A group of  NGOs today failed to submit a memorandum on human rights concerns in Malaysia to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Instead, Wisma Putra representatives offered to deliver the group’s memo to a UN official, who would accept it on Ban’s behalf.

“At the end we decided not to pass to anyone from Wisma Putra (the Foreign Ministry) or UN office in Malaysia because we can do that any other time,” said Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai who led the delegation, when contacted.

“We want to raise the issues concerning human rights because Malaysia as a member of UN human rights council but failed to protect and promote human rights in own country,” she said.

Nalini said the group had hoped that Ban could raise human rights issues in Malaysia during his meeting the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

 

The delegation of seven representatives from 24 NGOs, included Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel, and Fadiah Nadwa from Lawyers For Liberty.

Ban in his official two-day visit was taken to the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur this morning and will be meeting the prime minister tomorrow.

“We are disappointed that Ban's schedule is fully controlled by Wisma Putra and there is not a single meeting with civil society organisations,” said Nalini, while also accusing Ban of hypocrisy for not engaging with the civil society in Malaysia during his visit.

She said the group would send the memo to the UN’s headquarters in New York, the prime minister, and other ministries instead, and a copy had already been sent to the UN’s mission in Malaysia.

Legacy of repressive laws exist

In the opening of seven-page memo, the group said that Najib had promised reforms, and took on the task of abolishing the Internal Security Act, three Emergency Ordinances, and review laws relating to the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.

“However a legacy remains, of policy errors, human rights violations, and indiscriminate abuses of power that has impeded the progress of Malaysia and its public institutions. This has come at great social, economic and political costs to the nation,” the memorandum read.

It then spelled out 11 topics that the group hope would be raised to Najib, such as to end racial discrimination, draconian legislation, violence and sexual harassment against women, and discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transexuals, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) persons.

They also want the rights of indigenous peoples, workers, migrants, refugees, and children to be protected.

In addition, the NGOs are calling for free and fair elections, greater academic freedom, more resources for mother-tongue education, and improved social services.