UN High Commissioner slams Malaysia’s ‘democratic malaise’9
In Malaysia, democratic space continues to be limited, with the government applying “sedition” and other charges to an ever-widening circle of journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and critical voices.
The enactment of the Prevention of Terrorist Act and the National Security Council Act, without proper human rights safeguards, and without transparent and consultative process, is also a matter of concern.
The imprisonment of a former opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim – whose detention has been ruled arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention – is emblematic of a broader democratic malaise.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Government of Malaysia regrets that the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner was based on unsubstantiated and one sided information.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has chided the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for his unsubstantiated references to the limiting of democratic space in Malaysia, and hoped for balanced assessments of the human rights situation.
The Foreign Ministry said Malaysia regretted that the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner was based on unsubstantiated and one sided information.
In the case of former opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the ministry said the Government had provided an extensive response towards the opinion adopted by the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
It said the Government maintained that Anwar is not a political prisoner and was convicted after a fair and lengthy trial.
The full statement by Wisma Putra:
"The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, His Excellency Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had commented on the human rights situation in Malaysia, during the presentation of his Annual Report under Agenda Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 31st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 10 March 2016.
He made specific references to the limiting of democratic space in Malaysia and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,
The Government of Malaysia regrets that the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner was based on unsubstantiated and one sided information.
In the case of Anwar, the Government had provided an extensive response towards the opinion adopted by the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD).
The Government maintains that based on indisputable facts and legal basis, Anwar is not a political prisoner and was convicted after a fair and lengthy trial.
The overall progress and efforts by the Government of Malaysia in ensuring the enjoyment of human rights in Malaysia are attributed to the Government’s steadfast commitment to uphold the rule of law and human rights.
The Government has and will continue to provide the necessary democratic space for its citizens.
In the same manner, the Government has the obligation to ensure peace, stability and harmony in the country which are preconditions of the full enjoyment of rights.
In the interest of accuracy, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations in Geneva on 11 March 2016 had exercised Malaysia’s Right of Reply at the 31st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to respond to the allegations on the situation of human rights in Malaysia.
The full text of Malaysia’s statement is as attached.
Malaysia accords the utmost importance to the work of the Human Rights Council as an inter-governmental body that is guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.
Therefore, the Government of Malaysia hopes that the Council would be balanced in its assessments of the human rights situation of all member states.
Malaysia values the constructive dialogue and active engagement that the UN Human Rights Council is predicated on and will continue to maintain close cooperation with its mechanisms."
