A/HRC/42/58 Comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation 68. At the sixth meeting on 10 April, the Ad Hoc Committee began a consideration of agenda item 6, The Chair-Rapporteur explained that while many experts on this topic had been approached, it had not been possible to secure more than one expert to make presentations on the topic of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. 69. He invited delegations to volunteer to make presentations on comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation and relevant legislative frameworks in their respective countries. The representatives of Algeria, Cuba, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and the representatives of the African Group, European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) took the floor during this meeting. 70. The representative of Malaysia stated that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance were on the rise in various parts of the world, and had been exacerbated by the rise of right-wing populism propagating xenophobic sentiment and hate crimes. History had shown that if those were not addressed in an urgent and holistic manner, they would lead to serious human rights violations. The international community needed to redouble efforts to fight racial discrimination xenophobia and related intolerance in all forms and manifestations. The work of the Ad Hoc Committee was pertinent and an important to contribution to these efforts. 71. He added that Islamophobic acts were contemporary forms of racism and discrimination and they violated the internationally recognised human rights norms and standards Legal and administrative measures which rendered defamation of religions illegal and punishable by law were required to curb Islamophobic acts. In this regard, Malaysia wished to underscore that the proposed additional protocol covers all contemporary forms of discrimination, including any discrimination based on religion or belief such as Islamophobia which currently represented the most prevalent form of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. 72. In the context of sharing Malaysia’s experience, the Government of Malaysia was developing a National Harmony Bill in 2019. The Harmony Bill, comprising three new Acts, would be the thrust in the Government’s efforts to enhance and strengthen race relations among Malaysians. The new Acts were the Racial and Religious Hate Crimes Bill, the National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill, and the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill. In addition, education and reconciliatory dialogues were also being implemented to advance the values of moderation, tolerance and mutual respect. The Government had also established a National Committee for Promoting Understanding and Harmony to: strengthen bonds among the people of various religions; become a mediating body for issues raised among religious adherents; encourage all religious associations to respect as well as adhere to the Federal Constitution; and ensure the government is attentive to the voices of religious organisations. 73. He noted that Malaysia had also partnered with religious organisations, ministries, agencies and local universities to conduct interfaith dialogues at local, regional and international levels. Malaysia actively participated in UN-sponsored dialogues on faiths and cultures and would continue implementing policies and programmes to prevent racism, discrimination and religious bigotry in Malaysia. 74. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted that its constitution forbid all sorts of discrimination. The country had in addition a wide spectrum of legislation to protect its inhabitants from discrimination. The Revolutionary Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had undertaken legal reforms to make those who were dispossessed or deprived of such rights for decades more visible. The Revolutionary Government through the Plan de la Patria 2019–2025, had presented a plan for the defence and protection of the historical and cultural heritage of Venezuelans. For that purpose, it was necessary to counter the production of cultural and historical narratives generated from the dominant neo-colonial perspective. Instead it was mandatory to develop liberation strategies and cultural emancipation with an emphasis on vulnerable social groups, such as Afrodescendants. Another plan in Venezuela was the Human Rights Plan 2016–2019, in which strategic guidelines were developed to advance the human rights of people of African descent, the creation of a National Institute against Racial Discrimination, and the National 30