Malaysia criticized for ‘grave violations’ against secularists

(TMI) – Malaysia has been given a “grave violations” rating by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) for its treatment of secularists as well as its fraying race relations which has ratcheted up tensions.

In its latest edition of Freedom of Thought report published today, the global umbrella body for humanist values also cited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech in May against secularism and liberalism as a threat towards Islam and the state.

Najib had branded humanism, secularism and liberalism as “deviant” and a threat to Islam and the state and had declared the country would not allow any Muslims the right to apostasy.

“This country is found to be declining due to alienating rhetoric against ‘atheists’ and ‘humanists’ voiced in 2014 by the prime minister, as well as ongoing legal disputes over the freedoms of religious minorities contributing to inter-religious tension,” it said.

A rating of “grave violations” is the highest among the five ratings in the report.

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-cited-for-grave-violations-in-treatment-against-secularists