Media Statement on the Announcement of
the Venue for the World Conference Against Racism to be held in South Africa 31 August
– 7 September 2001
In 1997, the UN General Assembly decided to convene a
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
(WCR) by no later than 2001. The decision reflected growing concern about the rise
worldwide in the incidents of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance, and recognition of the challenges and prospects for combating these
phenomena.
The first World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination was held in Geneva in 1978, at the mid-point of the first Decade. The
second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva, 1
– 12 August 1983, reviewed and assessed the activities undertaken during the Decade
and formulated specific measures to ensure the implementation of United nations
instruments to eliminate racism, racial discrimination and apartheid.
Between 1973 and 2003, the UN designated three decades of
action to combat racism and racial discrimination and to ensure support to people
struggling for racial equality.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights approached South
Africa in 1999 to host the World Conference "on the understanding that the Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights will play a key role towards ensuring that adequate
funds are secured for this venture". In December 1999, the General Assembly welcomed
the offer by South Africa to host the conference.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce
that the World Conference will be held at the International Convention Centre in Durban.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRIVATE BAG X152
PRETORIA
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24th OCTOBER 2000
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