Seat on UN Human Rights Council not an endorsement, PM told

 

Malaysia's third stint on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is not an endorsement of the country's human rights record, two prominent human rights activists said.

Human Rights Society (Hakam) president and former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, in reaction to the election, said Malaysia's advocacy of human rights must start at home.

"Maybe give all MPs a briefing on what human rights mean. PAS especially. And try not to embarrass us on the HRC by allowing bigotry and racism to flourish at home.

"Start by moving on with international conventions. In short, set a good example," Ambiga said in a tweet today.

When contacted for further comment, Ambiga explained that the MPs that were once opposed to ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) and the Rome Statute were now in the government and had actively sought membership to the HRC.

"Therefore, it is incumbent on them to educate themselves on human rights and stop demonising human rights," she said.

For a start, she said the government can lead by example by ratifying the UN Refugee Convention and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Klang MP Charles Santiago

Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago criticised Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for claiming that the election was a "great achievement and recognition of (Malaysia's) status on human rights".

Charles said this could not be treated as an acknowledgement of good conduct because Malaysia has yet to ban child marriages, address custodial deaths, do away with the death penalty or rules criminalising homosexuality.

"Immigration raids are continuing, targeting migrant workers, who are then detained in horrendous conditions.

"The government, however, has no political will to go after unscrupulous labour agents or Malaysian employers.

"The government also adamantly refuses to set up an independent oversight body to monitor the police force, which has come under heavy scrutiny for abuse of powers and corruption.

"Malaysia practises double standards by championing the Palestinian cause, but is yet to recognise the rights of refugees in the country. They are often subjected to abuse by the authorities and denied the right to work, education and affordable healthcare," Charles said in a statement today.

Mid-term review

Malaysia has had two previous stints in the HRC - an inter-governmental body responsible for "strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations".

In announcing Malaysia's candidature for the HRC, the country had pledged to fulfil recommendations in the Universal Periodic Review - a process of reporting human rights status to the United Nations and, for the first time, commit to a mid-term review. (Read the pledges here.)

Malaysia also pledged to review oft-criticised laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act of 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2015, Sedition Act 1948, Peaceful Assembly Act of 2012, and Printing Press and Publications Act of 1984.

Malaysia has also pledged to engage stakeholders on the "possibility" of signing and ratifying the outstanding international conventions related to human rights.

There are 47 United Nations member states that have seats on the HRC.

Among the newly appointed members are Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, The Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

A candidate's existing human rights record is not a determinant for candidacy. - Mkini