{ "id": "RL34754", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL34754", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 347284, "date": "2009-04-06", "retrieved": "2016-04-07T02:36:26.642382", "title": "The 2009 U.N. Durban Review Conference: Follow-Up to the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism", "summary": "In April 2009, U.N. member states will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for the U.N. Durban Review Conference Against Racism (Review Conference) to examine possible progress made since the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), held in Durban, South Africa. At WCAR, participating governments, including the United States, sought to recommend ways for the international community to address racism. The United States withdrew from WCAR because of what it viewed as participating governments\u2019 disproportionate focus on Israel as a perpetrator of racism and intolerance in the Middle East.\nThe George W. Bush Administration did not participate in Review Conference preparations and voted against U.N. resolutions supporting or funding the Conference because of concerns that it may repeat the perceived mistakes of WCAR. In February 2009, the Barack Obama Administration announced that it would send a delegation to the Review Conference consultations. Based on its observations, the Administration concluded that it would not participate in further negotiations due primarily to the draft outcome document\u2019s focus on Israel. It stated that it remained open to re-engaging in negotiations if a draft document appeared to take a \u201cconstructive approach\u201d to addressing racism and discrimination. Canada, Israel, and Italy announced that they will boycott the Review Conference, and other governments announced they will not participate unless it is demonstrated that the Review Conference will not target Israel.\nCongressional perspectives on U.S. participation in the Review Conference vary. Some Members of Congress have introduced legislation supporting U.S. participation in the Conference, arguing that the United States should play an active role in combating international racism. Other Members contend that the United States should not participate or fund the Conference because of WCAR\u2019s focus on Israel. Specifically, they propose that the United States withhold a proportionate share of its U.N. assessed contributions that fund the Conference. Because assessed contributions finance the U.N. regular budget in its entirety and not specific parts of it, withholding funds in this manner would not affect the Review Conference.\nFor many, U.S. participation or non-participation in the Review Conference touches on the broader issue of U.S. engagement in the U.N. system. Supporters contend that U.S. participation in U.N. efforts such as the Review Conference is important to the success and credibility of the United Nations as a whole. Opponents maintain that U.S. engagement in the Conference would give undeserved legitimacy to U.N. mechanisms that provide a platform for member states to target Israel.\nThis report provides information on the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and the circumstances of U.S. withdrawal. It discusses preparations for the Durban Review Conference, including U.S. policy and reaction from other governments. It also highlights possible issues for the 111th Congress, including the Review Conference preparatory process, U.S. funding of the Conference, and the political and diplomatic impact of U.S. engagement. For related information, see CRS Report RL33611, United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues, by Marjorie Ann Browne and Kennon H. Nakamura. This report will be updated as events warrant.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL34754", "sha1": "6fc54b6559767f5314b760c6ef5c7cb6f05fd6d8", "filename": "files/20090406_RL34754_6fc54b6559767f5314b760c6ef5c7cb6f05fd6d8.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL34754", "sha1": "20f72494343ca7e0d62cafabce05d7ac787de3e7", "filename": "files/20090406_RL34754_20f72494343ca7e0d62cafabce05d7ac787de3e7.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc26291/", "id": "RL34754_2008Nov20", "date": "2008-11-20", "retrieved": "2010-07-07T17:39:19", "title": "The 2009 U.N. Durban Review Conference: Follow-Up to the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism", "summary": "This report provides information on the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and the circumstances of U.S. withdrawal. It discusses preparations for the Durban Review Conference, including U.S. policy and reaction from other governments. It highlights possible issues for the 111th Congress, including the Review Conference preparatory process, U.S. funding of the Conference, and the political and diplomatic impact of U.S. engagement.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20081120_RL34754_119e4f65bca33ac5f823af3c2a8c7dda8cc39629.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20081120_RL34754_119e4f65bca33ac5f823af3c2a8c7dda8cc39629.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Civil rights", "name": "Civil rights" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Racism", "name": "Racism" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Communications", "name": "Communications" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Conferences", "name": "Conferences" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "International affairs", "name": "International affairs" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "United Nations", "name": "United Nations" } ] } ], "topics": [ "Foreign Affairs" ] }