Expert to address obstacles delaying Malaysia's accession to UNCAT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA) have engaged the expertise of a United Nations expert to help with Malaysia’s accession to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

The expert is Abdelwahab Hani, an elected member of the United Nations Committee against Torture.

Apart from appointing Abdelwahab, who is also a Board Member of the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), a workshop is being held today with Islamic religious leaders, scholars and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss measures in respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the obligations of the UNCAT in good faith, said Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail in a joint press statement.

Through strong partnership and cooperation, Suhakam and CENTHRA will provide coordinated and sustained support through legal and technical advice, recommendations and assistance to the Malaysian government to accede to and implement the convention before Malaysia’s third Universal Periodic Review on Nov 8, 2018.

This is in line with Malaysia’s pledge to achieve the promise of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): ‘No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, he added.