The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) wants Malaysia to ratify six United Nations treaties pertaining to human rights, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy said today.

According to Waythamoorthy, this was expressed by Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail and commissioners Lok Yim Pheng and Jerald Joseph during a fruitful discussion in his office.

"Suhakam also feels that the government of the day needs to ratify these treaties for better human rights protection in Malaysia," he said in a statement. 

In July, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah had pledged to push for the ratification of six international human rights conventions. 

These include the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, as well as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Waythamoorthy said other issues discussed at the meeting which needed to be dealt with urgently included those on land matters, death in custody, statelessness, migrant detention and minority religious obstacles.

"Suhakam also aired its concern on the use of laws like the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 to detain individuals for a prolonged period. 

"It felt that these laws were causing psychological and economic distress to the families of those detained and, at the same time, depriving the person detained fair justice through the courts," he said, adding that Suhakam receives over 800 complaints annually from the public.

- Bernama