The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the Universal Periodic Review Process (Comango) has denied the Home Ministry’s claim that it is championing rights that ‘deviate from Islam’.

It also said the ministry’s ban on the group was not done in accordance to Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966, and it will file for a judicial review to the High Court to quash the decision.

“Comango is appalled that the government is using Islam as a political tool to silence criticisms of human rights violations, and to demonise human rights defenders.

“It is bowing to alarmist tactics and is complicit in fanning rising and extremely divisive intolerance in this country,” it said in a statement today.

It stressed that none of its work is contrary to the federal constitution and its submissions to the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) are part of an established process sanctioned by the UN.

It points out that all UN members including Muslim-majority countries have participated in this peer review process on each other’s human rights record.

As Malaysia is lobbying to be a part of the UN Security Council, Comango says the government cannot participate in some UN processes while disavowing others.

“The UPR process is as a peer-review mechanism designed to prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights to be equally enjoyed by every human being, with the goal of improving the human rights situation in every country.

“The government’s action through the Home Ministry is in opposition to this goal and violates our rights to freedom of expression and association,” it said.

Ministry's list 'inaccurate and misleading'

The Home Ministry had banned the group yesterday, on basis that Comango was championing the rights of lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgenders, inter-sexed and queer persons (LGBTIQ), and is not registered under the Societies Act.

The Ministry’s statement announcing the ban included a purported list of 15 NGOs that are part of Comango that are registered under the Act, and 39 groups that are not.

Comango countered that the Home Minister may declare a society unlawful under Section 5 of the Societies Act only if it is “being used for purposes prejudicial to or incompatible with the interest of the security of Malaysia, public order or morality.”

It added that the Home Ministry’s list included organisations registered under the Societies Act, as well as organisations registered under the Companies Act 1965, unincorporated associations, and civil society coalitions.

“The list attached with the media statement is inaccurate and misleading,” it said.

Comango also expressed concern over the government’s echoing of the position of “extremist groups” that believe certain human rights treaties to be un-Islamic although it has been adopted by other Muslim-majority states.

“We are concerned that the government has not only adopted the language and positions of these extremist groups, but also facilitated hate speech by funding groups such as Perkasa .

“The media statement by the Home Ministry affirms our view that the government appears to be beholden to these extremist groups.”