FULFIL HUMAN RIGHTS PLEDGES, PH TOLD
Be clear and explain situation to people, human rights group urges govt
THE Pakatan Harapan government has been urged to implement the human rights reforms it had promised in its election manifesto a year ago.
Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phil Robertson said the government’s fear over public opinion in ratifying several core United Nations conventions was disconcerting.
He said the government needed to be clear and explain to the people the situation and how the country was going to move forward.
He said the government should inform the people: “This is our
decision, you elected us. Elections have consequences, the consequences is that we’re going to support these policies and take it forward.”
Robertson said the government should not follow the direction of “political wind”, on what was popular or not. Instead, he said, it should stand up and show conviction.
“Some parts of the government held on to the view that they should wait for another day, which may not come. A day when everything is wonderful and treaties can be passed with no problems at all.
“That is not going to happen. Not with an opposition playing disruptive politics.
“The reality is, no matter what the government says, it will face opposition from Umno and Pas.”
He said this at a press conference on PH’s reform agenda a year after the pact came to power, following its general election victory on May 9 last year.
On why the PH government might have rolled back the reform agenda, Robertson said some in power had described the situation of the Malay grassroots as being dangerous.
He criticised the government for having such fear, which was blown out of proportion.
“They need to understand they are elected, made commitments and need follow through on them. Things will be all right,” he assured.
He urged the government to talk to its allies and work with civil society, the media and trade unions to prepare groundwork and ensure progress.
PH, which marks its first anniversary of coming to power today, has back-pedalled on its commitment to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Protests over the accession to the treaty was mounted by Umno and Pas, as well as their supporters.
Malaysia also withdrew from the Rome Statute, which forms the basis of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Robertson urged the government to reconsider its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, saying the ICC was an important part of the infrastructure of the international human rights system.
“At a time when the Philippines had withdrawn from the ICC, it is important to have Malaysia as a leader on human rights in the region,” he said.
Robertson said when the government takes a step back away from these pledges, it also raises real concerns of its political commitment.
Present at the press conference was Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu.