Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 17th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Malaysia
24 October 2013
Australia commends Malaysia’s legislative reform in the human rights field, particularly the repeal of the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance abolishing indefinite detention without judicial review. However, we note the proposed re-introduction of long-term detention without judicial review. We recommend Malaysia repeal the Sedition Act and sustain previous reforms in the human rights field.
We strongly welcome Malaysia’s review of the mandatory nature of the death penalty, particularly with regard to drug offences. We recommend that Malaysia finalises the review, maintains a moratorium and ultimately moves to abolish the death penalty.
We welcome the Cabinet’s decision to ratify the Rome Statue of the ICC and encourage Malaysia to promptly complete the ratification process. In this regard, we recommend Malaysia also ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture.
We acknowledge difficulties with birth registration in indigenous and refugee communities. Nonetheless, we recommend Malaysia ensures prompt registration of all new-born children.