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World Conference against Racism (r)



WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

This is the most important human rights event of 2001, and is directly relevant
to the situation in Burma. Racism as defined in Article 1(1) of the
International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is:

"Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour,
descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of
nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal
footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms; in the political, economic,
social, cultural or any other field of public life." 

The World Conference and the Asian regional meeting thus provide non-Burman
groups in particular with a highly visible platform to talk about
discrimination on ethnic and other grounds. 


CONFERENCE WEBSITE http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/index.htm

Contains documents on the Conference themes, application forms and info on 
how to get accreditation etc for the various meetings, which include: 
19-21 February 2001: Asian regional meeting, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran 

6-9 March Geneva, Switzerland, Inter-sessional open-ended working group
                                                  .
21 May-1 June Geneva, Switzerland, Second Session of the Preparatory Committee

31 Aug.-7 Sept. Durban, South Africa, World Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
  
                                                .
There is another website dealing with the World Conference, 
http://www.hri.ca/racism/ hosted by Human Rights Internet, 
which is a bit more NGO-friendly.