KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan is calling on the ‘silent majority’ to voice up and sign a petition to support the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) through its online petition.
Its president, Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, said the party supported the ratification of ICERD as it would end racism in the country.
Lau said the party aimed to collect at least 50,000 signatures before the next parliamentary session.
He said a memorandum would be submitted to the government on the matter if the target was achieved.
“People can sign the online petition on our social media platforms.
“Our calls to end racial discrimination must be heard or we will have to accept the loud and angry voices of protest.
“About 90 per cent of countries in this world support the ratification of the ICERD. We cannot be seen as an anti-ICERD country.
“Therefore, I call on the silent majority to wake up and support ICERD.
“Gerakan, through our human rights bureau, will seek a meeting with Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and Suaram (Suara Rakyat Malaysia) to look for ways to colaborate to pursue the cause and advancement of human rights in general.
“We may also have a dialogue with Umno and Pas.
“People need to know the real meaning of ICERD because many have missunderstood the issue.
“We will also urge the two senators from the party to voice up on this issue in Dewan Negara.”
On Nov 23, the government announced that it would not be ratifying ICERD.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the government would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution and the agreed upon social contract enshrined within.
On Dec 8, more than 55,000 protestors from Umno, Pas and non-governmental organisations took part in an anti-ICERD rally at Dataran Merdeka here.