Activists across Southeast Asia marked International Human Rights Day last week, on December 10, holding demonstrations demanding more government accountability throughout the region.
In Singapore, the Maruah human rights group urged the government to ratify two United Nations covenants: the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Maruah statement reads:
"Singapore still has much to do to build political institutions, judicial systems, and economies that allow ordinary people to live with dignity. The growth of hate speech against religious and racial minorities, the justification of rights violations in the name of combating terrorism, the clawing back of economic and social rights in the name of economic crises or security, and the failure to respect the right to privacy in the digital age, show the relevance of the 2 Covenants and the need to respect them."
In Malaysia, the Suaram human rights group denounced the government for refusing aid to Rohingya boat refugees from Myanmar. The Rohingya, who are mostly Muslims, are not recognized in Myanmar as citizens, forcing many of them to seek refuge in neighboring countries. In a press statement, SUARAM Adviser on Human Rights Day Kua Kia Soong wrote: (Courtesy of Global Voices)
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