Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

At the UN in October, the UK was instrumental in finding consensus during the
October meeting of the intergovernmental working group on the implementation of
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. During the March and June
meetings of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK supported resolutions dealing
with racism and sport and the implementation of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action. At the adoption of the resolution on racism and sport, we
spoke out strongly about our commitment to tackle racism whilst showcasing some
of the work currently underway in the UK, such as football’s Kick it Out Campaign
and Sporting Equals programme. As we made clear, we want to see an active world
that is free from racial discrimination because it is fair and right, and because the
whole of society will benefit.
In December the UK voted against the UN resolution on global efforts for the total
elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and
the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action. We were particularly concerned about the late addition of a
proposal by the main sponsor, South Africa, for a high-level meeting of the UN
General Assembly in September 2011 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the
adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We recognise that it
is common practice for the UN to convene meetings at frequent periodic intervals to
commemorate the adoption of its various social and human-rights-related agendas,
such as the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We were therefore ready
to agree to a limited commemorative event. But in light of the lengthy and difficult
2009 Durban Review Conference, we considered the proposed size and scope of
the 2011 event to be inappropriate and likely to undermine potentially more cohesive
international action to combat racism.
Throughout 2011 we will work to ensure that the commemorative meeting will
address all forms of racism, including antisemitism, and will not provide a platform for
the type of offensive antisemitic rhetoric and behaviour that undermined the World
Conference against Racism in 2001 in Durban as well as the 2009 Durban Review
Conference. We will also work hard to ensure that any outcome from the September
2011 meeting includes a clear statement on the need to further the fight against
antisemitism as part of wider efforts to combat racism.
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