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| (An officer canes a woman who violated strict Syariah laws. Source: AP Brunei, M’sia, Indonesia rated region’s worst violators of rights, religious freedom By A. Azim Idris | 8th December 2016 | @AzimIdrisHybrid MUSLIM-MAJORITY Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been listed as the region’s worst freedom of thought defenders in a 2016 report released by the International Humanist Ethical Union (IHEU). The Freedom of Thought Report published on Tuesday rated the three as countries where “grave violations” of rights and the treatment of the non-religious occur. “Grave violations” is the last on a list of five categories, and is the worst rating to be given to the countries surveyed. The other categories are “free and equal”, followed by “mostly equal”; “systemic discrimination”; and “severe discrimination”. The report noted that both Brunei and Malaysia have threatened the death sentence for apostasy, while Indonesia enforces lengthy prison terms for those convicted of “criticising” religion …for more, go to https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/12/brunei-msia-indonesia-rated-regions-worst-violators-rights-religious-freedom/ https://www.facebook.com/iheunion/videos/352033285542647/ |
Malaysia is 8th worst country for freedom of thought - Say a big 'Thank you' to racist Umno-led BN’s 61-year rule!
Malaysians have only the racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) governments to "thank" for the 8th worst country for freedom “honour”.
For 61 years, the BN federal government that was re-elected 13 terms before it was given the boot in the 14th General Election last May 9, have been using the racial and religious cards to cling on to power.
With the MCA, MIC and Gerakan working in cahoots with Umno, race and religion were exploited to the hilt by Umno to cling on to political and governing power with rural, especially Malay, support.
The Umno-led BN’s political folly just was not sustainable in a multi-racial multi-religious country like Malaysia - it was just a matter of time before the majority of progressive peace-loving Malaysians will muster enough courage to say “enough is enough”.
That, they did. Today, they have rejected and given the Umno-led BN the boot with Malaysians crying out and heralding in a New Malaysia.
But, will the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government and its leaders have the political will and courage to dump the politics of race and religion?
Time will surely tell … in a decade or so? Read on for the details of Malaysia’s dubious global honour:
"Malaysia is eighth worst country for freedom of thought, just above UAE, Pakistan
Published 3 days ago on 31 October 2018
By Zurairi AR
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| According to a report, Malaysia is ranked the 8th worst country for freedom of thought. ― Picture by Choo Choy May |
The report pointed out that the ten worst-performing countries uniquely share “a conservative vision of Islam is deeply embedded in the legal framework”, where the legislation is either entirely or partly derived from religious laws or authorities.
“Both Malaysia and Pakistan are among the countries which have suffered specific apparent anti-atheist and anti-‘blasphemy’ violence in recent years,” said the report.
However, it noted that that there is “a few signals of hope” the worst-performing countries, such as the regime change in Malaysia following the 14th general election.
Malaysia ranked only slightly better than these countries: Saudi Arabia (196th and last place), Iran (195), Afghanistan (194), the Maldives (193), Pakistan (192), the United Arab Emirates (191), and Mauritania (190).
The list was jointly-topped by Belgium, the Netherlands, and Taiwan which received perfect score.
Among highlighted new issues that have cropped since last year were the teachings of violent topics in Islamic education, and the still unresolved matter of child marriages in the country.
The report also noted “increased discrimination, harassment and violent hate crime against the LGBT community” during Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days in power, including the joint raid on alleged gay club Blue Boy in Kuala Lumpur.
It also highlighted the Shariah caning sentence against the single mother in Terengganu for offering sex work.
Responding to the report, advocacy group Malaysian Atheists and Secular Humanists (MASH) said that “religious-fueled intolerance, supplemented by hostile and violent sentiments from both state and non-state actors in recent years, have only increased in intensity”.
“Atheists and other minority groups, especially the LGBTQI+ community, are often forcibly stripped of their right to freedom of expression, being needlessly assailed by onslaughts of vitriol online and offline. Many go into hiding to avoid persecution,” its media officer Amelia Han said in a separate statement.
Starting out in 2012, the report is a worldwide survey of discrimination and persecution against humanists, atheists and the non-religious.
It is prepared from submissions received from experts, relevant parties, and members of IHEU, a worldwide umbrella of humanist, atheist, secular and similar organisations.
Last year, Malaysia was singled out and listed among seven countries worldwide that practise “active persecution” of the non-religious, following a so-called “hunt” against atheists starting earlier that year.
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Malaysia and South East Asia: Freedom of Expression and Information
May 7, 2014
ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
1. Most important 5 case law related to expression and information and why?
When understanding the nature of freedom of expression and information in Malaysia, it is important to note that almost all cases relating to freedom of expression have a central theme of not offending the 3 “R”s. The 3 “R”s refer to the issue of Race, Religion and Royalty. So long as any media organisation, politician or individual steers clear of the 3 “R”s, they will not attract any prosecution. Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of expression but in reality laws have been passed to curtail this freedom. Article 10 makes specific reference to the government’s ability to curtail this freedom. Some of the offending Acts of Parliament include:
A. SEDITION ACT
B. PRINTING PRESSES AND PUBLICATIONS ACT
C. COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA ACT … for more, go to https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/publications/malaysia-and-south-east-asia-freedom-of-expression-and-information/
Good observation and point.
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