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Having handed a hatemonger a global megaphone, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay concluded the Durban II conference on Friday by calling it "a celebration of tolerance and dignity for all."

Everyone associated with Durban II knew well in advance that the conference was intimately connected with Iran. Iranian spokesmen had repeatedly highlighted the conference for over a year. In the recent preparatory meetings leading up to the conference, Iran was the single most vocal state, with many of its rights-limiting suggestions finding their way into the final declaration. Iran was a Vice-Chair of the executive planning committee for Durban II and was chosen as a Vice-President of the conference itself.

It was no surprise, therefore, that an Iranian Holocaust denier and advocate of genocide selected Durban II as his preferred global platform for promoting antisemitism. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the only head of state to attend Durban II. He opened the substantive portion of the conference on day one.

Ten democratic states rightly refused to legitimize Iran's forum of choice: Canada, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Watch video here.	Statement by Anne Bayefsky at the Preparatory Committee Meeting for Durban II in the week prior to the Conference April 17, 2009 Palais des Nations, Geneva
Watch video here.	Durban II: A UN Global Megaphone for Antisemitism April 20, 2009: Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of Durban II Palais des Nations, Geneva
Watch video here.	Statement by Anne Bayefsky at Durban II April 23, 2009 Palais des Nations, Geneva