HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR INTENSIFIED EFFORTS AFTER UNITED STATES, ISRAEL LEAVE WORLD CONFERENCE

HR/4566
RD/947
3 September 2001


High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism Mary Robinson said tonight she regretted the decision by the United States and Israel to withdraw from the Durban meeting, but urged other delegations to persist in their endeavours for a "ringing endorsement of tolerance and respect for human dignity".

Mrs. Robinson reiterated that the texts adopted in Durban so far were constructive and that the hard work done during the long preparatory process was beginning to pay off.

"Countless people around the world have placed high hopes on this Conference", she said. "We owe it to them to work until the very last minute to have at the end of our meeting a ringing endorsement of tolerance and respect for human dignity".