The Vice-President of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia said on Monday that LGBT rights should be excluded from a human rights declaration currently being drafted by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Lawyer Azril Mohd Amin wrote in a letter to a Malaysian newspaper:

‘There will be attempts by LGBTs, NGOs, and various other activists to include LGBT rights and the right of absolute freedom of religion in the declaration.

'Were ASEAN to endorse such rights in the final declaration, Malaysia as a Muslim-majority country would have to reiterate her strong objections; as such a policy clearly contradicts the principles enshrined in the religion of Islam.’

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