Proham: Caning as violation of human rights

PROHAM is deeply concerned over a first group of syariah offenders which included twenty-two women among the 39 who received six strokes of the cane in closed quarters of the Kluang prison in Johor .

We are further alarmed that the  Johor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIJ) is actually debating for canning to be carried out in public or in mosques.

We respectfully understand that these punishments are in line with the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment, however PROHAM is of the view that it is time for Malaysia to review these laws including the Criminal Penal Code that allow for corporal punishment.

We do not support corporal punishment for both men and women irrespective of their faith. Furthermore Muslim women suffer an added discrimination as women of other faiths do not have to suffer this form of cruel punishment.    

Although corporal punishments were common forms of punishment in medieval society regardless of their religious faiths, such punishments are now regarded as cruel, degrading and inhumane treatment. Canning a man or a woman for any offence is archaic and inconsistent with a compassionate and just society.

Malaysia as a member of to the Human Rights Council should be inspired to uphold universal human rights principles and Proham calls on the Malaysian Government to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

PROHAM also urges the Government to immediately review and abolish all forms of punishment involving caning and proceed to comply with international human rights norms and principles on punishment.

Issued on behalf of PROHAM by Ms Ivy Josiah (Proham member), Datuk Kuthbul Zaman (Proham Exco) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary General)

June 17, 2013