Kuala Lumpur, 18 October – A stakeholder meeting was held yesterday with Senator P. Waytha Moorthy, Minister of National Unity and Social Wellbeing, to discuss the upcoming move to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This is the first time a minister of National Harmony has met with Civil Society Organizations in a very detailed discussion on ICERD.
Attendees commended the Minister for the willingness to meet to discuss ICERD as requests to the previous government on this issue were ignored.
A number of issues were raised by participants to work towards overcoming hurdles and concerns surrounding national unity which included ensuring the inclusion of groups such as the Orang Asli, opposition to ratification linked to interpretations of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, utilising the outputs from the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) townhalls to raise awareness and strengthen the case for ratification, alleged institutionalised racism in government bodies and authorities, and shortcomings identified throughthe Universal Periodic Review process.
It was emphasised that the ratification of ICERD is to set further strengthen the government’s efforts in ensuring the development of good models of governance which emphasise on human rights, addresses social and economic imbalances, promotes equality and begins moving away from race-based policy making.
A roadmap towards ratification will be worked out with a definitive timeframe after consultation with key stakeholders such as the Attorney General’s Chambers. A multi-ministerial approach will also be undertaken with other ministries and stakeholders brought in to ensure successful ratification of these treaties.
The meeting was convened in the background of the government’s stated international commitment to review and proceed to ratify a number of United Nations conventions which includes ICERD, the UN Convention against Torture, and other core United Nations treaties related to human rights.
The Minister met with the ICERD Working Group together with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Unity and Integration were also in attendance.
We congratulate this new engagement process and thank Minister for agreeing to meet regularly towards the ratification process of ICERD.
Members in the ICERD Working Group.
1. Pusat KOMAS
2. BEBAS,
3. Bar Council
4.PROHAM
5. SUARAM
6. Islamic Renaissance Front
7. Projek Dialogue
8. Komuniti Muslimin Universal
9. Tenaganita
10. Aliran