Check covert conversions, says rights group

 

Global Human Rights Foundation president S Shashi Kumar says the government must stop unilateral conversions of underage children as these are morally and religiously incorrect.

PETALING JAYA: The Global Human Rights Foundation (GHRF) has urged the government to create an independent body to oversee conversions to Islam, especially those carried out covertly.

In conjunction with Human Rights Day, its president S Shashi Kumar said strict laws and guidelines had to be drafted and enforced to avoid conversions from being done covertly.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must also look into taking stern action against those performing unilateral conversions of underage children, which is morally and religiously incorrect.

“GHRF hopes the unity government will combat issues pertaining to racism, fanaticism, extremism, discrimination, double standard law enforcement, supremacist policies and religious persecutions,” he said in a statement.

Shashi also urged the government to table a Racial and Religious Hatred Bill in Parliament as this would allow those making any statement deemed as hate speech to be prosecuted.

In August, the High Court granted single mother Loh Siew Hong leave to commence a judicial review application, as she seeks a declaration that her former husband was legally unfit to convert their children to Islam.

Loh is also seeking a declaration that a provision in the Perlis state enactment that allows a parent to unilaterally convert minor children is unconstitutional.

She also wants a declaration that her twin daughters and her son are of Hindu faith and are legally incapable of embracing Islam without her consent.

Loh contended that she had obtained a civil court order giving her custody, care and control of her children in 2020. - FMT