The image shows the “Make the Right Real in Malaysia” logo of The OKU Rights Matter website and a Deaf Abilympian holding up his gold medal in his right hand and the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) in his left hand.

Harmonization of Domestic Legislation with the CRPD

Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010, highlighting the need to harmonize its domestic laws with the CRPD principles. This includes aligning various sectors such as education, health, and employment to protect the rights and prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Harmonization of Domestic Legislation with the CRPD

Page Contents

Introduction

Malaysia signed (2008) and ratified (2010) the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A closer look at Malaysia’s domestic legislation, including the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act 2008, reveals a need for its harmonization with the principles and provisions of the CRPD.

Harmonization of domestic legislation with the CRPD is an essential step towards upholding the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of living, and protecting persons with disabilities from all forms of discrimination, harassment and marginalisation.

Harmonization of domestic legislation with the CRPD cannot be confined only to the national disability law. Other laws that need to be harmonized with the CRPD include but are not limited to the infrastructure, systems and services pertaining to the following:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Human resources development
  • Employment
  • Housing and local government
  • Transport
  • Assistive technologies
  • Digital accessibility, internet access, communication and multimedia
  • Banking, insurance and other financial services
  • Built environment, including the street environment, buildings and public spaces and amenities
  • Justice
  • Domestic trade and consumer affairs
  • Enterprise development, including small, medium and social enterprises
  • Tourism and recreation
  • Public procurement
  • Rural development

Please refer to this page for links to the full document on CRPD, Optional Protocol and General comments.

Case Studies

Harmonization of national laws with the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities overview of trends in Asia and the Pacific (regional overview report) by UN ESCAP

Comparison Between Selected Countries

A Comparison of Disability Laws of Selected Countries in Asia (India, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Indonesia) compiled by Amar-Singh HSS and San Yuen Wah, updated 12 October 2023

Implementation and Monitoring of CRPD

Training Package on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by OHCHR

Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI) database on human rights observations and recommendations made by the international human rights protection system.

  • Covers Treaty Bodies, Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures
  • Use search filters for specific results, e.g., country: Malaysia, concerned persons/groups: persons with disabilities.