KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not set a specific time frame to ratify the remaining six international conventions on human rights, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya said a study was being done to look into the matter.
“I wish to inform that the government has not set a fixed time frame to sign and ratify the six international conventions as it depends on current needs.
“On the (related) legal issue, it depends on the (Federal) Constitution, and ethnic issues. We are still studying the matter in depth before making a decision to sign the conventions,” he said in reply to a Supplementary Question by Chang Lih Kang (PKR-Tanjong Malim) on the six international conventions and whether the government would stop the implementation of related laws that may be in violation of the conventions.
Marzuki said nevertheless, the government was actively carrying out study via the formation of six subcommittees to look into the issue.
“The subcommittees involve various ministries and agencies, including the Home Ministry and Human Resources Ministry.
“This in-depth study is important to ensure the existing terms in the international conventions do not contravene the country’s laws.
“The government has promised to sign the remaining six human rights conventions and efforts are being made to realise the government’s target (to sign the conventions),” he said.
Malaysia is a signatory to three out of nine international conventions on human rights, namely, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).