Newsletter: issue no. 5
Produced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Durban Review Conference. The Conference aims to develop more effective strategies to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
High Commissioner highlights importance of Durban Review Conference at Human Rights Council
In her first annual report to the Human Rights Council on 5 March, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay underlined her support for an inclusive and successful Durban Review Conference. In an interactive dialogue following her presentation, many government representatives noted that the Durban Review Conference was an important milestone and that preparations for the Conference required everyone’s engagement in a frank, transparent, unconditional and constructive exercise.
- Featured Update on the High Commissioner at the Human Rights Council
- Introduction to the annual report (text file)
Navi Pillay: Adopt gender-sensitive policies when addressing the economic crisis
The world risks facing a serious setback in women's rights unless gender-sensitive policies are adopted in the face of the current global economic crisis, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned in her statement issued for International Women's Day on 8 March. The Durban Review Conference will address the need to improve strategies for greater equality between men and women.
- Navi Pillay statement
NGO Participation in the Durban Review Conference and Preparatory Process
The deadline for NGOs to apply for accreditation to the Conference, 10 February, has passed. All participants at the Conference need to register in advance of the Conference to expedite the process of issuing security passes. The deadline for registration is 30 March 2009. Accredited NGOs may also need formal letters of attestation for their visa applications to the Swiss authorities.The NGO participation page on the Durban Review Conference website has been fully updated with all relevant information and contacts for NGOs.
- NGO participation page
Durban Review Conference poster
The official Conference poster has been posted on the Durban Review Conference Website. The poster is available in all six official UN languages and can be found in each language on the relevant language website.
- Review Conference Poster
To receive more information or to subscribe to the newsletter, send an e-mail to
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Tel: +41 22 928 9208
Doune Porter
Public Information Officer
Anti-Discrimination Unit
Tel: +41 22 928 9595
Pierre Hazan
Public Information Officer
Communications Unit
Tel: +41 22 928 9542