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• Open CRS (User submitted)
• U.S. Department of State

Summary

In April 2009, U.N. member states will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for the U.N. Durban Review Conference Against Racism (Review Conference) to examine possible progress made since the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), held in Durban, South Africa. At WCAR, participating governments, including the United States, sought to recommend ways for the international community to address racism. The United States withdrew from WCAR because of what it viewed as participating governments' disproportionate focus on Israel as a perpetrator of racism and intolerance in the Middle East. The George W. Bush Administration has not participated in Review Conference preparations and voted against U.N. resolutions supporting or funding the Conference because of concerns that it may repeat the perceived mistakes of WCAR. The Administration has stopped short of announcing it will boycott the Conference, likely recognizing that a new Administration will make the final decision on U.S. participation. Canada and Israel announced that they will boycott the Review Conference, and other governments announced they will not participate unless it is demonstrated that the Review Conference will not target Israel. Congressional perspectives on U.S. participation in the Review Conference vary. Some Members of the 110th Congress have introduced legislation supporting U.S. participation in the Conference, arguing that the United States should play an active role in combating international racism. (See, for example, H.Res. 1361). Other Members contend that the United States should not participate or fund the Conference because of WCAR's focus on Israel. (See S.Amdt. 4264 to S.Con.Res. 70.) Specifically, they propose that the United States withhold a proportionate share of its U.N. assessed contributions that fund the Conference. Because assessed contributions finance the U.N. regular budget in its entirety and not specific parts of it, withholding funds in this manner would not affect the Review Conference. For many, U.S. participation or non-participation in the Review Conference touches on the broader issue of U.S. engagement in the U.N. system. Supporters contend that U.S. participation in U.N. efforts such as the Review Conference is important to the success and credibility of the United Nations as a whole. Opponents maintain that U.S. engagement in the Conference would give undeserved legitimacy to U.N. mechanisms that provide a platform for member states to target Israel. This report provides information on the 2001 World Conference Against Racism and the circumstances of U.S. withdrawal. It discusses preparations for the Durban Review Conference, including U.S. policy and reaction from other governments. It highlights possible issues for the 111th Congress, including the Review Conference preparatory process, U.S. funding of the Conference, and the political and diplomatic impact of U.S. engagement. For related information, see CRS Report RL33611, United Nations System Funding: Issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant.

Related Legislation:
• H.RES.1361
• S.CON.RES.70

Related Reports:
• RL34754

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