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PETALING JAYA: The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs (Comango) said it is cautiously optimistic of Malaysia’s new human rights pledges in the fourth universal periodic review cycle.

It remained critical, however, of backtracking in civil and political rights and the rights of other marginalised groups.

“We commend the government’s acceptance of recommendations on institutional reform to establish an ombudsman to check upon the executive, as well as to set up permanent independent bodies such as parliamentary select committees to oversee appointments to oversight institutions.

“Building autonomous, effective, accountable, and inclusive state institutions is fundamental in ensuring equality and non-discrimination for all, as well as the elimination of arbitrariness and impunity in administrative actions and public service delivery, thereby upholding the rule of law,” it said in a statement today.

Comango said it is encouraged by Malaysia’s full acceptance of recommendations to incorporate the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons in climate change strategies.

“However, we are concerned about the partially accepted recommendations, particularly regarding indigenous people’s land rights and freedom of expression.

“Legislative reform is thus crucial, as well as to repeal draconian laws that curtail freedom of expression, such as the Sedition Act,” it said.

While recognising the government’s commitment to develop a comprehensive legal and policy framework for the recognition and protection of refugees and asylum seekers, Comango said it is “deeply concerned about the ongoing rights violations faced by refugees and asylum seekers including arbitrary arrests, detention and refoulement”.

Comango welcomed the government’s acceptance of recommendations to ensure access to justice for migrant workers and improve the recruitment system, but said implementation remains lacklustre, pointing to the foreign workers centralised management system scandal.

It was also critical of the government’s handling of Malaysian mothers with overseas-born children, given the ongoing amendments to the Federal Constitution and previous explicit commitments.

“No attempts have been made to identify and address statelessness among Malaysian families through legal and procedural reforms, particularly those concerning children born before legal marriage, adoption, abandonment, and foundling cases,” it said.

The coalition said while progress has been made to address racial and religious discrimination, stagnation in areas such as protection of LGBT rights and discrimination against women is concerning.

“The government’s response in addressing child marriage still lags compared to other forms of violence against children.

“Recommendations to fully implement a national strategic plan in handling the causes of child marriage were partially accepted,” it said, adding that the government seems to be paying lip service to raise the minimum marriage age.

“The dialogue on child marriage has gone on long enough – it is time to ban it.”