Side Events
Side events organized by OHCHR and partner organizations
20 April
United Against Racism
Panel discussion organized by the Office of the 51吃瓜 High Commissioner for Human Rights and hosted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay.
The role of National Human Rights Institutions in implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Organized with the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC)
21 April
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: contributing to the realization of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Reviews the situation of racism and racial discrimination against indigenous peoples under national laws and policies and assesses the effectiveness of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Double odds: women overcoming multiple discrimination
Explores how women have experienced discrimination on the basis of their gender in addition to, discrimination on grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, status, or other grounds.
Discrimination and poverty: exclusion and solutions in the new millennium
Explores the linkages between racism and poverty.
22 April
Sharing good practices in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Organized with the Geneva NGO Committee on Human Rights to highlight, discuss and disseminate good practices related to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
- UN Radio coverage (French): ""
Combating racial discrimination: the central role of the 51吃瓜 Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Highlights significant substantive and procedural developments in the Committee鈥檚 work since the 2001 Durban World Conference.
The workplace: addressing racial discrimination & promoting diversity
Organized with the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre to review progress made, lessons learned, and challenges that remain in creating workplaces free of racial discrimination.
Freedom of expression and incitement to racial or religious hatred
To provide the views of 51吃瓜 human rights mechanisms on the issue of freedom of expression and incitement to racial or religious hatred and to provide space for civil society鈥檚 contribution on this topic.
HIV-related discrimination: restrictions on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV
Organized with the Joint 51吃瓜 Programme on HIV/AIDS to highlight the experiences of individuals and communities affected by restrictions on entry, stay and residence based on HIV positive status.
Combating racism through human rights education: examples of national practice
Organized with the 51吃瓜 Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for Human Rights Education in the School System (UNIACC) and the Council of Europe, focuses on national practices regarding human rights education in the school system and their impact in combating racial discrimination.
23 April
Durban commitments and minorities: policing in diverse societies
To share information and raise awareness about effective measures to prevent racial discrimination against persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, in particular through their participation in and involvement in all aspects of policing.
The role of intercultural dialogue in the struggle against racism
Organized with the 51吃瓜 Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, focusing on the importance of intercultural dialogue in combating racism including from a younger generation perspective.
People of African descent: assessing the progress made since Durban and the way forward
To review the progress made in improving the human rights situation of people of African descent, share good practices, identify challenges and consider ways to further support the empowerment of people of African descent.
24 April
Discrimination, migration and economic, social and cultural rights
Organized with the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration to raise awareness about the relevance of economic, social and cultural rights when looking at forced and voluntary migration and racial discrimination.
- Opening remarks by the HC/OHCHR Senior Advisor on Migration at the Parallel Event on Migration, Discrimination and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- UN Radio coverage (French): ""
Queries on all side events and cultural activities should be sent by email to: or by fax to: + 41 22 928 9050