Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Establishment and purpose

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), held in Durban, South Africa. Paragraph 191 (b) of the Durban Programme of Action “requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in follow-up to the Conference, to cooperate with five independent eminent experts, one from each region, appointed by the Secretary-General from among candidates proposed by the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, after consultation with the regional groups, to follow the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration and Programme of Action.”

In 2002, the General Assembly adopted resolution 56/266 where it requested “the Secretary-General, in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, to appoint five independent eminent experts, one from each region, from among candidates proposed by the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, after consultation with the regional groups, to follow the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration and Programme of Action”.

The same year, the Commission on Human Rights defined the terms of reference of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts in its resolution 2002/68. The Commission also decided to keep the mandate of the independent eminent experts under constant review. The Commission re-adjusted these terms of reference in 2003 through resolution 2003/30.

In its resolution 51/32 of 2022, the Human Rights Council decided that the Group of Independent Eminent Experts would 1) function as an advisory mechanism for the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and 2) work towards mobilizing global political will for concrete action to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Read more about the mandate of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts. 

The Group of Independent Eminent Experts meets regularly to examine progress in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and presents reports on its sessions (see Sessions and reports).