PROHAM RTD ON GE 13 & HUMAN RIGHTS

Proham is hosting a Roundtable Discussion on GE 13 & Human Rights as we belief that Human Rights must be at the heart of good governance and an important duty of elected MPs and state assembly representatives.

Therefore Proham encourages voters to give serious thought to human rights when casting the vote in GE 13. Reflect on candidates and political parties in how they have voiced human rights concerns or how they will champion and be pro human rights if elected to Parliament or state assemblies. We must apply a much higher standard of compliance to human rights for public officials    

Date:                            April 16, 2013 (Tuesday)

Time:                            7.30pm (refreshments) and RTD at 8pm till 10.30pm

Venue:                           Meeting Room, Dignity International, A-2-7 Pusat Perdagangan

Seksyen 8, Jalan Sg Jernih 8/1, 46050 Petaling Jaya (Tel 03-79310741)

Panel Speakers:

·         GE 13 & Human Rights, Guiding Framework - Tan Sri Simon Sipaun (Proham Chairman)

      ·         Malaysia & UN Conventions - Dr Lin Mui Kian (Former UN Coordination Specialist for Malaysia & Proham Hon Member

·         Death in Custody & Police Accountability – Mr Thevarajan R (Suram)

       ·         Ouster Clause & Judicial Independence- Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Exco)

       Panel is moderated by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary-General)

PLEDGE TO BE PRO HUMAN RIGHTS IN PARLIAMENT & STATE ASSEMBLIES

Proham has recently called on candidates & political parties to make a public commitment on the following 5 matters in the GE 13 election campaign. That they will pledge to champion following  5 aspects if elected:-

·         To establish a National Human Rights Action Plan which is adopted by the Government after discussion with civil society, government agencies and parliament

·         To ratify all the core human rights conventions such as the International convention on economic, social and cultural rights, the International convention on civil and political rights, International convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, International convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

·         To strengthen Suhakam by ensuring that the Annual Report of Suhakam is debated in Parliament and that a permanent parliamentary select committee on human rights is established to review the options of recommendations by the various government agencies and ministries

·         To establish a special customary land tribunal to review all the land rights cases highlighted in the Suhakam special report on the land rights of indigenous people based on the recently completed national enquiry of indigenous land of the natives of Sabah, Sarawak & Organ Asli

·         To establish an Independent Police Complaints Commission especially to investigate on death in custody, death by shooting and other complaints on the Police force as recommended by the Royal Police Commission in 2005.

·         To review all the current legislation and remove ‘the ouster clauses’ which restricts judicial review. This is especially needed to review section 9A of the Election Act and especially those that impact fundamental liberties.