BBC News Online: World

Durban hosts UN race conference

Europe 'to apologise for slavery'

European delegates at the United Nations anti-racism conference in Durban have agreed to apologise for the slave trade. In another sign of progress at the conference, Muslim states say they are prepared, reluctantly, to adopt a compromise text on racism in the Middle East.

 The BBC's David Loyn reports

Fresh move to end racism row

Arab states at a global racism conference in South Africa have rejected a compromise text on the Middle East aimed at preventing a walk-out by the European Union. The proposed draft called for recognition of the Palestinian people's plight, but had removed language that branded Israel a racist state.

 The BBC's David Loyn reports

USA and Israel walk out

The United States and Israeli delegations withdraw from the conference because of what they see as the gathering's "anti-Israel bias". The American Secretary of State, Colin Powell who had stayed away from the conference said the draft declaration contained "hateful language".

The BBC's David Loyn reports

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres

Demands for slave trade apology

Former colonial powers such as Britain and Spain face growing demands to apologise for the slave trade. Some African and black American representatives are also demanding reparations. For their part, European nations were split on issuing an apology for their role in slavery.

The BBC's David Loyn reports

The Revd Jesse Jackson calls for the UK to apologise for slavery

Background to the row over the slave trade

Conference opens with call for unity

After the pre-conference wrangling, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan sought to bring delegates together, saying they should look beyond their individual disputes and develop an international plan to combat prejudice. Outside on the streets of Durban, 10,000 people were demonstrating for a better world.

The BBC's Rageh Omaar reports

Kofi Annan's opening speech in full

The BBC's Rageh Omaar asks Kofi Annan what the conference can really achieve

Attacks on Zionism prompt US boycott

The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell pulled out of the conference, protesting at language deemed to be critical of Israel. Despite assurances that moves to equate zionism with racism will not be on the official agenda, the US remains unsatisfied and is represented at the conference only at junior level.

The BBC's Emma Jones reports

The BBC's Roger Hearing asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson if it was her impression that after such a long gestation period and with so many contentious problems, the run up to the conference seemed to have been a bit of a mess.

Click here to listen.

Slavery

Indigenous People

Post-apartheid South Africa

India's caste system

Slave trade

Everyone is happy to condemn slavery but African governments and human rights campaigners want to go further. Along with black Americans they want to see reparations for past exploitation.

The BBC's Rob Watson reports

Brazil is often seen as a country which manages racial harmony. But there is a growing movement among Brazilians of black descent which argues that they are barred from many priviliges enjoyed by those of European descent. At the centre of the movement are communities originally founded by former slaves.

The BBC's Tom Gibb reports

The BBC's Mike Fox reports

The BBC's Barnaby Phillips reports

The BBC's Jill McGivering reports