Day: September 22, 2017

UN wants govt to drop sedition charges against Zunar

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Source: FMT News

The United Nations (UN) wants Putrajaya to drop all sedition charges against Zunar and to lift the travel ban imposed on the political cartoonist last year. Image taken from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: The United Nations (UN) wants the Malaysian government to drop all sedition charges against political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque and lift the travel ban which was imposed on him last June.

UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Karima Bennoune, who was in Malaysia at Putrajaya’s invitation from Sept 11 to 21, expressed “deep concern” about the charges against Zulkiflee, better known as Zunar.

A report on her preliminary observations following her visit said Bennoune and other UN human rights experts would be following developments closely when Zunar’s trial resumes next week. Read more →

Unesco wants Kelantan to lift ban on Mak Yong

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Source: FMT News

UN Special Rapporteur Karima Bennoune says ‘Mak Yong’ dance should be celebrated and appreciated as it is among the oldest performing arts in the world. Image taken from FMT News.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kelantan government has been urged to lift its ban on public performances of the “Mak Yong” dance and other traditional artistic Malay art forms.

The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, said these cultures with rich tradition should instead be celebrated and appreciated as they were among the oldest performing arts in the world.

She said measures should also be taken to provide better understanding and explanation of the meaning of these practices and their long history in Malaysia, to overcome prejudicial views about them.

“Kelantan has a rich artistic tradition and the restrictions of other traditional art forms like wayang kulit, main puteri and dikir barat must also be lifted.

“Everybody should be able to enjoy it and people must learn to value and appreciate native cultures that have been around for centuries. Read more →