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World Conf. Against Racism - Asian
- Subject: World Conf. Against Racism - Asian
- From: darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 09:32:00
>Envelope-to: darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx
>X-Mailer: Lotus Notes Release 5.0.2c (Intl) 2 February 2000
>X-MIMETrack: Serialize by Router on UNCHR1/UNCHR/UN(Release 5.0.4 |June 8,
> 2000) at 27/01/2001 05:11:14 PM
>Approved-By: Laurie Wiseberg <lwiseberg.hchr@xxxxxxx>
>Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 17:11:14 +0100
>Reply-To: "NGO list for the purpose of the WCR."
<OHCHR-NGO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sender: "NGO list for the purpose of the WCR."
<OHCHR-NGO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>From: Laurie Wiseberg <lwiseberg.hchr@xxxxxxx>
>Subject: Briefing Note 12 - On Tehran Asian Regional Meetings
>Comments: cc: OHCHR-World Conference Against Racism
> <OHCHR-World_Conference_Against_Racism.ch@xxxxxxx>
>To: OHCHR-NGO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Briefing Note 12 - On the Tehran Asian Regional Meetings
> 26 January 2001
>
>Friends:
>
>As regards the forthcoming Asian regional inter-Governmental meeting on the
>WCAR, to take place in Tehran from 19-21 February 2001, I would like to
>share the following information with you.
>
>(1) There will be a two day NGO Forum, 17-18 February 2001, immediately
> preceding the inter-Governmental conference. It is envisaged at this
> time that responsibility for logistical arrangements for the NGO Forum
> will be assumed by the Asian Committee of the International Movement
> Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), together with
> the Asian Steering Committee To contact IMADR, please note the
> following coordinates:
>
> IMADR Asia
> 14, Elliot Place
> Colombo 8
> Sri Lanka
>
> Tel. (941) 682 505; mobile (941) 717 999 20
> Fax (941) 682 505
> E-mail: <imadr@xxxxxx>
>
> (2) Information on the venue and hotels will shortly be provided by
> the Iranian Government and we will inform you accordingly.
>
> (3) In order to facilitate the issuance of visas, the Office of the
> High Commission for Human Rights will be submitting a list of all of
> those intending to go to the Tehran meetings to the Permanent Mission
> of Iran to the United Nations Office in Geneva on 31 January 2001. A
> supplemental list will be submitted on 6 February. That will be the
> LAST DATE for submission of names of NGO representatives to the
> Iranian mission. Therefore, NGOs that intend to participate in the
> NGO Forum and the Tehran inter-Governmental Asian meeting must
> immediately send us the names of the individuals who will represent
> them at these meetings.
>
> Send this information by fax or e-mail to:
>
> NGO Liaison WCAR
> Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
> Palais Wilson
> Fax. (41-22) 917-9050
> E-mail: lwiseberg.hchr@xxxxxxx
>
> (4) Please note that NGOs wishing to attend the Tehran meetings must
> fall into one of the following categories:
>
> a. The NGO has consultative status with ECOSOC;
> b. The NGO is an indigenous organization with standing under ECOSOC
> resolution 1995/32;
> c. The NGO has been accredited to the World Conference process in
> accordance with ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 and the decision of the
> first session of the Preparatory Committee.
>
> Any other NGO wishing to participate in the Tehran Governmental
> meeting may request that the Asian group accredit them by providing
> the Secretariat of the World Conference with a completed application
> form (attached). Such accreditation, if accorded, would only be for
> the Tehran meeting, not for the World Conference itself.
>
> Please also note that member States of the Asian group may wish to
> review the names of all NGOs wishing to attend the Tehran meeting,
> including those in categories a, b, and c above, and may wish to make
> comments about their participation.
>
>(5) The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran has provided us
> with the following "Provisional Agenda" for the Regional
> Inter-Governmental Preparatory Meeting for Asia:
>
> 1. Opening of the session.
> 2. Election of officers.
> 3. Adoption of agenda and rules of procedure.
> 4. Organization of work, including the establishment of a
> credentials committee.
> 5. Sources, causes, forms and contemporary manifestations of racism,
> racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
> 6. Victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
> intolerance.
> 7. Measures of prevention, education and protection aimed at the
> eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
> related intolerance, at national, regional and international
> levels.
> 8. Provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress, compensatory
> and other measures at the national, regional and international
> levels.
> 9. Strategies to achieve full and effective equality, including
> international cooperation and enhancement of the UN and other
> international mechanisms in combatting racism, racial
> discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and
> follow-up.
> 10. Adoption of report and the final outcome of the Session.
>
> (6) The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran has also
> provided us with the following information on the "Conduct of
> Business" for the inter-Governmental Tehran meeting.
>
> Conduct of Business
>
> (I) Rules of Procedure:
>
> The rules of procedure of the Functional Commissions of the Economic
> and Social Council is applicable for the Asian Regional Preparatory
> Meeting, bearing in mind the decision adopted by the Asian Group
> concerning the participation of representatives of non-governmental
> organizations at the regional meeting in Asia.
>
> (II) Duration and frequency of statements and right of reply:
> Members: one statement of 10 minutes or two statements of 5 minutes
> per item;
> All observers including Governments (non-members of Asian Group): one
> statement of 5 minutes per item;
> A Joint Statement produced by the NGOs meeting might be delivered in
> the Conference closing session;
> Special Rapporteurs, independent experts and chairpersons of working
> groups: 10 minutes;
> Dignitaries: up to 15 minutes;
> Rights of Reply: Limited to two replies, 3 minutes for the first and
> 2 minutes for the second;
> All rights of reply will be exercised at the end of the normal
> working day or at the end of the general debate on any particular
> item.
> (III) List of speakers:
> The list is opened at the beginning of the session for all
> participants for the inscription on all agenda items;
> Speakers are inscribed on two separate lists: for members and for
> observers;
> If the list of speakers has not been exhausted during a particular
> meeting, the remaining speakers will be given the floor, in the
> same order, as the first speakers at the next meeting;
> The closure of the list of speakers on any particular item is
> announced by the chair in good time.
>
> Annex: Participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the
> Asian Inter-Governmental Preparatory Meeting
>
> The modalities of participation of NGOs in meetings have been
> addressed in resolution 1996/31. This resolution also sets out a
> special procedures for non-ECOSOC accredited NGOs to request
> accreditation to participate in the preparatory process of
> international conferences convened by the United Nations.
>
> The accreditation of regional non-governmental organizations
>
> The mechanism established by Economic and Social Council resolution
> 1996/31 is the framework for accreditation of non-governmental
> organizations;
> Asian regional non-governmental organizations not in consultative
> status with the Economic and Social Council can be accredited and
> can participate in the Asian Preparatory Meeting in Tehran;
> The Asian Group in Geneva will act for the Asian Preparatory Meeting
> to accredit non-governmental organizations in the period before
> the Tehran meeting;
> The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will continue to
> review all applications received to ensure that they meet the
> requirements set in Economic and Social Council resolution
> 1996/97;
> Periodically, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
> will compile a list of those non-governmental organizations
> seeking accreditation which have met the requirements specified
> in Council resolution 1996/31;
> the Secretariat will circulate these lists to all members of the
> Asian Group with Note Verbale, giving the Member Governments 10
> days to make any comments on the applications;
> In the event that a Member Government raises questions concerning the
> accreditation of a non-governmental organization, the final
> decision in those cases shall be taken by the Asian Group.
>
>(7) Finally, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran has
> provided us with the following Information for Participants:
>
> INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
>
>1- GENERAL INFORMATION
>
> 1. The Asian Regional Preparatory Conference for the World
> Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
> Related Intolerance will be held from 19 to 21 February 2001.
>
> 2. The inaugural session will be held on Monday, 19 February 2001, in
> the Conference Center of Tehran.
>
>1.2- REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION BADGES
>
> 1. Participants are required to register and obtain meeting badges in
> advance of the opening of the session. In this connection,
> registration will be open between 9 am and 6 pm on Sunday, 18 February
> at the registration counter at the following address:
>
> 2. For identification and security reasons, all participants are
> requested to wear the badges at all times during the meetings and at
> social functions.
>
>1.3- CONTACT PERSONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
>
> The following persons have been designated for pre-conference
> communications and consultations:
>
> Mr. Seyed Hossein Rezvani
> Head of the Organizing Committee
> Ministry of Foreign Affairs
> Tel: (9821) 321 2680
> Fax: (9821) 390 1999
> e-mail: Teh_rpm@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> Mr. Farbad Mamdohi
> Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee
> Tel. (9821) 321 2682
> Fax. (9821) 390 1999
>
> Also, participants can contact the Permanent Mission of the Islamic
> Republic of Iran in Geneva at the following numbers:
>
> Tel. (41-22) 733 9435
> Fax. (41-22) 733 0203
>
>1.4- VISA REQUIREMENTS
>
> 1. Nationals of the following countries with diplomatic or service
> passport do not require a visa for travelling to the Islamic Republic
> of Iran up to 30 days:
>
> 1. Armenia 2. Bulgaria
> 3. Azerbaijan 4. Turkmenistan
> 5. Ukraine 6. Tadjikistan
> 7. Brunei 8. China
> 9. Russia 10. Romania
> 11. Switzerland 12. Kazakhstan
> 13. Kyrgyzstan 14. Colombia
> 15. North Korea 16. Cuba
> 17. Poland 18. Hungary
> 19. Moldova 20. Vietnam
> 21. Venezuela
>
> 2. Nationals of the following countries with diplomatic or service
> passport do not require a visa for travelling to the Islamic Republic
> of Iran up to 90 days:
>
> 1. Bosnia 2. Pakistan
> 3. Turkey (also for ordinary passports)
> 4. Japan 5. Saudi Arabia
> 6. Cyprus 7. South Korea
> 8. Croatia
>
> 3. For nationals of Singapore and Malaysia, the visa for two weeks
> will be issued upon arrival.
>
> 4. Participants from countries other than those listed above and
> those with ordinary passports are required to obtain appropriate entry
> visas from the Islamic Republic of Iran diplomatic or consular
> missions at the point of origin or en route prior to entering the
> Islamic Republic of Iran.
>
> 5. Issuance of the visas will take 15 days.
>
> 6. For nationals of the USA, the issuance of visas will take at least
> 21 days.
>
>1.5- WEATHER
>
> The average temperature in Tehran during the month of February varies
> between 2° and 10°C. Winter clothes, including overcoat, are
> recommended.
>
>1.6- CURRENCY
>
> 1. Iranian currency is called the Rial. The present exchange rates,
> which fluctuate from time to time, are approximately as follows: Us$ 1
> = Rial 8000 - coins of 10,20,50,100 Rials and bank notes of 200, 500,
> 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 Rials are available.
>
> 2. Banks and hotels only accept Master cards. Therefore it is
> recommended that participants bring enough cash with them to cover
> their expenses. Travellers cheques are not acceptable. Banks are
> normally open on Saturday-Wednesday, 7:30 am-1:30 pm and Thursdays,
> 7:30 am-11:30 am. Banks are closed on Fridays.
>
> 3. Participants may be required to declare the amount of money in
> their possession on arrival at the Tehran Mehrabad Airport, but there
> is no limit on the amount they bring.
>
>1.7- AIRLINE RESERVATIONS
>
> 1. A number of international airlines operate regular services to
> Tehran; participants are expected to secure their return bookings
> prior to their departure from Tehran.
>
>1.8- INFORMATION FOR ARRIVAL AND SETTLEMENT
>
> 1. Accommodation
>
> The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged for special discount
> rates to be granted by two hotels in close proximity to the conference
> center for delegations attending the conference. In order to confirm
> their reservations and finalize their preparations, delegates are
> requested to fax the necessary information, including the size of
> their delegation, their flight schedule, the date of their arrival and
> whether they wish to be accommodated in one of our proposed hotels,
> before 9 Feb. 2001.
>
> In the event that some delegations may wish to reserve rooms in other
> hotels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can provide information on
> alternative accommodation in Tehran.
>
> 2. Reception at the airport
>
> The necessary arrangements have been made for delegates at the Tehran
> International Airport to facilitate their arrival and entry into the
> country. Airport taxis (white and green) are available at a
> reasonable rate.
>
>
>1.9- ELECTRICITY
>
> Electric current in Iran is 220 volts and 50 cycles (HZ).
>
>1.10- WATER
>
> Tap water is safe to drink in all areas of Tehran.
>
>1.11- TIME DIFFERENCE
>
> During autumn and winter, the time in Iran is three and a half hours
> ahead of G.M.T.
>
>1.12- SERVICES
>
> Telephone, fax and internet services are available at the conference
> center. Users of these facilities will be charged
>
> ***********
>NGOs Wishing to Attend the Tehran Inter-Governmental Meeting that are not
>yet accredited to the World Conference process should fill out the
>following questionnaire.
>
>
> Accreditation for NGOs not having consultative status for the World
>Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
>Intolerance and the sessions of its Preparatory Committee
>
> The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia
>and Related Intolerance is scheduled to be held from 31 August to 7
>September 2001 in South Africa. The first session of the Preparatory
>Committee for the World Conference took place at the Palais des Nations in
>Geneva from 1 to 5 May 2000, immediately following the fifty-sixth session
>of the Commission on Human Rights. The second and final session will be
>held in May 2001, following the fifty-seventh session of the Commission.
>
> In its resolution 54/154, the General Assembly decided that the World
>Conference and the sessions of the Preparatory Committee should be open to
>the participation of, among others, Ainterested non-governmental
>organizations, which shall be represented by observers in accordance with
>Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996". Part VII
>of Council resolution 1996/31 governs participation of NGOs in
>international conferences convened by the United Nations and their
>preparatory processes. NGOs not in consultative status may apply to the
>secretariat of the conference for accreditation, sending its replies to the
>following questionnaire:
>
> Name of Organization:
> ___________________________________________________________________
>
> Mailing Address of Organization:
> ____________________________________________________________
>
> _____________________________________________________________
>
>
> Telephone Number: Country Code ________ City Code ______ Number
>
> Fax Number: Country Code ________ City Code ______
>Number
>
> E-mail Address: ________________________________________________
>
> Website address: (if relevant)
>__________________________________________
>
> Contact: Name of the person filling out this questionnaire:
>
>
>____________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> (a) What is the purpose of your organization?
>
>
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> (b) What are the activities and programmes of your organization that
>relate to the conference and its preparations, and what is the country or
>countries in which the activities take place? If your NGO wishes to be
>accredited, you will need to confirm your interest in the goals and
>objectives of the conference (General Assembly resolution 52/111 paragraph
>28, see annex).
>
>
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> (c) What are the main activities of your organization, at the
>national, regional, and international level?
>
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> (d) Please describe the membership of your organization indicating the
>total number of members, the names of organizations that are members of
>your organization and their geographical distribution.
>
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>(e) Please provide us with the following documentation:
>
> i) The constitution, and/or by-laws of your organization;
>
> ii) A copy of your most recent report or other reports of the
> organization with financial statements and a list of financial sources
> and contributions, including contributions from governments;
>
> iii) A list of the members of the governing body of your organization
> and their countries of nationality.
>
>
> The secretariat shall circulate periodically to Member States a list
>of the applications received, and Member States may submit comments within
>14 days on any NGO on the list. The comments will be transmitted to the
>NGO concerned, which shall have the opportunity to respond. If, on the
>basis of the information provided, the secretariat considers that the NGO
>has established its competence and the relevance of its activities to the
>conference, it shall recommend to the preparatory committee that the NGO be
>accredited. Accreditation by the preparatory committee extends to the
>conference itself. In cases where the secretariat decides not to recommend
>accreditation, it shall explain its reasons to the preparatory committee
>and the NGO concerned, and the NGO shall again have an opportunity to
>respond.
>
> Send this information to:
>
> Ms. Sandra Aragón-Parriaux
> Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
> Palais des Nations
> Room PW-RS181
> 1211 Geneva 10
> Switzerland
> Fax: (41-22) 917.9050
> e-mail: saragon.hchr@xxxxxxx
>
> An alternative method of participation is for non-accredited NGOs to
>affiliate themselves with an NGO in consultative status. The list of these
>NGOs may be found on the Web site of the United Nations Office at Geneva,
>www.unog.ch - click on AThe UN and the NGOs@ - or by contacting Ms.
>Raymonde Martineau, NGO Liaison Officer, Palais des Nations, Room 153,
>telephone (41-22) 917.2127, fax (41-22) 917.0583.
>
> Information about the World Conference can be found on the OHCHR Web
>site, www.unhchr.ch.
>
> ANNEX
>
>
> In paragraph 28 of resolution 52/111, adopted on 12 December 1997, the
>General Assembly decided Ato convene a World Conference against Racism,
>Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, whose main
>objectives will be:
>
> (a) To review progress made in the fight against racism, racial
>discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in particular since the
>adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to reappraise
>the obstacles to further progress in the field and ways to overcome them;
>
> (b) To consider ways and means to better ensure the application of
>existing standards and the implementation of the existing instruments to
>combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
>
> (c) To increase the level of awareness about the scourges of racism
>and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
>
> (d) To formulate concrete recommendations on ways to increase the
>effectiveness of the activities and mechanisms of the United Nations
>through programmes aimed at combating racism, racial discrimination,
>xenophobia and related intolerance;
>
> (e) To review the political, historical, economic, social, cultural
>and other factors leading to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
>related intolerance;
>
> (f) To formulate concrete recommendations to further action-oriented
>national, regional and international measures to combat all forms of
>racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
>
> (g) To draw up concrete recommendations for ensuring that the United
>Nations has the financial and other necessary resources for its actions to
>combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.@
>