We denounce the failure of our government to participate in the Durban Review Conference, a process of critical importance to victims of racism the world over. As civil society organizations, we are here to affirm our commitment to this Review Conference, which is intended to assess the progress UN member nations have made to implement the DDPA.

The Canadian government's decision to withdraw from the UN process is a shameful abdication of multilateral responsibility. The persistence of colour coded economic and social disparity facing the growing number of racialized and aboriginal persons throughout Canada makes the Canadian government's absence here all the more disgraceful.