PETALING JAYA, Malaysia — Human Rights Watch (HRW)
challenged Malaysia to withdraw from the United Nations (UN) if the
government was not serious about upholding human rights for all.
HRW’s Asia division deputy director Phil Robertson(photo) told a
news conference here that he was shocked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Razak’s promise earlier today to uphold human rights only within the Islamic
context.
“The logical argument from that would be Malaysia should
resign from the UN. Is Malaysia prepared to do that?” he asked.
Robertson said governments only made such statements when
they want to abuse human rights, especially if they face pressure from human
rights activists.
He said it was important for human rights advocates to
continue piling pressure on Putrajaya so that the government will stick to its
duty as a member of the UN and follow the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
At a separate function earlier today, Najib pledged that his
administration will do its best to uphold human rights here, but only within
the confines of Islam.
administration will do its best to uphold human rights here, but only within
the confines of Islam.
Najib said this was in line with the Islamic teaching of
balance and wasatiyyah (moderation), adding that Muslim Malaysia cannot defend
the more extreme aspect of human rights, citing 
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights as example.
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights as example.
“Although universal human rights have been defined, we still
define human rights in the country in the context of Islam and the Shariah.
“And even if we cannot defend human rights at an
international level, we must defend it in the Islamic context,” Najib told the
International Wasatiyyah Seminar
2015 in Bangi.
International Wasatiyyah Seminar
2015 in Bangi.
Source: The Malay Mail Online
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