- Joined
- Dec 22, 2014
- Messages
- 5,344
- Points
- 0
Suhakam: Justification for call to burn Bibles a cause for concern
Posted on 15 April 2015 - 03:24
Amar Shah Mohsen
[email protected]
Print
PETALING JAYA: In calling for respect of the right to freedom of religion, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said the justification that the call to burn Malay-language Bibles was made in the defence of Islam, was a cause for concern.
Its chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said that as much as Suhakam understands and appreciates the sensitivity of religious issues in the country, it notes with disappointment and alarm the justification given by the government.
"We are of the view that every individual and community, regardless of differences in beliefs, enjoys the basic right to religion and the freedom to profess their faith as guaranteed under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
"It is of utmost importance for the government to combat acts including threats and harassment that promote religious extremism and hatred among different religious communities," he said in the commission's 2014 Annual Report.
Hasmy said that such a statement by the government should not have been condoned as it will only deepen misunderstanding and division among the general public.
Meanwhile, Hasmy added that Suhakam regrets that the concept of human rights has been misconstrued as a new threat to Islam.
"It is sad to see the universal concept of human rights has yet again been misperceived as 'deviant' values that are confined to the promotion of the right to freedom of religion or belief.
"This is not true as the universality concept which Malaysia, as a member of the United Nations, is obliged to uphold is the embodiment of values and principles that are subscribed to by the entire international community," he said.
Hasmy pointed that in its efforts to comply with these universal principles and norms, Malaysia has participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and accepted 150 out of the 232 recommendations made by the member states of the United Nations during the second UPR session.
"It is the primary role of the State to ensure that human rights are fully enjoyed by its peoples without discrimination," he added.
Posted on 15 April 2015 - 03:24
Amar Shah Mohsen
[email protected]
PETALING JAYA: In calling for respect of the right to freedom of religion, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said the justification that the call to burn Malay-language Bibles was made in the defence of Islam, was a cause for concern.
Its chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said that as much as Suhakam understands and appreciates the sensitivity of religious issues in the country, it notes with disappointment and alarm the justification given by the government.
"We are of the view that every individual and community, regardless of differences in beliefs, enjoys the basic right to religion and the freedom to profess their faith as guaranteed under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
"It is of utmost importance for the government to combat acts including threats and harassment that promote religious extremism and hatred among different religious communities," he said in the commission's 2014 Annual Report.
Hasmy said that such a statement by the government should not have been condoned as it will only deepen misunderstanding and division among the general public.
Meanwhile, Hasmy added that Suhakam regrets that the concept of human rights has been misconstrued as a new threat to Islam.
"It is sad to see the universal concept of human rights has yet again been misperceived as 'deviant' values that are confined to the promotion of the right to freedom of religion or belief.
"This is not true as the universality concept which Malaysia, as a member of the United Nations, is obliged to uphold is the embodiment of values and principles that are subscribed to by the entire international community," he said.
Hasmy pointed that in its efforts to comply with these universal principles and norms, Malaysia has participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and accepted 150 out of the 232 recommendations made by the member states of the United Nations during the second UPR session.
"It is the primary role of the State to ensure that human rights are fully enjoyed by its peoples without discrimination," he added.
