The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, called on activists meeting ahead of a UN conference on racism to "give a space" to Palestinians, Roma and low-caste Dalits.
Mrs Robinson, speaking at the opening in Durban of a forum of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), declared: "We are starting something here in Durban. "Durban is a conference essentially about relationships ... and we have not got it right in the previous centuries."
To enthusiastic applause, the UN commissioner said: "Yes, you must give a space here to Roma, to Palestinian people, to people of African descent... and to Dalits."
Countries participating in the UN summit, which opens in this Indian Ocean city on Friday, are deeply divided over the Middle East, demands for reparations for slavery, and whether the caste system in India and other Asian countries should be discussed.
The US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, will shun the conference over concerns about "offensive" anti-Israel language in the programme. A lower-level US delegation may be sent instead.
But the compromise cut little ice with African-Americans. The civil rights leader Mr Jesse Jackson said: "It's a global insult not to go." Mr Jackson himself will attend the meetings in Dublin. He added: "To opt out of that conference is to opt out of a chance to lead the world toward more racial justice and multicultural living."
Mrs Robinson said: "Every country that cares about these issues must be here in Durban to participate.