NGO Information Sheet - UN Durban Review Preparatory Committee Deliberations In Geneva
A call to delete hate language targeting Israel in conference draft resolution.
The 2nd Durban Preparatory Conference is currently underway in Geneva. All regional groups have submitted draft documents for consideration as the basis for a final conference review statement. In its submission, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to the global struggle against racism and racial discrimination and provides a series of measures to secure the human rights of all individuals, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, language or gender. There are also laudatory provisions expressing concern about antisemitic ideas and violence in various parts of the world as well as language recalling the European Union’s commitment to commemorating the Holocaust.
Unfortunately, on October 8th, the Asian regional group submitted a document that accuses Israel of “racial practices” against Palestinians, “a new kind of apartheid, a crime against humanity, a form of genocide,” as well as “aggression, acts of racism, and intimidation.” The Asian document reproduces the kind of vitriolic incitement and hateful rhetoric that was produced at the Tehran planning meeting in April 2001 leading to the Durban debacle.
The unacceptable language proposed by the Asian group, if adopted, would violate the principles that the EU set forth in April, 2008, at the UN Preparatory Committee meeting. We call upon you to convey this information immediately to all government leaders to ensure that the European principles about the forthcoming review conference are upheld and that the Durban review conference remains true to its original mandate as reflected in the EU position paper.
European governments should help eliminate the relevant passages from the consolidated document as it has been issued on October 13, 2008 by the United Nations. If this proves difficult, government officials should review other options such as a postponement of the conference until such time as it is possible to delete the hate-filled language.
Problematic are the following passages from the Asian preparatory document that have been included in the draft version of the consolidated document compiled in October in Geneva during the preparatory meeting for the conference (numeration follows the Asian document):
18. Recognize Jerusalem as a city of reverence and religious sanctity for three major religions of the world and call for an international effort to bring foreign occupation, together with all its racial practices, to an end, especially in holy shrines dear to the three religions;
19. Reaffirm that a foreign occupation founded on settlements, its laws based on racial discrimination with the aim of continuing domination of the occupied territory, as well as its practices, which consist of reinforcing a total military blockade, isolating towns, cities and villages under occupation from each other, totally contradict the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and constitute a serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, a new kind of apartheid, a crime against humanity, a form of genocide and a serious threat to international peace and security;
26. Express deep concern at the plight of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes because of war and racial policies of the occupying power and who are prevented from returning to their homes and properties because of a racially based law of return, and recognize the right of return of the Palestinian refugees as established by the General Assembly in its resolutions, particularly resolution 194 (111) of 1 December 1948, and call for their return to their homeland in accordance with and in implementation of this right;
27. Re-emphasize the responsibility of the international community to provide international protection for the Palestinian people under occupation against aggression, acts of racism, intimidation and denial of fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, liberty and self-determination;
68. Express deep regret the practices of racial discrimination against the Palestinians as well as other inhabitants of the Arab occupied territories which have an impact on all aspects of their daily existence such as to prevent the enjoyment of fundamental rights, express our deep concern about this situation and renew the call for the cessation of all the practices of racial discrimination to which the Palestinians and the other inhabitants of the Arab territories occupied by Israel are subjected;
69. Reiterate that the Palestinian people continue to be denied the fundamental right of self determination and urge member States to look at the situation of Palestinian people during the Durban Review Conference and implement the provisions of DDPA with a view to bring lasting peace in the Middle East
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