Thursday, 2 April 2009
KOMAS led Malaysian civil society in response to Durban Review Conference (DRC)

Jerald Joseph, Director of Pusat KOMAS leading the civil society representatives

Pusat KOMAS, after discussing with some local Non-Governmental Organisations, called for a dialogue to inform colleagues on updates on the upcoming Durban Review Conference (DRC).

The conference is a review conference of the 2001 UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR). As the DRC is being held on 20-24 April 2009, the dialogue was held to discuss and understand the UN meeting better and see its implications in relations with Malaysian government’s role.

Left to right: Ms Sunila Abeysekera was part of the Malaysian delegate in the WCAR Datuk Denison Jayasooria from KITA, UKM

About fifteen participants representing a broad section of the civil society attended the one-day forum in KOMAS office last Friday. Datuk Denison Jayasooria from the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) UKM, Ms Sunila Abeysekera from the International Women’s Rights Action Watch (IWRAW) Asia Pacific, are some of the notable participants. Two representatives from the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS), Ms Tijah Chupil and Mr Bah Azmi, provided the needed ground perspective from the much marginalized minority group.

Ms Tijah Chupil representing the indigenous groups tells of how the indigenous are cot consulted in many policies affecting their lives particularly education and land rights

Facilitated by Jerald Joseph, director of Pusat KOMAS, the group reviewed the ways racism was still being perpetuated in the country through the political system, public school setting and the mainstream media. Through the forum, it was clear that the Malaysian government had not fulfilled its pledge in the WCAR, eight years ago.

The civil society groups manage to draft a comprehensive statement capturing the broad strokes of racism issues in Malaysia, ready for our government delegation that is involved in the negotiations for DRC.

The completed statement is now being circulated to gather support and endorsement from more civil society groups. If you are a member of any Malaysian NGO who does not tolerate racism in any form in the country and would like to endorse the statement, please contact us via phone or e-mail. Deadline for endorsement: 12 pm, 6 April 2009.

A brief background:

In 2001, the United Nations organized the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa. The conference was attended by more than 10,000 people from all regions of the world and led to the adoption by consensus of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which to date is the most important framework in the combat against racism and racial discrimination.

In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 61/49, decided to convene in 2009 a Review Conference on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and requested the Human Rights Council to undertake preparation for the Conference.

The Durban Review Conference (DRC), to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 20-24 April 2009, will evaluate progress towards the goals set by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. The Malaysian government would be participating in this global conference.