The United Nations Conference on the review of the Declaration and
Action Plan adopted in Durban (South Africa - 2001) on racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance is taking place against
the background of a profound financial crisis with catastrophic consequences
on the living and working conditions of millions of workers. The loss of
jobs, which according to the ILO will amount to 24 to 52 million additional
unemployed people worldwide, can only lead to even greater poverty, wider
differences, fiercer competition and deeper divisions between workers. The
economic and financial crisis will be bound to amplify the damaging effects
of racism and xenophobia...