NO FREEDOM OF SPEECH FOR THE LIKES OF ZAHID & HADI: IF YOU INCITE VIOLENCE WITH YOUR WORDS, YOU DESERVE TO BE INVESTIGATED BY PAKATAN – SUHAKAM ‘EMBARRASSED’ BY OFFENSIVE WORDS, IDEAS UTTERED DURING ICERD PROTESTS

LEADERS who speak against Malaysia’s plans to ratify the  International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) should not enjoy the right to freedom of speech if their words incite violence, said the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Its chairman Razali Ismail said the commission was “embarrassed” with the display of “bigoted actions and speeches of some Malaysians and certain political party leaders” in opposing ICERD.

He said they had perpetuated discrimination and demonstrated racist behaviour with their hate speech in the name of protecting the constitution and Islam.

“Suhakam calls on the authorities to properly investigate them under the Penal Code because these individuals may no longer enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression, which applies even to ideas that may be deeply offensive, but not to incitement and threatened violence,” Razali said in a statement.

Suhakam said it was also disappointed with Putrajaya’s reversal of its decision to ratify the convention and hoped the government would reconsider its decision.

“Suhakam hopes this decision is not an abdication of the government’s responsibility to guarantee protection of equality for all.”

Razali said Putrajaya’s decision, fuelled by negative and racist reactions to its initial plan, showed how poorly Malaysians understood the federal constitution and human rights.

“The government must realise the danger of how little most Malaysians understand our federal constitution and human rights, which is in our view proof of our education system’s failure to educate Malaysians from a young age on constitutional, political, and theoretical aspects of the duties of citizens, and the consistent history of Malaysia.

“This must serve as a wake-up call to the government and the Education Ministry to mainstream human rights and constitutional rights education in the education system.”

Razali said Suhakam also must accept responsibility for failing to promote understanding of the need to be against racial discrimination.

He said Suhakam was ready to assist the government, and urged Putrajaya to have the political will to lead national dialogues on ICERD.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT