew up in Durban, South Africa, under a system of apartheid that institutionalized racial discrimination, denying equal rights of citizenship to all those who were not white. I later sat as a judge on the Rwanda Tribunal, where I came to know in painful detail, killing by killing, the unimaginable destruction of humanity when ethnic hatred explodes into genocide. I know that the consequences of allowing discrimination, inequality and intolerance to fester and spiral out of control can be genocidal. But South Africa's experience shows that with political will and a commitment to act, discrimination, inequality and intolerance can be overcome. We have just witnessed the election of the first African-American president of the United States, a country where racial segregation is as vivid a memory for some as it is for me. States will have an opportunity to demonstrate their determination to fight intolerance by moving the anti-racism agenda forward when, in April 2009, an international review conference meets in Geneva. The conference will evaluate the implementation of government commitments to eradicate racial hatred and discrimination, made seven years ago in Durban. It is imperative that all states participate and contribute to this crucial process in order to consolidate and improve the common ground on those fundamental human rights issues we all agree on. Regrettably, last January, Canada announced its intention to withdraw from the Durban review conference. And this month, so did Israel. Advertisement Behind these decisions stands the controversy that tainted the 2001 Durban Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and that was caused by the anti-Semitic behavior of some non-governmental organizations at the sidelines of the conference. Yet the document that emerged from the conference itself, the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA), transcended divisive and intolerant approaches. The DDPA offers a comprehensive global framework that calls for the adoption of more effective anti-discrimination laws and policies. It highlights discrimination against minorities, migrants and indigenous people, and it empowers civil society to demand accountability for actions committed or omitted by strengthening victims' grounds for recourse. The DDPA clearly states that: "The Holocaust must never be forgotten." It calls for an end to violence in the Middle East and recognizes Israel's right to security. It urges Israelis and Palestinians to resume the peace process and expresses deep concern about the rise in anti-Semitism around the world, as well as alarm over mounting prejudice related to religious beliefs, including Islamophobia. In April 2009, at the Durban review conference, states are expected to provide an assessment of achievements and gaps in the implementation of the commitments made in 2001, as well as identify concrete ways to improve performance and impact on the ground. The review is also meant to share and take ownership of good practices in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It is an important opportunity to renew global commitment to our common goals and revitalize efforts to move toward these goals. All too often national policies and practices lag behind states' pledges. Yet progress in combating racism and intolerance is sorely needed in every region of the world. The Durban review conference is a timely opportunity to reaffirm the principles of non-discrimination and to build on the Durban Declaration and Program of Action. It is for states to ensure that this objective is met and implementation gaps are closed. If all states are not engaged in the process, this goal may remain elusive. Thus, the concerns expressed by Canada and Israel that the review conference will become a platform for denigrating Israel must be assuaged. Seven years ago, states did so by elevating the conference's outcome above the hatred and hostility that took place on its periphery, and by reaching a broad agreement on the necessary measures to combat racism and intolerance. They must achieve that commonality of purpose again through active engagement rather than withdrawal. We owe a frank debate and concrete action to the victims of discrimination, intolerance and racism. We can avoid or overcome friction by focusing on how to give new momentum to the struggle against these unconscionable practices. States have a responsibility to show leadership against racial discrimination and intolerance. What message does a state boycott send to those who are suffering from racism? What message does it send to those who perpetuate racism? This struggle concerns all of us in our increasingly multi-cultural and multi-ethnic societies. Navanethem Pillay is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The Eilat bus crash At least 24 Russian tour guides were killed in one of Israel's worst road accidents. Setting it straight Livni: Syria peace must involve more than just eating hummus in Damascus.   1.   You are right Sir BUT 11:20  |  Also South African 16/12/08   2.   Yeah, right 11:34  |  Haym 16/12/08   3.   BIASED ONE SIDED FULL OF HATE 11:45  |  Jeff 16/12/08   4.   Israel not RACIST anyway, so why go? 12:45  |  observer 16/12/08   5.   This year`s Durban conference will indict Lebanon 12:57  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/12/08   6.   This year`s Durban conference will indict Lebanon 12:57  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/12/08   7.   Durban !! 13:06  |  JoJo 16/12/08   8.   Conference 13:10  |  Choni 16/12/08   9.   Why feer to go? 13:32  |  M 16/12/08   10.   We have better uses for our funds 13:38  |  Herbert Kaine 16/12/08   11.   #1 also South African spot on 13:45  |  CTInterfaithconvenor 16/12/08   12.   Time to Indict Stalin, Arafat, Gaddafi, Ahmedinejad, Mugabe... 14:24  |  NoToStupidPeople 16/12/08   13.   Will South Africa apologise for its role in supporting Mugabe 14:41  |  PETER SM 16/12/08   14.   "South Africa`s experience" 15:01  |  Realist 16/12/08   15.   "Fundamental Human Rights Issues We All Agree On"? 15:10  |  Jeff Northridge 16/12/08   16.   We have done crusades, burnings and inquisitions before 15:32  |  Harvey 16/12/08   17.   Why, pray tell? 16:25  |  Angel 16/12/08   18.   Why should Israel attend this kangaroo court? 18:00  |  Joe Sittizen 16/12/08   19.   Proud of Canada 18:06  |  Jon 16/12/08   20.   Israel was at the anti-semitics conference last.... 18:33  |  Ofer Maimon 16/12/08   21.   What`s a Thanksgiving meal without a turkey? 19:21  |  Ilan 16/12/08   22.   UN nonsense 19:38  |  Israel stay away 16/12/08   23.   M`s question about "fear" 19:57  |  SDHD 16/12/08   24.   Durban Conference 20:29  |  DrNorm 16/12/08   25.   Ironic -- given Navi Pillay`s previous work 21:51  |  Serge 16/12/08   26.   Attendance by Israel is mandatory. Nonatendance delinquency! 22:34  |  Ivar 16/12/08   27.   Not only Isarel should stay away 22:41  |  Daniel 16/12/08   28.   Time for the UN HRC to stand in front of the show me state 23:33  |  Jacob Blues 16/12/08   29.   Stop Hate Fest 00:24  |  Baruch Gold 17/12/08   30.   When pigs fly Madam Pillay 01:50  |  peter 17/12/08   31.   to M of Gaza 02:34  |  observer 17/12/08   32.   sancta simplicitas 03:16  |  Boris 17/12/08   33.   Don`t use Obama to generalize on racism 03:20  |  Mike 17/12/08   34.   Israel won`t go due to fear, nothing more. 04:32 04:32  |  BBSNews 17/12/08   35.   Sit and Listen to Two Dozen Genocidal Theocracies 05:44  |  UsedToPostHere 17/12/08   36.   no way are we obligated to partake in sick organizations racist 05:49  |  ralph 17/12/08   37.   BBS When the Humanitarians criticise the racist Hamas Charter! 06:25  |  PETER SM 17/12/08   38.   Durban should be disbanded 08:43  |  Peter Williams 17/12/08   39.   UNO=anti-Semitism. 08:45  |  Jean Van Daem 17/12/08   40.   #24 michael at bad news should ask why 09:04  |  victor hardman 17/12/08

Read & React Jurists tell Barak: Don't shell Gaza population centers Responses: 122 Police: Too soon to blame Eilat bus crash on drivers' dispute Responses: 27 11 Qassams hit Negev, 48 hours before truce set to end Responses: 37 Amira Hass: Hamas expects Israel to foil two-state solution Responses: 28 Alexander Yakobson: Israel has no real peace initiative Responses: 31 More Headlines 16:56 Mofaz: Dispute between bus drivers definitely caused fatal Eilat crash 17:27 Qassam rocket hits Sderot residential area as rockets pelt Negev 17:38 Hamas leader: No truce unless Israel eases Gaza restrictions 13:55 Russia to supply Lebanon with 10 MiG-29 fighter jets 17:54 The infant death email rumor that made Osem's stock tank 04:28 Jurists tell Barak: Don't shell Gaza population centers 14:06 3-year-old Adolf Hitler finally gets his name on his birthday cake 13:19 Livni seeks 'Big Brother' voter turnout in Kadima primary 15:52 Relatives of Russian crash victims arrive in Israel 12:43 Stretches of roads near Eilat are potential death traps 17:54 Austrian president in W. Bank: Settlement construction must stop 13:32 Israel's Big Brother: Plenty of ethnic tension, but no sex 04:37 Israeli diplomat: No more talks with Syria at this time 01:59 'I awoke and saw everyone was down on the ground around me' 15:58 Journalist Uri Orbach joins new right-wing party 13:22 Olmert bans Haaretz reporter from London briefing over 2001 article 13:12 U.S. 'Lord of the Flies'-based reality show to air in Israel 10:41 Italian MP says Vatican didn't do enough to help Jews in WWII Previous Editions Select Day 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec

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