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

Following First Meeting (Geneva, 16 to 18 September)


1. The Independent Eminent Experts, appointed by the Secretary-General, in line with the Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, met in Geneva from 16 to 18 September 2003.

2. The mandate of the Independent Eminent Experts is “to follow the implementation of the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action” (Programme of Action, para. 191 b). In conformity with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/30, the work of the Independent Eminent Experts is, inter alia, “to assist the High Commissioner for Human Rights in preparing his annual progress report” to the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights; and “to assist the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the assessment and evaluation of existing international standards and instruments to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance with a view to preparing complementary standards” (para. 21).

3. The Independent Eminent Experts had a detailed exchange of views with a variety of stakeholders, including representatives of States, United Nations bodies and agencies, and representatives of civil society; and worked closely with the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights.

4. The Experts emphasized, inter alia, the following issues:

a) The Experts were convinced that their work should follow a humanitarian vision based on an “ethic of human solidarity”. The Experts stressed the centrality of human dignity, respect for diversity and the importance of effective measures for the protection of civilians. They concluded that their future activities in cooperating with the High Commissioner for Human Rights would be carried out within the matrix of a shared humanitarian vision, which takes into account existing vulnerabilities of groups, communities and other stakeholders.

b) The Experts paid special attention to the possible linkages between racial discrimination, xenophobia and terrorism. They underlined the importance of the principle of non-discrimination in countering terrorism and strict adherence to the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

c) The Experts considered that awareness-raising and access to education are crucial in the struggle against discrimination, and urged stakeholders in the process to take this into account in their future implementation efforts.

d) The Experts were also convinced that access to justice is important, in particular for those who have historically suffered from racial discrimination.

e) The Experts emphasized the need for the elaboration and implementation of national plans of action relating to the struggle against discrimination, and encouraged States to complete these plans with meaningful participation from national human rights institutions and civil society.

f) The Experts recommended that the international community find ways of measuring existing racial inequalities. A possible way to achieve this could be through the development of a “Racial Equality Index”, similar to the “Human Development Index” developed and used by the United Nations Development Programme.

g) The Experts emphasized the importance of engaging civil society, inter alia, through their good offices by networking and by mobilizing diverse caucuses through a trans-disciplinary approach.

h) The Experts stressed the importance of promoting a “culture of compliance” to help bridge the gaps between international legislation, resolutions and decisions, as well as their implementation in relation to the realities on the ground.

i) The Experts recognized that the eradication of poverty is vital to the elimination of all forms of discrimination and concluded that greater efforts must be made by the international community to provide sufficient resources to this end.

j) The Experts emphasized that the media has an ethical responsibility in the struggle against discrimination, and has a central role to play in awareness-raising.

k) The Experts underlined the importance of involving young people in combating racism and intolerance, and recommended that special efforts be made to facilitate their participation in the follow-up process.

l) The Experts stressed the central role of the international legal framework, and encouraged the universal ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Experts appealed to State Parties to the Convention to fully apply its provisions, and in this respect take into account the anti-discrimination agenda adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in fulfilling their obligations.


m) On the issue of updating international standards, the Experts indicated that a study on this subject would be useful in facilitating their consideration of this issue, keeping in mind the deliberations of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

5. The Experts expressed their conviction that the fight against racial discrimination has been a core mandate of the United Nations since its founding. Despite progress and efforts being made by the international community, much remains to be done. In this regard, the Experts took note of the fact that there is a universal will to overcome racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance despite differences of view on strategies and tactics. The Experts appealed to all States to take concerted action to find common ground in this global endeavor.