Kulai MP: Child conversion goes against UN convention
Published: Jul 5, 2013 5:37 AM | Updated: Jul 5, 2013 6:59 AM
The bill allowing for unilateral child conversion should be withdrawn as the provision is against the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Malaysia is a signatory, said Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching
The bill allowing for unilateral child conversion should be withdrawn as the provision is against the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Malaysia is a signatory, said Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching
“The Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 on unilateral conversion of minors to Islam is against the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“It (the bill) should be reviewed and withdrawn immediately” said Teo in a press statement today.
Teo (right), who is DAP assistant national publicity secretary, cited Article 18.1 of the CRC which says:
“States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.”
Teo added, “As a party to the CRC, Malaysia recognises that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.”
“By allowing a minor to be converted to the religion of Islam with a single parent’s consent, we are going to deny the non-converting parent from playing his/her role in the upbringing of the child.”
The proposed amendment to the bill, which states that only one parent’s consent is needed to convert a minor to Islam, has drawn widespread criticism from the Bar Council, NGOs, BN component parties as well as from several members of the cabinet.
The CRC, which Malaysia ratified in 1995, is considered a legally-binding document under international law.
While Teo didn’t mention it, the CRC also states that children have the right to freedom of religion and that parents should only “provide direction”.
“14.1 States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
"14.2 States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.”
“The Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 on unilateral conversion of minors to Islam is against the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“It (the bill) should be reviewed and withdrawn immediately” said Teo in a press statement today.
Teo (right), who is DAP assistant national publicity secretary, cited Article 18.1 of the CRC which says:“States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.”
Teo added, “As a party to the CRC, Malaysia recognises that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.”
“By allowing a minor to be converted to the religion of Islam with a single parent’s consent, we are going to deny the non-converting parent from playing his/her role in the upbringing of the child.”
The proposed amendment to the bill, which states that only one parent’s consent is needed to convert a minor to Islam, has drawn widespread criticism from the Bar Council, NGOs, BN component parties as well as from several members of the cabinet.
The CRC, which Malaysia ratified in 1995, is considered a legally-binding document under international law.
While Teo didn’t mention it, the CRC also states that children have the right to freedom of religion and that parents should only “provide direction”.
“14.1 States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
"14.2 States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.”
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