Tell President Obama to
Reverse the Boycott of the Durban Review Conference

May 20, 2013 Subject: Reverse the Boycott of Durban Conference on Racism Dear President Obama I am profoundly disturbed by the recent decision by the United States to boycott the upcoming Durban Review Conference, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, April 20-24, 2009. Sponsored by the United Nations, this international conference against racism is one of the most important international platforms for discussing the elimination of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances. Given the brutal history of slavery and the legacy of Jim Crow in the United States, President Obama's administration could have much to contribute to the Durban Review. A policy of engagement requires discussion with governments and institutions, even if one does not agree on all points. I support the positions of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) on the upcoming Durban Review Conference: WILPF calls for clear affirmation that the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans and African descendants constitute crimes against humanity. We call for the recognition of their right to compensation and for the creation of a Development Fund for peoples affected by colonialism. WILPF calls on the Durban Review to recognize the discrimination against the Palestinian people and affirm their right to self-determination as well as the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and receive compensation. WILPF calls for the affirmation of the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination. We call on all States to respect the cultures of indigenous peoples, their right to use their own languages and to have their own forms of organization. WILPF calls for international trade and financial arrangements that are based on equity and just economic relations to achieve genuine development, benefiting all peoples regardless of their race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or belief. We reject economic globalization based on a free-market economy ruled by transnational corporations and international banks. WILPF recognizes that migration, and particularly labor migration, is not a choice but a necessity for most migrants and their families in order to survive massive poverty, ethnic or gender-based violence, armed conflict, or displacement. States must adhere to international conventions when receiving migrants. WILPF calls on States to implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 21, 1965, as well as all other international human rights instruments pertaining to the elimination of discrimination, the protection of minorities and all other vulnerable groups. I urge the administration to reverse its earlier decision not to participate in the Durban Review Conference and instead to work with Non-Governmental Organizations and the press to ensure that the Conference deliberations inspire and inform our own national conversation on racism and xenophobia going forward. The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom works for Peace and Justice for all people worldwide. WILPF members and supporters were asked to send this letter to the President and to local and national media. Please visit http://www.wilpf.org for more information on WILPF's positions positions on Racial Justice and other issues. We will add your signature from the information you provide.		First Name* Last Name* Email* Street* Street 2 City* State/Province* Select a state Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces (the) Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other Zip/Postal Code* Send an Email Send a Fax
This letter was prepared and endorsed by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).  For more information on WILPF, please visit http://www.wilpf.org.