Thursday, December 13, 2018

ICERD Absurd

The words are plain and easy to understand. Article 1(1) of ICERD sets the tone and it is a general proposition. Read it-

1. In this Convention, the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. 

The general proposition in Article 1(1) of ICERD and the rest of the ICERD document is qualified by Article 1(4). Read it-

4. Special measures taken for the sole purpose of securing adequate advancement of certain racial or ethnic groups or individuals requiring such protection as may be necessary in order to ensure such groups or individuals equal enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms shall not be deemed racial discrimination, provided, however, that such measures do not, as a consequence, lead to the maintenance of separate rights for different racial groups and that they shall not be continued after the objectives for which they were taken have been achieved.

Anyone with a reasonable mind will see that ICERD's Article 1(4) accepts the existence of a provision such as Article 153 in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

But, where are the reasonable minds in Malaysia?

2 comments:

walla said...

"But, where are the reasonable minds in Malaysia?"

Answer: Long seduced by the Game of Thrones....

walla said...

..too much?

https://tinyurl.com/y7z69b26