Govt urged to respect rights of Orang Asli: Suhakam

PETALING JAYA: The government has been urged to accede to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Its Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the move is necessary because its committee has noted that discrimination against "indigenous people is racial discrimination".
"They face many challenges and despite government's efforts, their human rights are frequently violated. The Orang Asli are denied control over their own lands and development based on their own values. They have also been the victims of forced displacement due to uncontrolled logging," he said in a statement in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today.
He added that every person is entitled to human rights without racial and ethnic discrimination.
"Racism and intolerance can take various forms, such as denying individuals the basic principles of equality to fuelling ethnic hatred that may in extreme cases lead to genocide," he said, adding that Suhakam believes in the importance of respecting the inherent rights of all people regardless of their racial background, ethnicity and origins.
This, he added was to ensure that they enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field on an equal footing.

Suhakam, he said, underscores that the 1Malaysia concept must be based on deep respect for all Malaysians and people within our borders, and the fervent conviction of the inherent rights of all.
"Equality must be felt, experienced and lived as a way of life in Malaysia, in accordance with principles of acceptance, mutual respect, humility, moderation and unity," added Razali.