Malaysia feels that the issue of human rights should not be included in the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR) draft that binds member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in various aspects of telecommunications.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said the World Conference of International Telecommunications (WCIT) 2012 must consider that only 28 of the 193 ITU member states had registered their support to include human rights issue in the draft.

Speaking in the WCIT plenary session at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai today, he said the WCIT seemed not to be the right place or the right time to talk about human rights in the ITR.

"The convention seemed to be abusing and misusing the process to include this language (human rights) while implementing this regulation. Member states must take into account their international obligation in relation to universal human rights.

"The word, as you know, is very imperative, and we are not given the chance or opportunity to state case by case, why, in the preamble, this issue (human rights) should not be included. We would like to state this very amply and clearly," he said.

‘Focus only on the technical aspect of telecommunications’

Dr Rais has been in Dubai since Tuesday to take part in the ITU-organised WCIT 2012, which aims at reviewing the current ITR that serves as the binding global treaty designed to facilitate international interconnection and interoperability of information and communication services.

As a United Nations agency focusing on communications and information technology, the ITU brings together government and private sector members for a forum towards agreeing on the future direction of ICT.

The ITR encompasses the global agreement formulated to facilitate mutual international relations on telecommunications as well as drawing up the guiding principles to ensure free flow of information throughout the world.

All the counties attending the conference are already members of the UN and have the obligation under the universal declaration of human rights.

After Dr Rais submitted his argument, some countries raised similar opinions, saying that the question of human rights should not be included in the ITR, because the treaty should focus only on the technical aspect of telecommunications.

Among the countries which appeared to be supporting the argument are the host country United Arab Emirates, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and Algeria.

It is understood that the move to review the ITR began two years ago and the 10-day WCIT Conference, beginning Dec 3, is an effort by all parties involved to see its success.

Last night, Dr Rais and his wife Masnah Rais took the opportunity to watch the movie ‘Hanyut’, directed by renowned Malaysian director U-Wei and which premiered here in conjunction with the 9th Dubai International Film Festival.

- Bernama