PM: Suhakams existence proves commitment towards human rights
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.
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.
No apologies
Mahathir reiterated his view that Western concept of rights differ from that of Asian countries because the former places the rights of the individual before the interests of society while the latter places society above self.
"The Internal Security Act, which has been vehemently condemned by the West, is necessary to safeguard the nation's security and hence provide protection for the vast majority.
"We don't have to be apologetic about our endeavour to uphold rule of law whilst maintaining a disciplined stand in maintaining security and order," he said.
Mahathir also criticised the manner in which some nations "preach lofty tenets of rights" and at the same time "unilaterally declare war on others without even having to abide by the international law standards".
"The right of might has surfaced in place of the right to deliberate via accepted international norms. We must thus be unafraid to say what is right for human rights in our own country.
"Rights must always be seen in the larger context of the quality of life for the community and not just pegged on the ideals of 1948 which even the UN had not been able to effectively implement," he added.
Restrictive laws
In his speech earlier, Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman said although Parliament can make laws to restrict human rights if justified by requirements of morality, public order and general welfare of society, there is still a need for the government to review restrictive laws in view of technological advances.
"Maybe the time has come for the government to review these restrictive laws and pass new laws which would be needed to meet with changing circumstances and time, and also prevent abuse of power in line with the UDHR," he said.
In this regard, Suhakam maintains that detention without trial is contrary to human rights and that all citizens should have the right to freedom of expression, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to a fair trial, he stressed.
In addition, Abu Talib said Suhakam is currently working with educators, non-governmental organisations and the police to find ways to integrate human rights education into formal school curriculum and training of police personnel.
"Over the next year or so, we will be working with the Curriculum Development Centre and other education departments and agencies to articulate the core values of human rights and develop appropriate methods for teaching them," he said.
Suhakam's two-day conference which ends tomorrow aims to raise public awareness and understanding of human rights issues among the public.
Among the activities organised are several symposia addressing ways to promote rights awareness in the workplace and in schools.
Other discussion sessions will also focus on promotion of human rights values through the school curriculum, particularly during language and history lessons.
