NOTE VERBALE DATED 2008/10/08 FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SRI LANKA TO THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA ADDRESSED TO THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
GE.08-16413 (R) 161008 161008
A/CONF.211/PC.3/5
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Annex
CONTRIBUTION OF THE ASIAN REGION TO THE
DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE
Reaffirming the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted at the World
Conference against Racism in 2001, as a landmark document in global efforts to eradicate
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recalling the 2001 Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action by the Asian Preparatory
Meeting,
Reaffirming the values and principles of human dignity and equality enshrined in the
Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Recalling the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial
Countries and Peoples of 1960,
Stressing the importance of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Racial Discrimination and other relevant international conventions and declarations which
contribute to the fight against racism and racial discrimination,
Emphasizing the will and determination of all Governments of the region to combat
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their forms and
manifestations,
Reaffirming that genuine acceptance of cultural diversity, as a permanent feature of our
societies, is a cherished asset for the advancement and welfare of humanity at large,
Reiterating the need to intensify the struggle to eliminate all Forms of Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance throughout the world including
Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
especially its most worst forms,
Recognizing that, while the significance of national and regional particularities and various
historical, social and cultural particularities must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States,
regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to adopt appropriate strategies and
policies in combating all acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance,
A/CONF.211/PC.3/5
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Recalling that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World
Conference on Human Rights in June 1993 regards the elimination of racism and racial
discrimination, in particular resulting from doctrines of racial superiority or exclusivity or
contemporary forms and manifestations of racism, as a primary objective for the international
community,
Emphasizing that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are
affronts to the dignity of humankind and constitute a flagrant violation of human rights,
Stressing the importance of the promotion and protection of the human rights of ethnic,
national, racial and cultural, religious, linguistic minorities, indigenous people and migrants,
including their rights to maintain their cultural identity and observe their values and traditions,
Noting with concern that since the 2001 Durban World Conference, racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance have not abated, and even appear to be on
the rise in certain parts of the world,
Expressing concern at the rise of political platforms that espouse racist and xenophobic
ideologies and related intolerance,
Expressing concern at the high incidents of racially-motivated acts of violence and
intolerance aimed at minorities, migrants, and other groups of Asian decent living in other
continents,
Bearing in mind that the adequate and clear resolution of past problems caused by racially
and ethnically discriminatory policies and practices could contribute to preventing the recurrence
of such policies and practices and to friendship and peaceful relations among peoples and
nations,
Alarmed by the emergence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance in its more subtle contemporary forms, and other ideologies and practices based on
racial or ethnic discrimination or superiority,
Recalling opposition to all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance and expressing serious concern on the resurgence of contemporary forms of such
abhorrent crimes in various parts of the world,
Condemning any kind of discrimination, exclusion or preference on the grounds of race,
colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin as well as on the grounds of culture, religion and
language which constitutes an offence to humanity and an obstacle to friendly and peaceful
relations among peoples and nations,
A/CONF.211/PC.3/5
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Reaffirming our commitment to combat contemporary manifestations of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recognizing that the historical, social and cultural contribution of all the people of Asia,
which has always been characterized by respect, tolerance and mutual understanding, has
enriched the civilizational and cultural diversity of the world and the common heritage of
humanity,
Emphasizing the importance of the equitable participation of all peoples and nations,
without any discrimination, in their domestic as well as global decision-making,
Recognizing the need to protect and promote the rights of ethnic, racial, cultural, national
and linguistic minorities, as well as the need to counter the social exclusion and marginalization
of such minorities,
Reaffirming the right of all peoples to live in a society free of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as the duty of Governments to take prompt, decisive
and appropriate measures to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination,
Reaffirming that colonization by settlers and foreign occupation constitute sources, causes
and forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Expressing concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
are among the root causes of many internal and international conflicts, including armed conflicts,
Taking note with appreciation of the ongoing progress made by States at the national,
regional and international levels, focusing on the comprehensive follow-up to the World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the
effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action,
Confirming that all Governments should support the ongoing efforts to promote harmony
and friendly relations amongst the various cultures, religions and civilizations,
Emphasizing that respect for religions and their protection from contempt is an essential
element conducive for the exercise by all of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion,
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Recognizing with deep concern the increase in anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and
Islamophobia in various parts of the World, as well as the emergence of racial and violent
movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas directed against Arab, Christian, Jewish
and Muslim communities, as well as all religious communities, communities of people of
African decent, communities of peoples of Asian decent, communities of indigenous people and
other communities,
Recalling that such acts are inconsistent with the spirit of the UN Charter which seeks to
promote peaceful co-existence amongst nations,
Emphasizing that the right to freedom of expression has responsibilities and limitations as
prescribed by international law and stressing the need to further strengthen the process of global
dialogue to promote a culture of tolerance and peace based on respect for human rights and
cultural diversity,
Expressing concern at the use of counter-terrorism measures based on racial profiling,
Emphasizing that equating any religion with terrorism should be rejected and combated by
all at all levels,
Affirming that the insidious penetration of racist and xenophobic platforms into the
political agendas under the pretext of combating terrorism, defending national identity and the
national interest, promoting national preference and combating irregular immigration- leads to a
generalized application of racist and xenophobic rhetoric,
Reaffirming condemnation of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance, including the platforms and activities related thereto, which constitute serious
violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as impede equal opportunity,
Welcoming the adoption of GA Resolutions 61/19 and 62/122 related to the abolition of the
Trans-Atlantic slave trade and remembrance of its victims and, in particular, the designation of
25th March as an annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade, beginning in 2008,
Recalling paragraphs 98 to 106 of the Durban Declaration, and emphasizing, in particular,
the importance of the “provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress, and compensatory and
other measures at the national, regional and international levels”, aimed at countering the
continued impact of slavery and the slave trade,
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Reiterating that slavery and slave trade, including transatlantic slave trade, are crimes
against humanity and that the consequences of slavery, slave trade, colonialism, foreign
occupation, alien domination, genocide and other forms of servitude have manifested themselves
in poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities for the
developing world,
Expressing grave concern at the negative effects on human rights and development posed
by contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, especially women and children and
at the increasing vulnerability of States to such crimes and reaffirming the need to work
collectively to combat contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons,
Expressing dismay at instances of religious and cultural prejudices, misunderstanding,
intolerance and discrimination on the basis of religion or beliefs or different systems, which
undermine the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and hinder the
promotion of the culture of peace,
Emphasizing that pluralism, tolerance, and understanding of religious and cultural diversity
are essential elements for peace and harmony and acts of prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping,
and racial, religious and sectarian profiling are affronts to human dignity and equality, and
should not be condoned,
Recognizing that respect for democracy and human rights and the promotion of
understanding and tolerance by governments as well as between and among minorities are
central to the promotion and protection of human rights,
Expressing solidarity with the peoples of Africa in their continuing struggle against
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and recognize the sacrifices
made by them as well as their efforts in raising international public awareness of this inhuman
tragedy,
Welcoming the UNGA resolution 61/295 of 13 September 2007 on the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the HRC resolution 6/36 of 14 December
2007 on the creation of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as a
subsidiary body of the Council,
Also welcoming the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities on 3 May 2008,
A/CONF.211/PC.3/5
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I. (...) Provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress, and compensatory
and other measures at all levels
44. (...) Reiterate that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to create a
database containing information on practical means to address racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, particularly international and regional instruments and
national legislation, including anti-discrimination legislation, as well as legal means to combat
racial discrimination; remedies available through international mechanisms to victims of racial
discrimination, as well as national remedies;
65.

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