SOUTH ASIA HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTATION CENTRE

(SAHRDC is the Secretariat of the Asia Pacific Human Rights Network)

(SAHRDC has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations

Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC])

B-6/6, Safdarjung Enclave Extension, New Delhi - 110029, India

Phone: +91-11-619 2717, 619 2706, 619 1120

Fax : +91-11-6191120

Email: rnairsahrdc@hotmail.com

Home Page: http://www.hri.ca/partners/sahrdc/

1 August 2000

Dear Friend/s,

Our three organisations Human Rights Documentation Centre (HRDC), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) have formed a coalition to conduct joint projects in relation to the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR). We are writing to introduce you to our first project, WCAR Think Papers, and to bring the work of our coalition to your attention as activities are planned for the WCAR preparatory process and for the conference itself.

Drawing on our various organisational strengths, we believe WCAR Think Papers will introduce a critical perspective into the dialogue on the WCAR. Each month, we will disseminate a new WCAR Think Paper. Each paper is intended to be a work in process. We hope to receive comments and suggestions from recipients and to improve our ideas before releasing the papers in the form of a single publication.

SAHRDC is responsible for programme management of our coalition’s activities on the WCAR. Therefore, please direct all correspondence concerning such matters to Mr. Ravi Nair, Executive Director of SAHRDC, at the contact information provided above. HRDC serves as the research centre for the coalition’s activities. Accordingly, please direct correspondence regarding papers and other publications to Mr. Ryan Goodman, Research Director of the WCAR Project (rgoodman@hrdc.net).

With respectful regards,

Ravi Nair

Executive Director, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre

Ryan Goodman

Human Rights Documentation Centre, Research Director of the WCAR Project

Adrien-Claude Zoller

Director, International Service for Human Rights