'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PROHAM urges the government to reconsider the proposed amendments to the Law Reform Marriage and Divorce Act which was withdrawn at the last Parliament sitting.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
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