The government has to consider the country's social, culture, and multi-racial history before joining instruments on human rights, Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Foreign Deputy Minister A Kohilan Pillay said the government had to ensure that the country's laws were in line with provisions in the international instruments.

"We are considering to join instruments on human rights. However, it is not easy to ratify the instruments as it is a long process," he said in reply to a question by Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak).

Azmin asked why the government did not sign the United Nations (UN) charters like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Kohilan said it was inappropriate for the government to join the instruments with reservation as it was not encouraged by UN.

- Bernama