Fwd: STOP RACISM ! RATIFY ICERD* NOW !
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STOP RACISM ! RATIFY ICERD* NOW !
(* International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination)
PUSAT KOMAS’ 2nd National Conference on Non-Discrimination
100 participants from different walks of life in Malaysia came together under the banner of "Malaysia Towards the Path of Non-Discrimination, Making it Possible." This was This was the team of Pusat KOMAS 2nd National Conference on Non-Discrimination held on Nov 19 2012
The participants of all race and religion represented civil society organizations, the academe, youth and students sector, grassroots communities and government civil servants. They actively engaged with the invited panelist speakers to discuss the situation of racism and non-discrimination; and law and policy reforms in Malaysia. The exchanges also made strong references to the International Human Rights Mechanisms.
The Malaysian authorities have often regarded this issue sensitive and thus, it was seldom openly discussed. However, the issue of racism is prevalent in Malaysian society and it is often used as a political tool in either garner support or sow hatred for political foes and opposition. In Malaysia, open discussion and discourse on this subject and appropriate law and policy reforms are long overdue.
The 1-day conference was jointly organized by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) and Institute of Ethnic studies (KITA) from UKM with the support of the Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM).
Dr. Mutuma Ruteere, a United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was an invited guest to visit Malaysia and to address the conference. Dr Mutuma who was visiting Malaysia for the first time shared that racism is a complex and multidimensional issue which required a comprehensive approach to address its political, economic, social and cultural aspects.
He also added that in adopting such a comprehensive approach, we have to emphasis upon the importance and value of preventive measures. This is essential in challenging and correcting attitudes and ideas, which are based on racial and cultural hierarchies.
KOMAS has been advocating non-discrimination since 2005 through organizing training workshops, film screenings and discussion sessions on related issues. Efforts has been made especially towards the grassroots rural and urban communities focusing on youth and students to provide them with an open space to critically analyze, and openly discuss non-discrimination issues often deemed sensitive.
KOMAS launched the campaign to ratify the ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination) in July 2012 to send a strong message to the Malaysian government to ratify the convention since Malaysia is part of the Human Right council in UN. As part of the campaign, KOMAS together with the CERD working group started an online petition to gain support for the ratification of ICERD.
During the conference, the issue of “Affirmative Actions” and “Article 153” was extensively discussed. The first panel which focused on the theme of “National Law Framework, What works?” saw an intensive debate and discussion on Article 153.
Many felt that the Article 153 of the Malaysian constitution instead of being based on needs of the people, it was a platform to designate special position status for a particular ethnic group. The original version was to help institutionalize a social safety net for a disadvantaged group but now after 50 years, the implementation of article 153 has proven that it tends to create division rather than reflect affirmative action. It was widely expressed that affirmative action should be made across the board to address all segments of society regardless of ethnicity.
On the issue of International Law frameworks, one of the main points raised in the conference was that affirmative action is currently part of the International Human Rights framework. However, any special measures accorded to a particular group must undergo periodic review and it is time bound. But in Malaysia, there is seldom a comprehensive and openly critical review and the policy is already almost 5 decades old.
Conference
delegates assert strongly that the ratification of the International
Convention on the elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination
(ICERD) is long overdue. It was felt that Malaysia should already
move towards the ratification process instead of peddling the excuse
that the country was not yet ready for such a move.
The final panel session focused on the vision of what constitutes a better Malaysia with civil society and political leaders exchanging ideas and suggestions in achieving a more equitable and just society.
Mr. Jayanath from SABM presented the draft of the Social Inclusion Act that proposed the setting up of a social inclusion commission to oversee all matters relating to poverty reduction, affirmative action and social inclusiveness. He stated that many people are often trapped in the politics of ethnicity and so an independent body is needed to ensure the advancement and progress of different ethnic groups individually and as a collective under the banner of being Malaysians.
The Orang Asli (indigenous community) participants also seized the opportunity to question the elected representatives in the panel, about their right to claims for their ancestral lands. They asserted that they should not be discriminated against in their struggle to protect their land rights and the government must ensure this right is not violated.
An important highlight of the National conference was the launching of a series of videos in conjunction with the "Ratify ICERD - Say No To Racism" campaign You can view the videos in the below links.
Watch our latest videos ICERD campaign!
COME JOIN US IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST RACISM!
Here is what you can do!
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/icerd-working-group-stop-racism-ratify-icerd-now
2. 'Like' our Facebook page "Ratify ICERD Now," and also encourage your family and friends to do the same.
https://www.facebook.com/AkuBangsaMysia
3. Follow us on twitter @ AkuBangsaMysia
4. Share our “Aku Bangsa Malaysia” or "Ratify ICERD Now" sticker from our Facebook Page to your family and friends.
5. Visit our website for updates and upcoming activities;