The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is urging the government to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) to bring it in line with international human rights standards.
This is after a deputy minister revealed plans to amend the Act with harsher punishments for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, which Suhakam found disconcerting.
"Suhakam stresses that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should have the same fundamental rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution including their right to privacy and to live with dignity.
"Suhakam further recommends that the government adopt a more compassionate approach by respecting human rights for all through continuous dialogues and awareness-raising programmes with the relevant stakeholders," it said in a statement last night.
De facto Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary on Wednesday said amending Act 355 was necessary to correct the "wrongdoings" of the LGBT.
The PAS leader also argued for stern actions to being taken against those who do not dress as required of their gender.
Ahmad Marzuk's stance against the LGBT comes two weeks after cosmetics entrepreneur Nur Sajat Kamaruzzaman - who is a transwoman - claimed ill-treatment and assault on Jan 6, while being investigated by several Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) officers at its headquarters in Shah Alam.
Lawyers For Liberty said attacking the LGBT was meant to distract from real issues.
Amending Act 355 to allow states to enact harsher punishments has been a long-term goal for PAS, and is used to ensure support from its base.
Ahmad Marzuk had in last November said that a draft amendment would be presented for state-level discussions by early this year before it is tabled in Parliament. - Mkini
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