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Category FAQs Search : Child Protection in Malaysia

Question: Does Illegitimacy Status of Children Matter? A Review on Malaysian Perspectives

Answer: The “right to identity” is popularly known as the “right to have rights”. Birth registration and the right to a name
and nationality is a civil right of every child from the moment of birth. Once the birth is registered, all other rights of a child
will naturally flow in and it is the responsibility of States to not only honor these rights, but also to provide the necessary laws
and policies so that children have the necessary platforms to practice these rights. Children’s rights in Malaysia have
significantly progressed since Malaysia acceded to the United Nations Childs Rights Convention in 1995 and introduced the
Child Act 2001. Many initiatives to realize and uphold the rights of children have been advanced by both government and
civil society. However, Malaysia reserved Article 7 which demands for birth registration, the right to a name and nationality.
As a result of this, birth registration continues to be serious challenge in Malaysia. Hence, this paper intends to highlight the
factors, precisely children born as a result of artificial/assisted reproductive technology that may contribute towards the rise
of illegitimate births in Malaysia and suggests for judicial development followed by appropriate enforcement.

(Source: Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, 06 Jul 2021)

Source Link: http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/633/1/Does%20Illegitimacy%20Status%20of%20Children%20Matter_.pdf