A/HRC/40/53/Add.1
(h)
Ensure that Malaysia’s plural legal systems do not justify or enact
dehumanization, violations of dignity, or injuries to the physical or mental well-being
of women.
2.
Governance, cultural rights and respect for cultural diversity
91.
The Government should:
(a)
Ensure that cultural rights are guaranteed throughout Malaysia;
(b)
Increase the resources devoted to the culture sector to meet, at a
minimum, the UNESCO target of 1 per cent of expenditure;
(c)
Remove ethnic and religious affiliation from identity documents; and
refrain from equating religion with ethnicity;
(d)
Guarantee that in practice all persons – including Muslims, Muslim
minorities such as Shia and Ahmadis, religious minorities and non-religious persons –
are able take part in cultural life without discrimination, to have equal access to
cultural and religious sites, and to take part in cultural and religious practices, in
accordance with international standards; ensure the equal protection of their cultural
heritage and religious sites, and give further consideration to the proximity of
religious sites to relevant residential areas. Ensure that non-religious persons have
equal rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and freedom of assembly;
(e)
Review the current affirmative action programmes to determine how
they could be readjusted to reflect contemporary economic and other inequalities and
best contribute to inclusion and the benefit of all Malaysian citizens who need it,
regardless of ethnic, linguistic, religious or gender affiliation;
(f)
Ensure that both official discourse and official policy reflect commitment
to the full inclusion of all Malaysians on an equal footing and full recognition of their
contributions to Malaysia;
(g)
Investigate all allegations of violations of cultural rights by State and
non-State actors, and bring perpetrators to justice in accordance with international
standards;
(h)
Encourage the development and preservation of places for diverse
people, particularly youth, to engage with one another; promote the use of multiple
languages in schools, joint visits to diverse places of heritage, and sharing of
knowledge about the histories, world views and practices meaningful to diverse
Malaysians;
(i)
Review and rewrite school curricula, textbooks and teaching materials
and programmes for religion, “moral education”, “living skills” and all other subjects,
including those used in the formal and informal training of clergy and religious
educators, so as to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and reflect the
principle of gender equality;
(j)
Increase the diversity of teachers and include more cross-cultural
experiences and visits to cultural sites to increase cultural literacy. Ensure that
education promotes critical thinking.
92.
The Government of Malaysia should allocate more funds for the promotion and
protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including accessibility, particularly
in the areas of employment, education and housing, and provide these persons with
the necessary training to improve their employability and independence. One per cent
employment of people with disabilities in public services should be a minimum.
93.
Malaysia should:
(a)
Repeal all laws that directly and indirectly criminalize same-sex sexual
activities and cross-dressing;
(b)
Take immediate and effective measures to end hostility and intolerance
on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and provide meaningful
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