In 2001, the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban, South Africa, adopted the historic Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), which establishes a comprehensive international framework for fighting discrimination and intolerance. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the DDPA, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance will devote her next thematic report to the General Assembly to highlighting the continuing relevance of the DDPA for fighting racial injustice and inequality. She also aims to highlight persisting challenges to its full implementation, and ways these challenges can be overcome within the United Nations, and at the regional, national and local levels.

Call for Written Submissions

Broad participation enhances the quality and usefulness of human rights reports. For this reason, the Special Rapporteur welcomes submissions from stakeholders who can share experience and knowledge that can inform her report.

The Special Rapporteur hopes to receive submissions from, among other stakeholders, States, social movement actors, civil society organizations, private companies, academics, policy researchers, and other relevant experts.

For this report, the Special Rapporteur would especially appreciate submissions that provide:

• Reflections highlighting the most important contributions of the DDPA to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
• Reflections from activists, academics, policymakers and others who were involved in mobilizations leading up to the DDPA, including lessons that could help strengthen contemporary transnational advocacy for racial justice;
• Information regarding the marginalization of the DDPA within the UN system, as well as examples of successful implementation of DDPA principles within the system;
• Information on the main challenges preventing integration of the DDPA into national legislation and policies, and measures adopted to overcome those challenges;
• Achievements and good practices in ensuring the effective implementation of the DDPA at the regional, national and local levels;  
• Information on the design, adoption and implementation of a national action plan combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. If possible, please provide a copy. Information on the main barriers preventing the design, adoption and implementation of such national actions plans; and
• Views on how the implementation and visibility of the DDPA can be amplified at the international level, including within the United Nations System.