Five other UN human rights treaties also a threat, says PAS

Besides the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), the other five UN human rights conventions not ratified by Malaysia are also bad for the country, claims PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan. 

"They don't want to ratify Icerd, so the question I'm raising is, what of the five other conventions? Are they not a threat to the country?

"There are several points that show we should not only look at Icerd, the five other treaties also have major risks," Nasrudin said at an anti-Icerd forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

Among the five treaties includes international conventions against torture, and prevention of enforced disappearances.

Other human rights treaties which Malaysia has pledged to sign are the conventions on the rights of migrant workers and their families, the Rome Statute, and the International Covenant for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

Putrajaya had previously mulled ratifying Icerd before pulling the plug on Friday.

'Manipulating the issue'

Despite this, Nasrudin said there were still calls for the other conventions to be ratified.

"I question this because I don't want it to be manipulated and they will proceed to ratify the other conventions.

"Suhakam in a statement said the caning punishment in Terengganu is against one of the UN human rights conventions, and with that they are pushing to abolish all related laws so it can match international standards," he said.

He was referring to a statement by Suhakam in September, which slammed the caning of two lesbians in Terengganu by the state Syariah Court.

Suhakam said the caning was against the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, among others.

Meanwhile, NGO Ummah chief Aminuddin Yahaya (photo), who was also present at the forum, questioned PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's stance that proceeding with Dec 8 anti-Icerd rally was "mischevious."

Aminuddin said there was nothing wrong with continuing the rally as a sign of thanks.

"What is wrong with being grateful?... Is being grateful mischievous?" he asked when met by reporters.

Both PAS and Umno have pledged to support and attend the Dec 8 gathering.