At the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban in 2001, governments committed themselves to take a number of practical measures against racism. A general review of these commitments is to take place at a United Nations Conference in Geneva in late April 2009. Known as the Durban Review, the planned conference has been the focus of fierce controversy. To contribute towards a better understanding of the situation, the present paper will discuss some of the background and history behind the dispute. While the German Institute for Human Rights is aware of the problems and risks involved in taking part in the conference, the Institute nevertheless recommends EU member states to participate in the Durban Review process.
