Organización de los Estados Americanos Organização dos Estados Americanos Organisation des Etats Américains Organization of American States 17th and Constitution Ave., N.W. • Washington, D.C. 20006

October , 2006

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Working Group of the Comunittee on Juridical and Political Affairs (CAJP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) entrusted with preparing a Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance.

On April 18, 2006, the Chair of the Working Group presented the "Preliminary Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance" (CP/CAJP-2357/06), noted that it was based on the inputs received during Working Group meetings from member states, civil society representatives, United Nations experts, and OAS organs, agencies, and entities, as well as from regional and international organizations, and expressed the hope that it would serve as a basis for the negotiations on a future Convention.

For its part, in resolution AG/RES. 2168 (XXXVI-0/06), "Combating Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance and Consideration of the Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance," the OAS General Assembly, meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, instructed the Working Group to begin negotiations on the Draft Inter-American Convention, taking into account the aforementioned Preliminary Draft Convention, and requested, among other things, that the Working Group, bearing in mind the Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities, contained in Permanent Council resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), dated December 15, 1999, continue to receive contributions from representatives of indigenous peoples, entrepreneurs, labor groups, and civil society organizations.

At its most recent meeting, held on September 21, 2006, the Working Group decided to forward the preliminary draft to the OAS organs and agencies. I am transmitting it to you herewith in order to receive your valuable opinions, which will surely be helpful in the negotiations we intend to conduct on the Draft Inter-American Convention.

The member states have asked me to request that your contributions be submitted in writing by October 31, 2006, to enable our work to proceed in accordance with our established schedule.

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

María Cristina Pereira da Silva

Counselor, Alternate Representative of Brazil to the OAS

Chair of the Working Group to

Prepare a Draft Inter-American Convention against

Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance