UN concerns over human rights in Malaysia unsubstantiated, says Wisma Putra

The concerns expressed by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the human rights situation in Malaysia are based on unsubstantiated and one-sided information, says Malaysia's Foreign Ministry. In a statement, it said in the case of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the government had provided an extensive response towards the opinion adopted by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. "The government maintains that based on indisputable facts and legal basis, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not a political prisoner and was convicted after a fair and lengthy trial," it said today. Zeid Ra'ad, in his presentation of the Annual Report under "Agenda Item 2: Interactive Dialogue" with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 31st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 10, had commented on the human rights situation in Malaysia, with specific references to the limiting of democratic space in Malaysia and Anwar, a former opposition leader. Expressing regret on the comment, the ministry said the overall progress and efforts by the government in ensuring enjoyment of human rights in Malaysia were attributed to the government's steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law and human rights. It said the government also had an obligation to ensure peace, stability and harmony in the country, which were preconditions of the full enjoyment of rights. "Malaysia accords the utmost importance to the work of the Human Rights Council as an intergovernmental body that is guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. "Therefore, the government of Malaysia hopes the council will be balanced in its assessments of the human rights situation of all member states." – Bernama, March 12, 2016.]]>