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16 February 2001







Government delegates, human rights experts and non-governmental organizations from Asia will gather in Teheran, Iran, from 19 to 21 February to define their common regional position in preparation for the World Conference against Racism, Xenophobia, Racial Discrimination and Related Intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September.

A high-level representative of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will address the opening session of the conference. The Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, will make an opening statement.

The High Commissioner will emphasize that no country or region can claim to be free from racism. Racism, xenophobia and intolerance are pervasive problems which must be recognized and addressed. The High Commissioner will draw attention to issues of migration and the problem of trafficking in human beings which have direct links to racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Mrs Robinson will call for improved regional and global cooperation to combat all forms of racism and racial discrimination.

The Tehran meeting will consider and adopt a declaration and plan of action. The drafts of these documents were prepared by Member States belonging to the Asian group in Geneva.

More information on the World Conference against Racism can be found on the Internet at: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/index.ht
Fax: + 4122 917 9050 E-mail: tshiawlk.hchr@unog.ch.



* *** * or contact: Teferra Shiawl-Kidanekal,