Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on the implementation of the Durban DPOA (11 to 22 October 2004)

The third session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action closed on 22 October 2004. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Louise Arbour delivered the opening address on 11 October.

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The Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was established by Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/68 and approved by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 2002/270. The Working Group held its first session in Geneva on 21-31 January 2003 (See report, E/CN.4/2003/20 of 24 March 2003) and established its method of work which is organized on a thematic basis.

At its second session held in Geneva on 26 January - 6 February 2004, (See report, E/CN.4/2004/20 of 10 March 2004) the Working Group examined the themes of poverty and education and assessed the need for complementary standards with a view to strengthen implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

At its third session held on 11 to 22 october 2004, the High Commissioner expressed her determination to make the struggle against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia a priority of her Office, by cutting across all its areas of activities through an approach as practical as possible.

Several experts participated as panellists on the themes which were under consideration by the Intergovernmental Working Group, namely racism and health, racism and the Internet and Complementary Standards. Recommendations were adopted by the Working Group on each theme.

Representatives of 13 States took the floor in the general debate. Delegates stressed the importance of implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and expressed their commitment to fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Several delegates welcomed the broad participation of States on the first day of the Intergovernmental Working Group and called on States to continue to actively participate in the proceedings.

Several delegates expressed support for the pragmatic approach taken during the discussions with an aim to finding practical solutions to eliminate racism and racial discrimination.

Delegates discussed strategies that were being implemented at the national level. Anti-discrimination legislations have been adopted and are being elaborated in several countries. Numerous States referred to the work undertaken by various Ministries within their Governments as well as by national human rights institutions in tackling racism and racial discrimination.

Several delegates acknowledged that the primary responsibility for combating racial discrimination lay with States. States were encouraged to ratify the ICERD and were reminded that the effective implementation of the Convention was of utmost importance. Some delegates acknowledged the positive efforts made to date by the United Nations and other regional organizations in combating racism. The importance of the international legal framework in combating racism and racial discrimination was pointed out by many delegates. Some delegates mentioned the need to tackle contemporary forms of racism with additional tools.

Several NGOs acknowledged the importance of the follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and stressed how discrimination is plaguing the lives of various groups of people and the difficulties they face.

The establishment of follow up mechanisms after the Durban conference is seen as a positive step towards fighting racism by delegations, NGOs and panellists.

The discussions on the three themes triggered substantive participation from delegates and NGOs. Following discussion and analysis on the thematic issues of racism and heath, racism and the Internet, and on the issue of complementary standards, the IGWG agreed on a set of recommendations which are incorporated in the report on the session which will be made available following clearance by the Chairperson-Rapporteur.

• List of Documents Prepared for the third Session of the Working Group