Addressing the Problems of Racial Discrimination at the UN Level: The ‘Post-Durban Mechanisms’ and Their Agenda

The 20th anniversary of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban in 2001, provides a good opportunity to look at the institutional arrangements undertaken to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as to study and assess state practice in this regard. This article discusses the activities of expert bodies and the intergovernmental forms of co-operation established after the Durban Conference in order to implement its conclusions and recommendations. The author notes that while the post-Durban developments in the area of counteracting racism are substantial, structural racism, racial injustice, inequality, and discrimination still constitute a disturbing threat to both human dignity and the basic values of the United Nations. It is argued that the 20th anniversary of the Durban Conference should induce states and other relevant stakeholders to reflect on – and reinforce – the UN’s action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.