[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

World Conf. Against Racism - Asian



>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?
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>.......................................................................
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>
>     (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).
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     (c)  What  are  the  main  activities  of  your  organization,  at the
>national, regional, and international level?
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>
>     (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.
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>     
>............................................................................
>......................................................................
>
>
>(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.@
>