Support human rights for all

HUMAN Rights Day yesterday once again reminded us that human rights are universal and necessary for humans to flourish. Human rights are held in high esteem by all religions and civilisational traditions – in recognition that all human beings are born free and are equal in the need for dignity. The cluster of rights that have now come to be known as universal human rights gives expression to this human dignity.

A mutual assurance on human rights is essential if we are to see all people of every tongue and tribe know one another and prosper.

Realities on the ground are, however, far from this ideal. Statesponsored human rights abuses and violations abound. We see conflicts and violence in many regions and countries such as in the Israel-Palestine territories, Yemen, South Sudan, Congo, Malawi, Ukraine, Pakistan, India, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Non-state actors and groups, such as the Islamic State exacerbate the violations further with violent extremism in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, while the Boko Haram group is doing the same in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

The violations and abuses also extend to specific circumstances such as assaults on LGBT individuals/groups, gender discrimination, slavery, and human trafficking.

In all these instances, the denial and/or abuses of human rights are gross and evident.

In times such as these, the need to recognise human rights as part of any national culture and way of life is paramount. This is reflected in the impassioned plea by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to recognise human rights as part of Islamic belief. The same call could also be made to other great faiths and religions to similarly recognise and uphold the human rights tradition as indispensable for civilisational progress and human advancement.

In line with this need for civilisational progress, and the quest to forge a common consensus and together build a harmonious, peaceful and progressive Malaysian society, we in Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) call on every Malaysian, regardless of colour or creed to declare the following:

> Human rights are universal and essential for human good and necessary for the wellbeing of all people whether individually or in community;

> Human rights recognise the dignity or worth of every human being as a moral agent. People with dignity or worth must necessarily have the rights to freedom and autonomy to fulfil their purpose in life;

> Human rights uphold a person’s freedom and autonomy to determine his or her own destiny whether in accordance with his or her own faith, beliefs or otherwise without being subjected to domination and harm from others;

> Human rights deem affirmative actions and the pursuit for sustainable development as imperative for the overall welfare of all human beings and the communities they belong to;

> Human rights are indispensable if wider society is to flourish democratically, with the guarantee of political freedom, the right to dissent without fear, and the free choice of choosing the best available candidates to hold high office in Parliament and the government;

> Human rights protect people of all walks of life so they can peacefully coexist and ensure a harmonious society. They guard against society descending into chaos and, consequently, bringing harm and danger to people;

> Human rights defend all who are oppressed and discriminated against, especially those who cannot speak for or defend themselves; and

> Human rights act against the injustice and the tyranny of the majority of whichever ideological, ethnic or religious group. They serve as the conscience of the people to bring about the greatest happiness and the fulfilment of mankind and the universe.

With this in mind, we call on the loyal citizens of Malaysia to pledge the following:

> To have the courage and integrity to advance the human rights discourse and undertake righteous actions pursuant to human rights;

> To support all initiatives to strengthen the rule of law and uphold the human rights of all citizens within the framework of our Federal Constitution; and

> To work in partnership with all citizens regardless of race or religion to forge a shared human rights vision aimed at realising equal citizenship and the common good for a just, peaceful and prosperous Malaysian society.

ZAID KAMARUDDIN Chair, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) For and on behalf of the Executive Council, GBM