Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong
November 23, 2018
ICERD Ratification Refusal Lamented—
Government is Expected to Promote Communications for Social Worries Elimination
Dong Zong and Jiao Zong lamented over the government’s refusal to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Here is their joint statement responding to the stance.
- ICERD was approved in 1965 by the United Nation and was formally put into practice the following year. As of January 2018, 179 countries had ratified the convention worldwide. Though it is one of the most ratified human rights conventions, currently 14 countries inclusive of Malaysia still refuse the ratification. The ICERD commits its members to the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of understanding among all races. It also requires its parties to outlaw hate speech and criminalise membership in racist organisations, among others.
- Dong Jiao Zong regrets over the government’s refusal to ratify the ICERD. We believe the government needs to ratify this convention as a gesture to show amenable commitment towards human rights as well as to be part of the practice which is believed to help in the promotion and improvement of human rights understanding in our country. With this knowledge, we urge the new government to ratify the said convention to show its determination and sincerity to make Malaysia a fair, well governed, incorrupt and legal nation.
- Nonetheless, since there are misunderstandings and disputes on the said convention at a societal level, the government is urged to eliminate them proactively by consolidating communicative exchanges and engaging public views. This way, the government will be able to collect and refer to public views and reach consensus for the prevention of deformation of this well intended act.
- In the Pakatan Harapan’s Election Manifesto, a Civic Harmony Consultation Council was promised as a platform for the elimination of racial conflicts and policy formation. Dong Jiao Zong beseeches the government to establish this council as soon as possible and forward this ICERD ratification for discussion in the to-be-established council. The significance of the council is twofold, firstly, to cohere common understanding for equality and secondly, to strive together for harmonious advancement.