PAS against other UN treaties that prevent torture and protect foreign workers

PETALING JAYA: PAS has called on the Pakatan Harapan government not to ratify other United Nations treaties, including those that prohibit torture, protect migrant workers, and prevent forced disappearances of people. 

This comes days after the government has decided not to rafity the International Convention Eliminating Racial Discrimination (ICERD). 

PAS information chief Nasruddin Hassan (pic) pointed out that Putrajaya had previously promised to ratify six international human rights treaties, including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Other treaties that the government had intended to sign include the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, 
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

“We cannot just look at the ICERD, but at the other treaties which pose a huge risk. 

"Do they not threaten the nation too?” Nasruddin said at an anti-ICERD forum in Kuala Lumpur today (Nov 25).

Free Malaysia Today reported that while the government had stated that it would not ratify the ICERD, Nasruddin said Putrajaya should also declare its stand on the other treaties and whether they would be ratified.

It reported that certain groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), were pushing for the government to ratify the remaining treaties.

“I brought this up as I do not want the matter to be manipulated and the government to ratify the other treaties,” he was quoted saying.

On Friday, the federal government said it would not ratify the ICERD, amid intense opposition from Malay groups and political parties.

The government, in a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, noted that it "will continue to defend the Federal Constitution which includes the social contract agreed upon by representatives of all races during the founding of this nation." 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at the United Nations General Assembly in September, said the government would ratify the remaining human rights conventions endorsed by the world body.