La mort de Bassem Abu Rahma, tué par l’arméeisraélienne le vendredi précédent la conférence, lors de la manifestationpacifique hebdomadaire du village, a plané sur toute la conférence. Ce jeunehomme de 30 ans était en quelque sorte l’âme de la jeunesse du village etparticipait chaque vendredi à la manifestation en insistant auprès de ses camaradessur son caractère non-violent. Ce grand gaillard que le village appelaitfamilièrement « El Phil » (l’éléphant) était très écouté et caillouxet lance-pierres restaient souvent dans les poches. L’émotion était vive etnous, ainsi que tous les participants, l’avons profondément ressentie.

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PEOPLE UNITED AGAINST RACISM

Civil Society Forum 2009 for the DurbanReview Conference
17-19 April 2009, Geneva, Switzerland

 Geneva 2009 Declaration Against Racism
FROM THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE GENEVACIVIL SOCIETY FORUM 2009

A Time to Speak Out

We commit ourselves to renew our efforts and intensifyour work for the implementation of the 2001 landmark programme which constitutea solid foundation in the struggle of humankind against racism and racialdiscrimination.

We express our deep concern over the decision by somepowerful countries to boycott this important conference which falls short oftheir Charter obligations to combat racism and promote human rights for all.

We are appalled by the many obstacles that have beenput in the way of preparing and holding of the Durban Review Conference as aresult of lack of political will resulting in the erosion of support for theDurban Declaration and Programme of Action among some member states which alsohas been reflected in the lack of United Nations support and encouragement forCivil Society preparations for the Review Conference.

Visit: http://israelreview.bdsmovement.net

United Against Racism, Dignity & Justice for All - is the slogan of theUnited Nations' Durban Review Conference to be held in Geneva between 20and 24 April 2009.

United Against Apartheid, Colonialism and Occupation, Dignity & Justicefor the Palestinian People - is the slogan of those who believe thatinternational law can and should become relevant for the people andgovernments in the Middle East.

The Israel Review Conference

The Israel Review Conference will take place in Geneva on 18 - 19 April,two days before the United Nations' Durban Review Conference will examine the progress made inimplementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA)adopted by the World Conference Against Racism (2001) and strengthen its recommendations.

The Israel Review Conference will bring together internationally renowned experts and actors for social and political justice who will:

• examine how the UN anti-racism instruments apply to Israel's policies and practices regarding the Palestinian people; and,
• develop practical recommendations on how to make Israel accountable to international law and protect the rights of the Palestinian people.

The second day of the conference will be reserved for self-organizedworkshops and planning meetings of the global Campaign for Boycott,Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies withinternational law.

IJANwill be organizing a panel on the Jewish National Fund campaign withHabitat International Coalition, the Scottish Palestine SolidarityCommittee and the Palestinian BNC as well as a panel with UnitedAgainst Racism on building joint struggle across grassroots movementsand Palestine liberation in the United States.

The Israel Review Conference is open to the public. It will be held atthe Hotel Le Grenil, Avenue Sainte-Clotilde 7, 1205 Geneva.

For more information, updates, and a detailed program of the conference, please visit:
http://israelreview.bdsmovement.net

The Israel-Review Conference is sponsored by the Palestinian Boycott,Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) in cooperation with the:

• European Coordinating Committee on Palestine (ECCP)
• International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)
• International Coordinating Network on Palestine (ICNP)

To contact the organizers, please write to: info@bdsmovement.net

To register online, visit: http://israelreview.bdsmovement.net/node/29

Note: The Israel Review Conference is open to the general public. Thepurpose of this registration is to help the organizers in planning forthe conference.

To contact the organizers, please write to: outreach@bdsmovement.net