International Criminal Court: Be firm, Pakatan Harapan

International Criminal Court (ICC), another international instrument hoped to be the final defensive line for the victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression, was withdrawn from the accession of ratification by the very government deemed as the torchbearers of democratic reforms.

We the undersigned civil society organisations are appalled with the U-turns of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) led government, which repetitively fails to maintain a strong position on the questions of human rights and humanity, easily giving in to the voices of “vested interests”.

The treaty-based ICC, established in 2002, solely aims to end the impunity of perpetrators of the most serious crimes like genocides and crimes against humanity.

It is unbelievable and morally despicable that any individual or groups would oppose and put a stop to this noble endeavour.

The withdrawal of Malaysia, a country that has strongly stood in solidarity with the sufferings of minorities in countries like Myanmar, Bosnia and Palestine, from the ICC would make Malaysia’s condemnation of the atrocities against the Rohingyas ring hollow as we would not have a moral positioning and international instruments to even suggest that a crime against humanity has occurred.

Despite having the government’s machinery at its disposal, the PH government decided to surrender the aspirations of a new Malaysia to provocations spelled out by immature parties instead of disseminating the correct narrative to the people.

This is a lesson the Malaysian government should have quickly grasped soon after the racially stirred-up commotion over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

There should not be another retraction of ratification, laws and policies due to prejudicial religious and racial politics.

It is important to note that the treaty does not impact state rulers as their role and function are very different in the army, the police or the execution of foreign policy.

In the context of Malaysia, the Yang Dipertuan Agong is the head of state but not the head of government; therefore he is the formal but not the functional head of state.

Our system of constitutional monarchy is such that the king is not operationally responsible for any military decisions. Hence any allegations that the signing of such treaties would impede the powers of the monarch is false.

Furthermore, Islam or the Malay position would not be threatened by the signing and ratification of this treaty.

We would like to condemn any attempts made by any parties to undemocratically unseat the democratically elected government and prime minister.

The government today is moving Malaysia and its peoples towards the path of a maturing democracy, and justice must be given to its genuine intentions of reform.

Endorsed by:

1. Agora Society
2. Aliran
3. Beyond Borders
4. Childline Malaysia
5. Eliminating Deaths n Abuse in Custody Together (Edict)
6. Foreign Spouses Support Group
7. G25
8. Health Equity Initiatives
9. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)
10. KRYSS
11. Monsoons Malaysia
12. MyPJ
13. North South Initiatives
14. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak)
15. Pusat Komas
16. Sahabat Rakyat
17. Save Rivers
18. Sisters in Islam
19. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
20. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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