RES/6/23 Preparations for the Durban Review Conference

Human Rights Council

Resolution 6/23. Preparations for the Durban Review Conference

The Human Rights Council,

Welcoming General Assembly resolution 61/149 of 19 December 2006, by

which the Assembly convened the Durban Review Conference in 2009,

Recalling its resolution 3/2 of 8 December 2006 by which the Council

contextualized, clarified and elaborated on several preparatory processes for the

Durban Review Conference, in accordance with the established practice of the

General Assembly,

Welcoming the convening of the first session (organizational session) of the

Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference held in Geneva from 27 to

31 August 2007 and, in this regard, looking forward to the two substantive sessions of

the Preparatory Committee tentatively scheduled to be held in Geneva from 21 April

to 2 May 2008 and 6 to 17 October 2008, respectively,

Noting with deep regret, in the above context, the non-participation of all

relevant non-governmental organizations, including the victims of racism, racial

discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and also regretting the fact that

not all these entities were able to contribute to the Preparatory Committee’s dialogue

on the “Objectives of the Review Conference”,

Noting that an effective preparatory process for the Durban Review

Conference requires the full participation of all relevant non-governmental

organizations, including the victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and

related intolerance, in order for these entities to contribute to the Preparatory

Committee’s dialogue on the objectives of the Conference,

Noting all the decisions taken by the Preparatory Committee with regard to the

facilitation of all the preparatory processes to the 2009 Durban Review Conference,

1. Requests the Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee for the Durban

Review Conference to present her report to the General Assembly during its

sixty-second session, covering the activities of the Preparatory Committee and

progress made in preparation for the 2009 Durban Review Conference;

2. Looks forward to the General Assembly, in its capacity as the highest

political entity of the United Nations system, providing political guidance and taking

further decisions, as and when necessary, to ensure a smooth and successful

Conference with a relevant substantive outcome complementary to the Durban

Declaration and Programme of Action;

3. Decides to remain seized of this important item on its agenda.

22nd meeting 28 September 2007

[Adopted by a recorded vote of 33 to 10, with 3 abstentions

In favour: Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti,

Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali,

Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian

Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Zambia.

Against: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Romania,

Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Abstaining: Japan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine.]

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