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Saturday, 30 September 2017

UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF MUSTAFA AKYOL

PROHAM is concerned at the direction and manner in which the religious authority of Wilayah Persekutuan is interpreting the powers under Section 11 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.

Invoking this provision of the law against Mustafa Akyol; the world-renowned journalist, author and academic has marred and besmirched Malaysia’s status as a moderate Muslim state in the eyes of the world. The Honourable Prime Minister has always maintained and promoted Malaysia as a moderate Muslim nation and as an example to be followed by other Muslim states. However, this incident unfortunately proves otherwise.

PROHAM notes that Section 11 is not applicable to someone who gives public lectures on comparative religion or conducts an academic discourse on Islam. It does not come within the context of religious education as envisaged under Part X of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993. Hence, Mustafa Akyol’s detention is unjustified, unlawful and the religious authority concerned has acted in excess of its jurisdiction.

Unnecessary restrictions imposed on journalists, authors and academicians infringe the basic principles of human rights. All religious authorities must respect this basic right. Further, the act of the religious authority in this manner undermines tolerance and respect for the various religious beliefs in a country with multi-racial, multi-religious and a democratic society like ours.
PROHAM calls on the government to ensure that such a conduct by any religious authority is never to be repeated again.

Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari

Chairman, PROHAM
Sept 30, 2017

Sunday, 24 September 2017

PROHAM's response to the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennounce's observations in Malaysia



'PROHAM  shares the views and observations made by the UN Special Rapporteur, Karima Bennounce made on 21/9/17 at the end of her visit to Malaysia.

PROHAM  also urges  the Malaysian government to exercise regional leadership on human rights and to ratify the various International human rights treaties and conventions which are still pending.

Issues raised with regards to the indigenous peoples especially the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia need to be addressed urgently by the government.  The recommendations made by the relevant UN bodies on the cultural rights of the indigenous peoples must be fully implemented. 

The Special Rapporteur has also raised a long standing national concern about the impact of the unilateral conversion of the children by one parent and PROHAM urges the government to reconsider the proposed amendments to the Law Reform Marriage and Divorce Act which was withdrawn at the last Parliament sitting. 

The Malaysian government should also remove restrictions and bans on artistic and cultural practices as well as on certain authors, publishers, filmmakers, artists and cartoonists. The use of the Sedition Act to quell freedom of expression is regretted and   PROHAM reiterates Ms Karma's call on the government to repeal the Sedition Act and all laws that continuously provide for detentions without trial. We agree too with Ms Karima's observation on gender discrimination, the restrictions on women performing for mixed audiences in Kelantan must be lifted without delay. 

The Malaysian Constitution protects peoples of all faiths (including atheism) and allows them to practice their religion freely. So PROHAM further urges the Malaysian government to respect and protect these rights, including the right not to profess any religion or belief.

Released by:
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, Chairman & Ivy Josiah, Secretary General 
Society for the Promotion of Human Rights
Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM) 
Sept 24. 2017