DOCSLIB.ORG

03-Deliverable-2.1.Pdf (2.141Mb)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
03-Deliverable-2.1.Pdf (2.141Mb) Factors which enable or hinder the protection of human rights Eva Maria Lassen (editor), Monika Mayrhofer, Peter Vedel Kessing, Hans-Otto Sano, Daniel García San José, Rikke Frank Jørgensen 10.7404/FRAME.REPS.24 August 2014 .1 Fostering Human Rights among European Policies Large-Scale FP7 Collaborative Project GA No. 320000 1 May 2013-30 April 2017 Factors which enable or hinder the protection of human rights Work Package No. 2 – Deliverable No. 1 Due date 31 July 2014 Submission date 4 August 2014 Dissemination level PU Lead Beneficiary The Danish Institute for Human Rights Authors Eva Maria Lassen (editor), Monika Mayrhofer, Peter Vedel Kessing, Hans- Otto Sano, Daniel García San José, Rikke Frank Jørgensen http://www.fp7-frame.eu FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 Executive Summary In assessing the factors that influence the protection and promotion of human rights in the European Union (EU), this report elucidates those factors that cut across the catalogue of human rights. This report seeks to examine contemporary human rights challenges in this context by mapping the historical, political, legal, economic, social, cultural, religious, ethnical and technological factors that both facilitate and hamper human rights in the EU. This report is part of Work Package 2 ‘Challenges and Factors’ of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project Fostering Human Rights among European Policies (FRAME). This first cluster of FRAME constitutes the foundations of a sound knowledge base for the assessment of EU human rights policies, encompassing the evolving factors, concepts, institutions and instruments that underlie human rights protection and promotion. The objective of the report is to analyse these crucial factors while taking into account challenges brought about by globalisation, with a focus on access to basic rights. The report does this through the provision of a qualitative mapping addressing the major topics related to each factor. The report is divided into 10 chapters and provides a chapter on each of the above cross-cutting factors, including an overview of the factor drawn from a literature review, an assessment of current knowledge of the factor and its impact on human rights in the EU, and challenges and gaps requiring further study. The report canvasses the major landmarks in EU history, with a view both to its external and internal policies (Chapter II, Historical), before addressing the inherently political nature of human rights themselves and the importance of States, sovereignty, ideologies, power, citizenship and democracy to their implementation (Chapter III, Political). Turning to legal factors, the report considers the coherence of obligations within the EU; whether the EU is bound by human rights obligations when acting externally; the relationship of human rights obligations and other international law norms; and finally shared human rights responsibility between the EU and Member States (Chapter IV, Legal). Taking post-crisis Europe as its departure point, the report analyses the economic dimensions of human rights in the EU, including the significance of economic decline, the internal market, poverty, employment, foreign policy, and development and trade (Chapter V, Economic). Turning to social factors, the report addresses the importance of the principle of non-discrimination in EU policy and institutions, before specifically considering the aspects of gender, sexual orientation, disability and age (Chapter VI, Social). The report then zooms in on cultural and religious factors. Taking a dualistic approach, this chapter focuses on those cultural and religious factors which may hinder or facilitate EU human rights policies as well as topical human rights issues which have a substantial impact on the space provided for culture and religion in a human rights context (Chapter VII, Cultural and Religious). Closely related to cultural and religious factors, the report proceeds to ethnical factors, addressing in particular ethnic minorities and their enjoyment of basic rights (Chapter VIII, Ethnical). The report goes on to consider the importance of technological factors in relation to human rights policies in the EU. This chapter analyses non-discriminatory access to the internet; protecting internet freedoms; ii FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 freedom of expression and self-regulation; privacy, surveillance, and cyber security; and internet governance (Chapter IX, Technological). Finally, the report concludes with a summary of the chapters, key insights from each factor, and recommendations for further study and analysis. The EU today stands at a crossroads with regard to human rights. Taking into account, historical, political, legal, economic social, cultural, religious, ethnical and technological factors that enable or hinder human rights protection, this report sets out the cross-cutting issues that may inform the Union’s future direction. iii FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 List of abbreviations ACTA Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement AR5 The Assessment Report on Climate Change 2014: Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability BRIC Brazil, Russia, India and China CEO Chief Executive Officer CERD Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination CERT Computer Emergency Response Teams CFREU Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union CJEU Court of Justice of European Union CoE Council of Europe COHOM Human Rights Working Group of the Council of Europe COHRE Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, European Committee of Social Rights CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CSOs Civil Society Organizations EC European Community EEC European Economic Community ECHR European Convention on Human Rights ECJ European Court of Justice ECRI European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance ECtHR European Court of Human Rights EDRi European Digital Rights EEAS European External Action Service EEC European Economic Community EFSF European Financial Stability Facility EIDHR European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights EPAP European Platform Against Poverty iv FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 ESM European Stability Mechanism EU European Union EURODIG European Governance Forum FRA European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights HRC UN Human Rights Committee IANA Internet Assigned Numbers Authority ICANN International Corporation for Assigning Names and Numbers ICCPR International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights ICJ International Court of Justice ICT Information and Communication Technology IGF Internet Governance Forum IHRL International Human Rights Law ILC International Law Commission IMF International Monetary Fund IPCC The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel of Experts on Climate Change IPR Intellectual Property Rights ISP Internet Service Provider LAs Local Authorities LGTB(IQ) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, (Intersex, Questioning) LIBE The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs MDG Millennium Development Goals OHCHR United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights OIC Organisation of Islamic Cooperation OJ Official Journal of European Union OMC Open Method of Coordination v FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 OMT Outright Monetary Transactions PI Privacy International PRISM Electronic surveillance launched by the US National Security Agency (NSA) TCN Third-country national TEEC Treaty establishing the European Economic Community TEU Treaty on European Union TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union TNCs Transnational Companies TSCG Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union TTIP Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization WG II The Working Group No 2 of the IPCC WSIS UN World Summit on the Information Society WTO World Trade Organization WW2 World War2 vi FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................2 List of abbreviations ...........................................................................................................................4 I. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1 A. Mapping key cultural, economic, ethnical, historical, legal, political, religious, social and technological factors ................................................................................................................................. 1 B. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 1 C. Contents of the report ...................................................................................................................... 2 II. Historical factors ........................................................................................................................5 A. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5 B. Structure and methodology .............................................................................................................. 5 C. Discovering human rights: landmarks in the history of the EU ........................................................ 6 D. Conclusions and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Right to Peace, Which Occurred on 19 December 2016 by a Majority of Its Member States
    In July 2016, the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations in Geneva recommended to the General Assembly (UNGA) to adopt a Declaration on the Right to Peace, which occurred on 19 December 2016 by a majority of its Member States. The Declaration on the Right to Peace invites all stakeholders to C. Guillermet D. Fernández M. Bosé guide themselves in their activities by recognizing the great importance of practicing tolerance, dialogue, cooperation and solidarity among all peoples and nations of the world as a means to promote peace. To reach this end, the Declaration states that present generations should ensure that both they and future generations learn to live together in peace with the highest aspiration of sparing future generations the scourge of war. Mr. Federico Mayor This book proposes the right to enjoy peace, human rights and development as a means to reinforce the linkage between the three main pillars of the United Nations. Since the right to life is massively violated in a context of war and armed conflict, the international community elaborated this fundamental right in the 2016 Declaration on the Right to Peace in connection to these latter notions in order to improve the conditions of life of humankind. Ambassador Christian Guillermet Fernandez - Dr. David The Right to Peace: Fernandez Puyana Past, Present and Future The Right to Peace: Past, Present and Future, demonstrates the advances in the debate of this topic, the challenges to delving deeper into some of its aspects, but also the great hopes of strengthening the path towards achieving Peace.
    [Show full text]
  • Center News/Faculty and Staff Updates
    Human Rights Brief Volume 17 | Issue 3 Article 13 2010 Center News/Faculty and Staff pU dates Human Rights Brief Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief Part of the Legal Education Commons Recommended Citation Human Rights Brief. "Center News/Faculty and Staff pdU ates." Human Rights Brief 17, no.3 (2010): 72-74. This Column is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington College of Law Journals & Law Reviews at Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Human Rights Brief by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : Center News/Faculty and Staff Updates CENTER NEWS/FACULTY AND STAFF UPDATES ceNter NeWs Immigration and Customs Enforcement, of conduct that constitute customary law; U.S. Department of Homeland Security). the place of legal dualism in a mod- centeR’s progRam On Human neha Misra (Solidarity Center, AFL- ern constitutional state; intersections of tRafficking anD fORceD laBOR CIO), Ann Jordan, (Program Director, customary law and gender, particularly HOsts cOnfeRence examining OBama Center’s Program on Human Trafficking with respect to land tenure rights; and the aDministRatiOn’s approacH tO and Forced Labor), and Bama Athreya inclusion of customary law in national cOmBating tRafficking anD fORceD (International Labor Rights Forum) served and regional courts. sanele sibanda, lec- laBOR as moderators. turer at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, delivered the keynote The Center for Human Rights and speech on whether modern conceptions Humanitarian Law’s Program on Human u.s.-isRael civil liBeRties laW of democracy and human rights provide a Trafficking and Forced Labor, along with fellows progRam celeBRates 25 role for customary law in advancing human the International Labor Rights Forum yeaRs; professOR HeRman scHWaRtz rights or enriching the constitutional state.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Regional Preparatory Conference for Africa
    UNITED NATIONS A A/CONF.211/PC.3/4 Distr: General General Assembly 3 September 2008 Original: English Durban Review Conference Preparatory Committee Second substantive session Geneva, 6–17 October 2008 Item 3 of the provisional agenda Reports of preparatory meetings and activities at the international, regional and national levels Report of the Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa for the Durban Review Conference (Abuja, 24–26 August 2008) Vice-Chair/Rapporteur: Ms. Cissy Taliwaku (Uganda) K0841735 260909 A/CONF.211/PC.3/4 Contents I. Final document of the Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa for the Durban Review Conference......................................................................................................................................3 A. Review of progress and assessment of implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including the assessment of contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance............................................................5 B. Assessing, for the purpose of enhancing, the effectiveness of existing Durban Declaration and Programme of Action follow-up mechanisms and other United Nations mechanisms dealing with the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance............................................................9 C. Promotion of the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly 26 March 2010
    United Nations A/RES/64/148 Distr.: General General Assembly 26 March 2010 Sixty-fourth session Agenda item 67 (b) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2009 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/64/437)] 64/148. 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 The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 52/111 of 12 December 1997, in which it decided to convene the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and its resolutions 56/266 of 27 March 2002, 57/195 of 18 December 2002, 58/160 of 22 December 2003, 59/177 of 20 December 2004 and 60/144 of 16 December 2005, which guided the comprehensive follow-up to and effective implementation of the World Conference, and in this regard underlining the importance of their full and effective implementation, Welcoming the outcome of the Durban Review Conference convened in Geneva from 20 to 24 April 2009 within the framework of the General Assembly in accordance with its resolution 61/149 of 19 December 2006, Noting the approaching commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the 1 adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action,0F Recalling all of the relevant resolutions and decisions of the Commission on Human Rights and of the Human Rights Council on this subject, and calling for their implementation to ensure the successful implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, 2 Noting Human Rights Council decision 3/103 of 8 December 2006,1F by which, heeding the decision and instruction of the World Conference, the Council established the Ad Hoc Committee of the Human Rights Council on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards, _______________ 1 See A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1, chap.
    [Show full text]
  • MINORITY DEATH MATCH Jews, Blacks, And
    September US Subs Cover Final2rev2 7/28/09 3:36 PM Page 1 SCENES FROM THE IRANIAN UPRISING HARPER’S MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2009 $6.95 ◆ MINORITY DEATH MATCH Jews, Blacks, and the “Post-Racial” Presidency By Naomi Klein DEHUMANIZED When Math and Science Rule the School By Mark Slouka ADRIANA A story by J. M. Coetzee Also: Breyten Breytenbach and Richard Nixon ◆ REPORT MINORITY DEATH MATCH Jews, blacks, and the “post-racial” presidency By Naomi Klein When I arrived at the grand of- “Durban II,” this was the only United ing, why should they? And it could get fices of the United Nations High Nations gathering specifi cally focused worse, Pillay told me. “The E.U. states Commissioner for Human Rights, at on pushing governments to combat are meeting at 6:00 p.m. tonight, and the Palais Wilson, looking out at a racism inside their borders, a task that the Netherlands and Italy are likely to drizzly Lake Geneva, pull out.” She and U.N. Navanethem Pillay was Secretary-General Ban hunched over the Ki-moon had been on shoulder of her deputy, the phone with foreign Kyung-wha Kang, dic- ministers all day, trying tating a press release. “I to prevent the entire am shocked and deeply European Union from disappointed,” I heard walking out. Canada her say, pointing at the and Israel had pulled screen while Kang out months before. typed. It was 3:00 p.m., As Pillay was tally- and Pillay was having a ing up the damage, an very bad day. aide popped her head “Done,” she finally in the door: “The danc- declared, plopping down ers are here.” The high at her conference table.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents Chapter 6 HUMAN RIGHTS 142 A
    Table of Contents Chapter 6 HUMAN RIGHTS 142 A. GENERAL 142 1. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 142 2. Periodic Report to the UN Committee on Human Rights Concerning the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 142 3. Human Rights Council 143 a. Overview 143 b. U.S. Universal Periodic Review 144 c. Work of Special Representative: Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 148 d. Actions regarding Libya 149 (1) Special Session 149 (2) Suspension of Libya from Membership 151 e. Actions regarding Syria 153 (1) Special Session on Syria in April (16th Special Session) 153 (2) Special Session on Syria in August (17th Special Session) 155 (3) First report of the Commission of Inquiry 157 (4) Special Session on Syria in December (18th Special Session) 158 B. DISCRIMINATION 159 1. Race 159 a. Overview 159 b. Durban follow-up and tenth anniversary commemorations 159 (1) Human Rights Council 159 (2) General Assembly 161 c. Other issues relating to protecting freedom expression while countering racism or intolerance 162 d. OAS Resolution on the Draft Inter-American Convention Against Racism 164 2. Gender 165 a. Women, Peace, and Security 165 (1) The United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security 165 (2) United Nations actions on women, peace, and security 172 b. Women’s health 174 c. Women and nationality 175 d. UN Commission on the Status of Women 176 3. Sexual Orientation 176 a. March Joint Statement at the Human Rights Council 177 b. June Human Rights Council Resolution 177 c. U.S. initiatives to protect the human rights of LGBT persons 179 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Efforts for the Total Elimination of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance And
    United Nations A/69/354 General Assembly Distr.: General 26 August 2014 Original: English Sixty-ninth session Item 67 (b) of the provisional agenda* Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 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** Report of the Secretary-General Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 68/151, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit to it at its sixty-ninth session a report on the implementation of the resolution. The report was prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. It summarizes information received from stakeholders, and concludes with recommendations. * A/69/150. ** The present document was submitted late owing to the need to consult with partners. 14-59833 (E) 110914 *1459833* A/69/354 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 68/151, the General Assembly acknowledged the efforts and initiatives undertaken by States to prohibit discrimination and segregation and to engender the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political rights. The Assembly emphasized that, despite efforts in that regard, millions of human beings continued to be victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
    [Show full text]
  • Meld. St. 33 (2011–2012) Report to the Storting (White Paper)
    Meld. St. 33 (2011–2012) Report to the Storting (white paper) Published by: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway and the United Nations: Common Future, Internet address: www.government.no Common Solutions Cover design: Anna Maria Pirolt/Felix Media Printed by: 07 Aurskog AS 03/2013 ER JØM KE IL T M 2 4 9 1 7 3 Trykksak Cover photo: Row 1: 1. Giacomo Pirozzi/ UNICEF, 2. Guri Dahl/ tinagent.com, 3. Victoria Hazou/ UN Photo, 4. Albert Gonzales Farran/ UN Photo, 5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Row 3: 1. Johan Wildhagen/ Innovation Norway, 2. John Isaac/ UN Photo Row 4: 1. Bernadino Soares/ UN Poto, 2. Eskinder Debebe/ UN Photo Row 5: 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Row 6: 1. Jacob Silberberg/Panos Pictures /Felix Features, 2. UN Photo/Joao Araujo Row 7: 1. Sigrun Agøy Engum/ Norway UN, 2. Marco Dormino/ UN Photo Meld. St. 33 (2011–2012) Report to the Storting (white paper) Norway and the United Nations: Common Future, Common Solutions Contents Summary ......................................................... 5 3 The international legal order, human rights and gender 1 Vision and values ....................... 10 equality .......................................... 41 1.1 Norway and the United Nations .. 10 3.1 The international legal order ........ 41 1.1.1 Norway’s UN policy in a 3.1.1 The normative role of the UN ...... 41 changing world .............................. 10 3.1.2 Compliance with international 1.1.2 A well-equipped toolbox: the UN’s law .................................................... 42 many roles and functions .............. 11 3.1.3 The UN and the Law of the Sea .... 43 1.1.3 The shifting balance of power – 3.2 Human rights .................................
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights Information Bulletin, No. 75 Council of Europe
    Human ISSN 1608-9618 H/Inf (2009) 1 Rights Information Bulletin No. 75, July-October 2008 Building a Europe for and with Children – Towards a strategy for 2009-2011 9-10 October 2008, Strasbourg 10 October 2008: European Day 8-10 September 2008, Stockholm Conference “Enhancing the impact of against the Death Penalty. This Day is A Seminar was organised on the the Framework Convention: past held on 10 October of each year. As theme “Towards European guidelines experience, present achievements and from October 2008, it is organised on child-friendly justice” in the future challenges” celebrating the 10th jointly with the European Union. framework of the Conference anniversary of the Framework “Building a Europe for and with Convention for the protection of Children – Towards a strategy for national minorities. 2009-2011”. Human rights information bulletin No. 75, July-October 2008 The Human rights information bulletin is published three times a year This issue published January 2009. Date of next issue: April 2009. ISSN: by the Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, Council 1608-9618 (print edition) and 1608-7372 (electronic edition). Internet of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex. address: http://www.coe.int/justice/. Contents Treaties and conventions Signatures and ratifications . 4 European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber judgments . 5 I. v. Finland, 11 Cuc Pascu v. Romania, 19 Yumak and Sadak v. Turkey, 5 The Georgian Labour Party v. Georgia, 11 Bogumil v. Portugal, 19 Korbely v. Hungary, 7 Vladimir Romanov v. Russia, 13 Moiseyev v. Russia, 20 Kovačić and Others v. Slovenia, 8 Liberty & Other Organisations v.
    [Show full text]
  • H. Res. 1361 in the House of Representatives, U
    H. Res. 1361 In the House of Representatives, U. S., September 23, 2008. Whereas the United Nations is undertaking preparations for a 2009 Durban Review Conference on the implementa- tion of commitments made as part of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Afri- ca; Whereas the 2001 World Conference Against Racism marked an important recognition of the historic wounds caused by slavery, colonialism, and related ongoing racism and racial discrimination, including the recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, and that people of African descent, people of Asian de- scent, and indigenous peoples who were victims of these acts continue to face discrimination and marginalization as a direct consequence; Whereas the 2001 World Conference Against Racism also un- dertook historic efforts to recognize and address ongoing racism and racial discrimination against persons of Afri- can descent and members of Jewish, Muslim, caste, in- digenous, Roma and Sinti, and other communities, as well as anti-migrant xenophobia and incitement to racial and religious hatred; Whereas the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and its achievements were overshadowed and diminished as some 2 participants in the conference, in particular during the Non-Governmental Organization Forum, called the ‘‘NGO Forum Against Racism’’ (NGO Forum), misused human rights language to promote hate, anti-Semitism, incitement, and divert the focus of the conference from problems within their own countries to a focus on Israel; Whereas
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: General 30 October 2020
    United Nations A/75/561 General Assembly Distr.: General 30 October 2020 Original: English Seventy-fifth session Agenda item 70 (b) Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A global call for concrete action 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* Report of the Secretary-General Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 74/137, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit at its seventy-fifth session a report on the implementation of the resolution. In the report, the Secretary- General outlines examples of measures undertaken by Member States, the Durban follow-up mechanisms and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to counter racial discrimination. He concludes that stronger political will and more resolute action are needed to effectively tackle entrenched structural and systemic racism and racial discrimination. He recommends, inter alia, focusing on the root causes behind the current impact of racial disparities on groups and communities facing racism and racial discrimination. * The present report was submitted after the deadline in order to reflect recent developments. 20-14358 (E) 201120 *2014358* A/75/561 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 74/137, the General Assembly emphasized that millions of human beings continued to be victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including their contemporary forms and manifestations. It also reiterated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.
    [Show full text]
  • The 2009 Durban Review Conference
    The 2009 Durban Review Conference Geneva, 20­24 April 2009 FELIX KIRCHMEIER Durban Review Conference FES Report May 2009 Page 2 This was not a conference for Mahmoud the floor to countries hostile to human rights, Ahmadinejad, and no, he was not a guest of honor, foreclosing the possibility to setting the tone right. but a regular speaker in the UN conference’s high‐ The representative of the Inter Parliamentarian level segment, using a space that is available for Union commented this decision of some countries, any head of a UN member state, even if he stating that “their absence is a setback for the misused it for racist attacks against Israel, including victims of racism [… and] does not help create the denial of the Holocaust. better understanding and more tolerant societies”3 It also was not a “Durban II” but a review of the Paradoxically and unintended, the intolerable 2001 conference, which explicitly did not aim at speech of President Ahmadinejad might have been reopening or repeating the discussions held 7 ½ one reason for the swift and consensual adoption years ago. It was necessary and important because of the balanced outcome text of the conference. the problems addressed – racism, discrimination, Countries that might have wished for stronger xenophobia and intolerance – persist in almost words highlighting their own views or for the every country of the world. singling‐out of one particular conflict must have realized that the position of Iran, the “odd man Particularly at the outset, media as well as some out” 4 could not be followed and that a clear NGOs mostly reported the conference in another message against racism, racial discrimination and light – namely as a hate‐fest against Israel and a the incitement to hatred had to be sent by the manifestation of Islamist extremism.
    [Show full text]