Inter-sessional open ended Intergovernmental Working Group of the Durban Review Conference Preparatory Committee

Joint Statement by the World Jewish Congress (WJC), the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Jewish Human Rights Coalition - UK and CBJO

Comments on Section 4

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The World Jewish Congress, the European Jewish Congress, the Jewish Human Rights Coalition - UK in conjunction with the Consultative Body of Jewish Organisations, are committed to the Durban Review Process and contributing to the successful and positive implementation of a global anti-racism framework.

We believe that sharing of and wider implementation of current best practices is a vital part of this process and can empower governments, international organisations, regional forums, NGOs and other civil society groups to eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination. It is of utmost importance that the Review Conference and its text will not only identify negative practices but will also propose positive action plans providing, means to encounter them. Whilst we welcome the developments contained in the current draft of section 4 of the text, we would like to discuss the exact content further.

The emphasis placed on sharing best practices in Section 4 is of extreme importance. However, placing examples of best practice on the OHCHR website does not go far enough and could be more effective.  As part of the implementation of the DDPA it is necessary to conduct further outreach particularly to NGOs who may have expert knowledge and practical experience of such initiatives. Furthermore, we must not forget the most significant stakeholder who can best guide us in this matter - victim groups themselves. Finally, our efforts will benefit from a wider dissemination mechanism of best practices that extends beyond website deposit, and that involve specific dissemination on international, regional and national levels.

We would like to highlight two examples which pertain to Jewish victims, who have suffered discrimination and anti-Semitism across the world and share some specific best practice for the consideration of the Durban Review Process. Firstly, one example following the Durban Conference of 2001 was the adoption by the UN General Assembly of an International Holocaust Commemoration Day, which takes place annually on January 27th. In certain parts of the world, this positive initiative has been used as an opportunity to not only honour the memory of the victims of this heinous crime but also work with other victim groups throughout the world, using the lessons of the Holocaust to fight against particular and contemporary phenomena of racism and discrimination.

Secondly, an example of national best practice that should be recognized by the Review Process and could provide a potential model for regional and international application in the future can be seen in the UK. Since April 2008 the police and prosecution, are mandated to record and publish all hate crimes disaggregated by major religious groups. Applying legal frameworks, there is continuous assessment of hate crime legislation by a committee of practitioners and lay representatives who report to the Attorney General. We recognise that such a best practise is also benefiting other victim groups of religious discrimination.

We hope that we will be able to reach a genuine and concrete anti-racist and anti-discrimination framework emphasising the importance of best practices sharing. We will comment tomorrow on section 1 of the text.