'What are we doing on UN Human Rights Council?'

Despite being accorded a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the second time, Malaysia has "failed to demonstrate real commitments" to related international conventions and implementation of universal principles of human rights.  

Saying this today, Yusmadi Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau) (left) recounted that there are human rights violations in Malaysia's backyard and by the very government that purports to advocate protection of human rights elsewhere.

"We rubbished the recommendations of our Human Rights Commission (Suhakam)... We have leaders making allegations of communist threats. and new imperialist waves, from a former premier and ex-top cop, no less.

"Are we just sitting pretty as members on the (HRC) but failing to implement human rights in our country?" he asked during Question time in the House this morning.

Yusmadi had earlier asked what the government plans to do, to further human rights in Malaysia in view of its appointment to the HRC.

Deputy Foreign Minister A Kohilan Pillai contended that Malaysia is serious about implementing international human rights conventions.

This is demonstrated by its recent retraction of reservations on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and Convention on the Rights of the Child.

He refuted Yusmadi’s contentions that the government has rubbished Suhakam's recommendations.

“We consider the views of all parties including Suhakam with regard to human rights. It is wrong of you to say that we don't take the commission’s views into account.”

Kohilan (right) however cautioned that  international human rights conventions cannot be taken in toto.

“Article 2(2) of the International Convention on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights, for example, touches on rights of lesbians and gays.

"We have to consider (such matters) from the standpoint of our culture and racial diversity before we ratify (the treaty).”

Approached later, the deputy ministry told reporters that the same holds true for conventions that prohibit the death sentence.

He said the penalty is crucial for Malaysia in its war against drugs.

‘This new religion...’

In a supplementary question, Mohamad Aziz (BN-Seri Gading) asked the minister to elaborate on human rights being the new method employed by the West to colonise Malaysia by imposing its standards on the country.

“They have launched this new religion, human rights. If they are sincere about fighting for human rights why is it that the Palestinians have theirs denied?

"They can’t even join the UN without being threatened with a veto. On them, they do not implement. On us they impose human rights so much so that we have a free sex activity in our country.

“These acts breach our cultural bounds in the name of human rights. Human rights must be adapted to the constitution or these will not gel with the majority of the rakyat."

Kohilan agreed, stressing again that we need to be careful what conventions that are ratified.

“That is why there are many conventions we have yet to ratify, because of the cultural diferences and our racial diversity.

"We must be careful, a lot of these modern activities have ... caused us headaches. Human rights are important but what is crucial is that we must follow our own mould, that would be best."
 

Related stories

'RM100 for students not from 2012 Budget'

RM100 schooling aid can also be claimed later, says DG

MP resurrects controversial RM1.8bil KTMB deal

'Banks deterring Indians from buying into unit trusts'