PM: Suhakams existence proves commitment towards human rights

comments     Yap Mun Ching     Published     Updated

Malaysia remains in the forefront of safeguarding human rights as it is among the first few nations in Southeast Asia to institute a national human rights commission, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The premier said this in a speech at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) conference on human rights and education held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The conference was held in conjunction with the National Human Rights Day.

In his speech, read by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim, Mahathir noted the fundamental liberties enshrined in the Federal Constitution including civil and political rights, citizen's rights to sue the government and protection against racial discrimination in the public services.

"While the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) serves as a benchmark, there can never be an absolute consensus on the meaning of these rights. Human values have undergone vigorous and widespread changes," he said.

According to the premier, the practice of some of these rights has to consider the religious and cultural practices of a nation such as the prohibition of same-sex marriages and for gay couples to adopt children.

"We cannot emulate the West and allow such unnatural practices to occur in our country. Likewise, freedom of worship does not give anyone the licence to engage in religious deviations or cults," he added.

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