In 2001, Malaysian NGOs participated in the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa.

It was a mammoth event that brought together 10,000 NGOs on the sidelines of a global inter- governmental meeting where Malaysia took on an active role.

The final outcome was the adoption, by consensus, of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), which to date is the most important framework in combating racism and racial discrimination.

Eight years on, the DDPA is up for review by the United Nations (UN). Malaysian NGOS and civil society have been monitoring the progress or lack thereof of the Malaysian government since 2001.

We reiterate that the DRC presents an opportunity for the government to represent the concerns of all peoples of Malaysia and must mirror the hopes, aspirations, visions and expectations of all Malaysians especially marginalised communities which continue to suffer as a result of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Amongst the hopes since 2001 was the promise to establish and implement without delays legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative and other measures such as national policies and action plans to prevent and protect against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

- To institute action-oriented policies and practices to ensure non-discrimination in particular as regards access to social services, employment, housing, education, health care, equal participation in political, economic, social and cultural decision making, etc;

- And to commit financial resources to education and awareness raising measures.

Malaysians continue to experience institutionalised race-based discrimination, increased racial profiling, race-based politics and race-based affirmative action (eg, New Economic Policy) which has resulted in public outcry such as the protests and rallies by minority groups.

The use of the media to perpetuate racism is widespread and culminates in increased discrimination. The increasing xenophobic tendencies towards migrants and refugees escalates the violations and discrimination.

The experiences of indigenous peoples in Malaysia subjects them to destruction of their communal properties, sources of livelihood, social structures and loss of identify, culture, dignity and life. The increasing lack of understanding of the inter-sectionality of discrimination increases the vulnerability of other marginalised groups such as women and LGBTIQs.

This DRC should accelerate the pace of action-orientated programmes to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The rejection of race-based ideologies in the last general elections should only serve to prove the point that the Malaysian government must act now on these issues.

The continued reassertion of the plight of victims of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, that voice out their plight through the media, Internet space, political parties, NGOs and even street demonstrations (eg, Hindraf and Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (Joas) points to the fact the government must respond and fight racism in all its forms in Malaysia.

A delegation representing the 43 NGOs had called for a meeting with the Malaysian government and met Misran Karmain, the Senior Undersecretary from the Department of Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Wisma Putra.

The delegation called on the Malaysian government, particularly the relevant implementing state agencies, to uphold its commitment to the DDPA and DRC by ensuring a dialogue with civil society post-DRC.

This is to ensure an inclusive and participatory move towards the development of a plan of action to eradicate and address the existing issues related to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in Malaysia.

The delegation further urged the government to demonstrate its commitment by immediately ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Cerd) and other relevant international treaties.

The chance is there for Malaysia to shine and show it means action in the follow up of the DRC. NGOs will await quick and deeper engagement post-DRC to get this agenda off the ground in Malaysia.

It is hoped that at the DRC Malaysia does not take on a regressive role as a leader in the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the context of negotiations and compromises that would only hurt and roll back years of advancement in the protection of human rights of victims of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.

We cannot wait another eight years of non-action on the DDPA.

The writer is on the board of directors, Pusat Komas. The above is on behalf of all NGOs that have signed the DRC Statement .