Putrajaya should sign the United Nations’s (UN) conventions on human rights, which Malaysia has yet to ratify, to show that it is committed to moderation and protecting the rights of the people, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
BY LOOI SUE-CHERN
Published: 10 December 2014
Putrajaya should sign the United Nations’s (UN) conventions on human rights, which Malaysia has yet to ratify, to show that it is committed to moderation and protecting the rights of the people, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this after reports that human rights in Malaysia had fallen to a new low this year, with the world watching its human rights record and commitment to moderation at home.
The de facto PKR leader said the opposition raised the issue of Malaysia not ratifying key UN conventions on human rights in Parliament before.
“It was explained that Malaysia did not sign all the UN conventions because according to Putrajaya, there were one or two provisions the government disagreed with.
“Fair (enough)… but at least they should sign the major components.
“Why talk about Islam, and moderate Islam, when you are scared to say that you promote human rights and respect human dignity? That is what human rights is all about.”
Anwar said Islam defended human rights, but added that religion was presently used to promote extremism and racism, which was disturbing.
“The entire message of Islam is about universality and justice. How can you use Islam to defend injustice, racism and discrimination?” he told reporters in Kepala Batas after a programme with mosque committees organised by the Penang Islamic Foundation (YIPP) today.
Anwar was asked to comment on Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (Suaram) 2014 report which found human rights had hit a new low in Malaysia under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration.
The report, launched in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, stated that freedom of expression “took a heavy toll” this year, with 44 people – opposition politicians, activists, lawyers, academics, Muslim preachers, students and others – being investigated, charged or convicted under the Sedition Act 1948.
Anwar was also asked about Malaysia not adopting more of the nine core UN human rights conventions.
It was reported that to date, Malaysia has only signed three of the nine. Among those Malaysia is not a party to are the conventions on civil and political rights, refugees, elimination of racial discrimination, against torture and on the rights of migrant workers.
At a forum on Malaysia’s seat at the security council in Kuala Lumpur last night, experts said the Najib administration can no longer speak of human rights and moderation on the world stage and do the opposite at home.
They said for Malaysia – which takes up top leadership posts in the region and at the United Nations next year – to show real leadership, the government must also ratify key UN conventions on human rights such as preventing torture and giving recognition to political and economic rights. – December 10, 2014.