The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) claims that persons with disabilities in Malaysia are still being deprived of their rights.

It said this in a statement in conjunction with the International Persons with Disabilities’ Day today.

“In Malaysia, the disabled continue to be deprived of their rights, among others, to be included in the general education system and to be employed in both private and public sectors.

"The disabled continue to face stereotypes, marginalization and often condescending reactions from possible employers as well as colleagues,” said Suhakam Acting Chairman Dr Khaw Lake Tee.

Many Acts, but no action

He added that despite there being legal grounds like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 and National Policy and Plan of Action on the disabled by the government, there was still discrimination occurring as there was no proper monitoring done.

“Domestically, ignorance levels within workplaces may be attributed to the absence of monitoring of compliance to existing legislations and legal frameworks, including the CRPD.”

“Suhakam is concerned that there are no sanctions in place for non-compliance with the provisions of the 2008 Act, and the lack of any mechanism for legal redress for non-compliance.”

'Include them in '

Dr Khaw also called on the government to include the disabled in the National Human Rights Action Plan and “allocate adequate resources” to achieve better human rights for the disabled.

“The Commission calls for a firm commitment and continued effort from the authorities as well as all stakeholders in identifying and overcoming barriers that continue to discriminate against the disabled and would like to state that equality and non-discrimination of the disabled must be main-streamed as a cross-cutting issue in all national policies and frameworks, including the National Human Rights Action Plan.

“Malaysia must also set time frames for and allocate adequate resources towards gradually removing existing barriers faced by the disabled and to review national practices to achieve greater recognition of the human rights of the disabled, including sensitization efforts on the Convention and its Optional Protocol.

“The Commission also calls on the government to withdraw the existing reservations to the Convention and to ratify its Optional Protocol,” said Dr Khaw.