A/56/253
IV. Report on cooperation with the Commission on Human
Rights, United Nations human rights mechanisms,
specialized agencies of the United Nations system and
non-governmental organizations
A.
1.
Follow-up to Commission on Human Rights initiatives
Contribution to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
131. Pursuant to relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights
(resolutions 1999/78, 2000/14 and 2001/5 on racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, 1999/39 and 2000/33 on the implementation of
the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination
Based on Religion or Belief and 2001/42 on the Elimination of All Forms of
Religious Intolerance), the Special Rapporteur was invited to participate actively in
the preparatory process for the World Conference against Racism, firstly by
formulating recommendations concerning religious intolerance that would have a
bearing on the Conference and, secondly, by initiating studies.
132. Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur submitted to the Preparatory Committee
for the World Conference at is first session (1-5 May 2000) a study entitled “Racial
discrimination and religious discrimination: identification and measures”.6 A second
study entitled “Racial discrimination, religious intolerance and education”7 was
submitted to the Preparatory Committee at its second session (21 May-1 June 2001).
In these two studies,8 the Special Rapporteur made concrete and specific
recommendations, including in the area of prevention.
133. In its resolution 2001/42, the Commission on Human Rights noted that the
Special Rapporteur had undertaken two separate studies on religious discrimination
and racism as a valuable input to the preparatory process for the World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and
suggested that his recommendations on religious intolerance which had a bearing on
the World Conference be considered during the preparatory process for the World
Conference.
134. The Special Rapporteur will also make a contribution at the World Conference
itself. It should also be stressed that as agreed with the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, the conference on school education in relation to freedom of religion
and belief, tolerance and non-discrimination will provide follow-up to the Durban
Conference.
2.
Follow-up to resolutions on defamation
135. In 1999, the Commission on Human Rights, pursuant to its resolution 1999/82
on defamation of religions, expressed deep concern at negative stereotyping of
religions and at the fact that Islam was frequently and wrongly associated with
human rights violations and with terrorism, emphasizing the role of the media with
regard to such phenomena. The Commission on Human Rights accordingly called
upon the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance to take into account the
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